The SHIELD Project is an innovative initiative aimed at transforming healthcare management through a holistic, cross-sectoral, and patient-centered approach. By integrating traditional healthcare practices with cutting-edge ICT tools—such as educational games (edugames) and a tailored digital platform—the project promotes healthy living, personal empowerment, and sustainable economic development. SHIELD addresses pressing global health challenges like obesity, diabetes, and related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through a multidimensional strategy that combines health promotion, legal and data privacy safeguards, education, business incubation, and stakeholder collaboration. Central to SHIELD is its community-based, cross-border (CB) model grounded in the One Health concept, fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, social workers, educators, and entrepreneurs. The project not only enhances the management and prevention of diet-related NCDs but also supports behavioral change and lifestyle improvement across regions facing similar health and dietary patterns, such as Puglia, Basilicata, and Greece

The project's innovative edge lies in:

• A systemic, multidimensional approach to NCD prevention and management;
• The integrated use of ICT, including a participatory SHIELD Platform and engaging edugames;
• Startup incubation and testing of new public-private partnership (PPP) models;
• A collaborative framework that reinforces CB cooperation and equitable access to healthcare.

SHIELD's outcomes aim to strengthen healthcare resilience, promote sustainable social innovation, and empower individuals and communities for long-term health improvements, aligning directly with SO4.5 goals of enhancing primary and community-based care.