Advancing wellbeing through policy innovation: The new Wellbeing Economy Toolbox

The JA PreventNCD has taken an important step forward in connecting health, equity, and sustainability through policy innovation with the launch of the Wellbeing Economy Toolbox, a dynamic and participatory platform developed by the team working on the Wellbeing Economy within the Health in All Policies work package.

The toolbox provides a comprehensive overview of policy instruments, case studies, and best practices that put wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. It supports policymakers, civil society, and researchers across Europe in identifying how existing policies already reflect wellbeing-oriented principles and how these can be further developed and implemented.

The Wellbeing Economy Toolbox is designed as a living resource, evolving through collaboration and user contributions. It allows users to explore wellbeing-oriented initiatives across Europe through an interactive map and structured database, showcasing how diverse policies can reinforce each other to improve population health and social equity.

Each policy entry includes contextual information describing its objectives, governance level, and implementation lessons. This helps users understand both the enabling factors and the challenges that come with adopting a wellbeing economy approach.

The toolbox was created by Aurore Fransolet, a postdoctoral researcher in ecological economics at Sciences Po, holder of the Just Transitions Chair at the Université libre de Bruxelles and visiting professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Éloi Laurent, senior economist and professor at Sciences Po and visiting professor at Stanford University.

Reflecting on the journey, Éloi Laurent shared that they are:

"proud of this collective accomplishment and have high hopes that the toolbox will serve as a bridge between research and action, supporting policymakers and citizens in reimagining progress through the lens of wellbeing."

Aurore Fransolet emphasized how the platform is both aspirational and practical:

"The Toolbox helps translate the concept of a wellbeing economy into tangible examples and actionable tools. By highlighting existing and emerging policies, it shows that the reinvention of our economic system has already begun, and suggests that spreading these inspiring practices can accelerate and strengthen the transition to a wellbeing economy."

The toolbox continues to expand, with new policies and user contributions being added regularly. It is already being used as a practical entry point for governments and institutions seeking to apply wellbeing principles in budgeting, planning, and evaluation, ensuring that progress is measured not only by economic growth but also by health, equity, and quality of life.

The JA PreventNCD team congratulates Aurore and Éloi on the launch of this important tool and their outstanding contribution to advancing wellbeing-oriented policymaking across Europe.

Explore the Wellbeing Economy Toolbox by clicking here.