NESTLER – One Health Sustainability Roadmap

A strategic framework for advancing One Health collaboration between the European Union and Africa — integrating human, animal, and environmental health for sustainable development.

The NESTLER One-Health Sustainability Roadmap for EU-Africa Partnership offers a structured and forward-looking framework to operationalize the One Health approach in the context of EU-Africa collaboration. Grounded in scientific evidence and guided by participatory engagement, it articulates a multi-level strategy that links health, agriculture, environment, and society. The roadmap is not a static blueprint but a dynamic guide designed to adapt to evolving risks, stakeholder needs, and political realities. It outlines concrete pathways for strengthening governance, enhancing research and innovation, and building institutional capacity to address health threats at the human–animal–environment interface. With emphasis on inclusivity, resilience, and contextual relevance, the roadmap aspires to bridge global aspirations with local action.

At its core, the roadmap seeks to achieve three interlinked objectives: (1) to promote integrated governance and policy coherence across sectors and borders; (2) to enhance transdisciplinary capacities for surveillance, prevention, and response; and (3) to empower communities and institutions through equitable partnerships and knowledge exchange. Priority areas include antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic disease surveillance, sustainable food systems, and ecosystem restoration. These priorities are informed by both scientific urgency and stakeholder consultations, ensuring relevance to regional needs. Emphasis is placed on systems thinking, participatory methodologies, and digital innovation as tools to translate One Health principles into tangible impact.

One - Health

The roadmap envisions a future in which EU-Africa cooperation on One Health evolves into a mature, reciprocal partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared knowledge, and co-created solutions. It calls for a paradigm shift from donor–recipient models toward joint innovation ecosystems that harness the unique strengths of both regions. By aligning institutional architectures, investing in regional platforms, and fostering inclusive research networks, this strategic vision aims to build resilience against current and future health threats. Ultimately, the roadmap positions One Health as a catalyst for broader societal transformation, supporting sustainable development, climate adaptation, and health equity on both continents.

Core Objectives

  • Promote integrated governance and policy coherence across sectors and borders.
  • Strengthen transdisciplinary capacities for surveillance, prevention, and rapid response.
  • Empower communities and institutions through equitable partnerships and knowledge exchange.

Strategic Priorities

  • Surveillance & Early Warning: Build connected systems for detecting zoonotic and environmental health threats..
  • Research & Innovation: Foster EU-Africa R&I ecosystems focused on AMR, climate-health, digital agriculture, and ecosystem resilience.
  • Workforce Capacity: Develop One Health curricula, certification programs, and professional exchanges.
  • Digital Transformation: Create interoperable data systems, ethical data sharing frameworks, and AI-driven analytics.
  • Sustainable Food Systems: Promote agroecology, food safety, and nutrition security through cross-sector action.
  • Environmental Protection: Embed nature-based solutions, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation in health policies.
  • Community Engagement: Empower local actors in risk detection, communication, and co-design of interventions.

Partnerships & Governance

  • Strengthen institutional coordination between EU agencies and African bodies
  • Promote public-private partnerships for digital agriculture, and sustainable food chains.
  • Involve NGOs, academia, and indigenous knowledge systems in co-creation and implementation.

Digital & Ethical Frameworks

  • Establish interoperable digital infrastructures for real-time data sharing.
  • Ensure data sovereignty, transparency, and ethical AI in cross-border collaborations.

Capacity Building & Education

  • Integrate One Health principles into higher education and vocational training.
  • Support regional centers of excellence and South-North academic partnerships.
  • Promote gender equity and youth empowerment within One Health programs.

Vision to 2030 and Beyond

A resilient, inclusive, and co-created EU-Africa partnership that transforms One Health from a scientific concept into a global movement for sustainable well-being and health security.