Research & Development Projects

Watch the video to find out more about our research activities

Materia Group welcomes collaboration with both individuals and organizations, whether public, private, or non-profit, that share our commitment to social impact, innovation, and community well-being.
If you have ideas or proposals for partnership, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us to explore potential ways of working together.

WeCare: Assistive technology integration and digital skills training for caregivers

KA210-VET-61F37532

WeCare empowers caregivers through digital skills and assistive technology integration, improving daily care routines and professional capacity. Our team leads training design and learning materials development.

Details

Programme / Call: KA210-VET Duration: 1 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2027 (24 months)

Coordinator: Novatex Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Training formal caregivers in using assistine technology for older adults, ethics, piloting.

Keywords: caregiver training, digital inclusion, assistive tech, vocational education
Click Here

Monit_Us: Managed Observations and Notifications to Improve Timely User Support

Eurostars 4-8854

Monit_Us aims to improve the quality of care and independence for older adults through real-time monitoring and intelligent notifications. Our team supports system design, user interface optimization, and pilot testing.

Details

Programme / Call: Eurostars 4

Duration: 1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sep 2028 (36 months)

Coordinator: HICS (Italy)

Our Role: End-user and ethics leader, contributing to smart monitoring and user-support innovation piloting and ethical compliance.

Keywords: assistive technology, user monitoring, early support, digital health, artificial intelligence
Click Here

PERMA: Permaculture Education for Resilience and Meaningful Ageing

2025-1-CY01-KA210-ADU-000357943

PERMA promotes sustainable lifestyles and community engagement among older adults through permaculture-based education. As project coordinator, we lead on concept design, partnership management, and impact dissemination.

Details

Programme / Call: ΕΕ 2025 — EAC/A08/2024

Duration: 1 Dec 2025 – 31 May 2027 (18 months)

Coordinator: Materia Group

Our Role: Coordinator – leading project management and adult education strategy

Keywords: permaculture, ageing, sustainability, adult education, resilience
Click Here

PROHEALTH: A novel technology-based care concept for personalized cognitive-motor therapy to counteract frailty and promote health

THCS 2023 - FP- 1516

PROHEALTH seeks to scale up a combined motor-cognitive (exergame) therapy delivered in home settings, using sensor-based systems and remote monitoring, in a large pragmatic randomized controlled trial (~300 participants) across multiple sites. The aim is to validate effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and broader adoption in healthcare systems.

Details

Programme / Call: Transforming Healthcare Systems 2023

Duration: 1 Jun 2024 – 30 May 2027 (36 months)

Coordinator: Dividat AS (Switzerland)

Our Role: We act as both research and end-user partner, managing all end-user testing phases in Cyprus: gathering user requirements, orchestrating usability studies, and conducting field trials to validate adoption in real-world settings.

Keywords: exergaming, frailty prevention, remote monitoring
Click Here

COCARE: A comprehensive concept for healthy ageing supported by digital solutions across the geriatric Continuum-of-Care

aal-2020-7-145-CP

COCARE is building a technology-driven ecosystem for geriatric rehabilitation, combining in-clinic, outpatient, and home-based solutions, with a software platform for assessment, training, and case management. It addresses the need for individualized, remote and continuous rehabilitation across the care continuum.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Programme 2020

Duration: 1 May 2021 – 30 Apr 2024 (42 months)

Coordinator: Dividat AS (Switzerland)

Our Role: We served as research and end-user partner, overseeing user requirement definition, usability testing, and implementing a 14-week RCT with 60 older adults. The trial assessed clinical and usability outcomes.

Keywords: telerehabilitation, digital continuum-of-care, exergames
Click Here

AURA-Care: Augmented and Virtual Reality-enabled communication, training, and data streaming in healthcare

Eurostars-3-Application 508

AURA-Care enhances healthcare training and communication using AR/VR technologies, improving skills, engagement, and efficiency for professionals and caregivers.

Details

Programme / Call: Eurostars-3-508

Duration: 1 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2025 (36 months)

Coordinator: Materia Group (Cyprus)

Our Role:Coordinator, ethics leader, business and commercialization strategy, and IPR work. We also led four iterative co-creation cycles, and conducted a 10-month longitudinal field trial involving multiple user groups (older adults, professionals, caregivers) to refine the solution.

Keywords: AR/VR, healthcare training, co-creation, ethics
Click Here

Intergenic: Supporting EU's twin transitions through intergenerational learning, exchanges of knowledge, and joint actions

KA2-2023-1-ES01-KA220-ADU-000155225

Intergenic connects youth and seniors to promote intergenerational learning, knowledge exchange, and collaborative actions, supporting Europe’s social and digital transitions.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA2

Duration: 01 Dec 2023 – 31 Nov 2025 (24 months)

Coordinator: Universitat Jaume (Spain)

Our Role: We led WP3 overseeing senior workshops, pilot testing, and curriculum development. We conducted two workshops with seniors and facilitated pilot intergenerational workshops.

Keywords: Intergenerational learning, senior engagement, curriculum development, pilot testing
Click Here

EDU-MENT: Education in Mental Health for Nurses in Home and Residential Care

KA220-VET-2FD42AAD

EDU-MENT empowers nurses with the skills and tools to identify and address mental health issues in patients receiving home or residential care, enhancing early detection and improving care quality.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA2

Duration: 1 Oct 2023 – 30 Sep 2026 (36 months)

Coordinator: UMIT TIROL (Austria)

Our Role: Materia Group serves as the research partner, designing a screening tool for nurses to detect mental health issues, hands-on training nurses in Cyprus and leading dissemination efforts.

Keywords: Mental health, nursing training, screening tools, care quality, dissemination leader
Click Here

Cognilearn: Empowering Cognitive Health through Innovative Training of the ReMember-Me system

DHU Twinning 101083929

Cognilearn supports cognitive health in older adults by transferring and training professionals on the ReMember-Me system, a technology for dementia detection and management.

Details

Programme / Call: Twinning Digital Health Uptake

Duration: 1 Jan 2024 – 30 Jun 2024 (6 months)

Coordinator: AgeCare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: We served as the originator, coordinating the robotic system ReMember-Me and transferring it to OIKANOS Homecare in Crete, Greece. We provided extensive training to ensure effective adoption.

Keywords: Cognitive health, dementia management, ICT-training
Click Here

PROGRAMMING: PROmoting GeRiAtric Medicine IN countries where it is still eMerGing

CA21122

PROGRAMMING strengthens geriatric medicine in emerging countries by mapping needs, training healthcare professionals, and promoting best practices across Europe.

Details

Programme / Call: COST-ACTION

Duration: 2 Nov 2022 – 1 Nov 2026 (48 months)

Coordinator: Marina Kotsani (France)

Our Role: Marina Polycarpou and Sotiria Moza represented Cyprus as Management Committee members, participating in all decisions and meetings, mapping geriatric medicine needs in Cyprus.

Keywords: Geriatric medicine, healthcare training, needs mapping, dissemination

Click Here

Clinic2Home: A social robot to facilitate COVID-19 patients in the transition from clinic to home

H2020-DT-2018-2020/H2020-DT-2018-1, Grant Agreement No: 825003

Clinic2Home improves patient-doctor communication for long-COVID patients by testing and localizing a social robot to support care during the transition from clinic to home.

Details

Programme / Call: DIH HERO: COVID-19 RESPONSE OPEN CALL 2021

Duration: 7/2022 – 3/2023 (9 months)

Coordinator: ConnectedCare Services b.v. (The Netherlands)

Our Role: We tested a pseudorobotic paradigm with 60 patients and healthcare professionals, mapped use requirements in Cyprus, and conducted two iterative piloting rounds.

Keywords: Social robot, COVID-19, patient-doctor communication
Click Here

Healthcare 4.0 Goes Mobile: Improving migrant integration through CLIL based mobile application

KA220-VET-A25D829A

Healthcare 4.0 Goes Mobile supports migrant healthcare professionals in elder care by providing CLIL-based mobile training to enhance both hard and soft skills and facilitate professional integration.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA220-VET

Duration: 1 Nov 2021 – 1 Jul 2024 (32 months)

Coordinator: Europcare GmbH (Germany)

Our Role: We assessed the training needs of migrant healthcare professionals and developed a curriculum and training videos integrated in a mobile app.

Keywords: Migrant integration, mobile learning, elder care, CLIL

Click Here

FRAILSAFE: Sensing and predictive treatment of frailty and associated co-morbidities using advanced personalized models and interventions

"H2020-PHC-2014-2015, Topic: PHC-21-2015: Advancing active and healthy ageing with ICT: Early risk detection and intervention"

FRAILSAFE enhances active and healthy ageing by using wearable and digital technologies to detect frailty early and provide personalized interventions for older adults.

Details

Programme / Call: H2020-PHC-2014-2015

Duration: 1 Jan 2016 – 30 Apr 2019 (42 months)

Coordinator: UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS (UoP) (Greece)

Our Role: Conducted user requirement analysis, led the evaluation WP, collected data from 300+ users, ensured Ethics Committee compliance, performed statistical and socioeconomic impact analyses using cost-benefit forecasts.

Keywords: Frailty, wearables
Click Here

HERO: Training program in elderly care and infectious disease prevention for the integration of refugees from the Middle Eastern and African countries

2020-1-CY01-KA204-066039

HERO equips refugees and migrants with skills for elder care, combining healthcare training with soft skills like communication, empathy, and confidentiality to support integration into Western societies.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA220

Duration: 1 Sep 2020 – 31 Dec 2022 (28 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: We coordinated the project, developed and piloted a curriculum for 25 participants covering both hard and soft skills, and promoted awareness and community support.

Keywords: Elder care, refugee integration, healthcare training, soft skills, inclusion

Click Here

Digi-Ageing: Overcoming Loneliness

2020-1-AT01-KA202-078084

Digi-Ageing develops tools and strategies to detect and address loneliness among older adults, enhancing social engagement and well-being through innovative screening and mapping methods.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA220-VET

Duration: 1 Oct 2020 – 31 Jul 2023 (34 months)

Coordinator: Hafelekar Management Consultancy Schober GmbH (Austria)

Our Role: We led the development of a screening tool detecting loneliness in older adults including the UCLA loneliness scale, a support mapping tool (ECOMAP) and a weighted checklist. We piloted it with 35.

Keywords: Loneliness detection, older adults
Click Here

Healthcare 4.0: Kick starting migrant integration through enriched CLIL

2020-1-DE02-KA202-007553

Healthcare 4.0 raised awareness of migrant workers’ challenges in healthcare, addressing cultural differences and high migration flows, and laid the groundwork for tailored training curricula.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus KA202-VET

Duration: 1 Sep 2020 – 31 Aug 2021 (12 months)

Coordinator: Europcare GmbH (Germany)

Our Role: AgeCare represented Cyprus, focusing on dissemination and awareness-raising about migrant workers’ challenges. The project paved the way for developing curricula to support migrant integration in healthcare.

Keywords: Migrant integration, healthcare training, CLIL, awareness
Click Here

GUIDed: Assisted living and social interaction platform

aal-2019-6-190-CP

GUIDed provides seniors with an AR-driven lifestyle assistant, supporting home device control, navigation, communication, climate management, and medication intake to enhance independent living.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2019

Duration: 1 Jan 2020 – 31 Dec 2022 (36 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Materia coordinated the project, leading ethical oversight, co-creation, and user trials. We conducted six iterative phases with 346 users across Cyprus, Poland, and Austria, ensuring effective adoption of the AR lifestyle assistant.

Keywords: Assisted living, AR, seniors, co-creation, user trials
Click Here

ReMember-Me: Smart assistant to prevent and detect cognitive decline, promote cognitive function and social inclusion among older adults

P2P/AAL/0419/0007

ReMember-Me supports older adults by providing a personalized cognitive assessment and tailored activity plans, connecting individuals, families, professionals, and the community to enhance cognitive health and social inclusion.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2019

Duration: 43835 – 30 Apr 2023 (42 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Materia coordinated the eight-partner consortium, participated in all testing phases, and led final validation. Activities included value-care cost-effectiveness analysis, and statistical analysis within a case-control study.

Keywords: Remote assessment, personalized care
Click Here

iCan: ICT-based assistant for everyday life

P2P/AAL/0419/0008

iCan provides seniors with a lifestyle services platform to access leisure and social activities, connect with others, play online games, and stream data from smart devices to support independent living.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2019

Duration: 1 Apr 2020 – 31 Mar 2023 (36 months)

Coordinator: GeoImaging Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Materia led end-user involvement and the evaluation work package, conducting two rounds of iterative evaluations in lab and field settings to ensure usability and effectiveness.

Keywords: Seniors, ICT, lifestyle services, evaluation, social connectivity
Click Here

FrAAgile: Platform for detecting and preventing frailty and falls

P2P/AAL/0218/0008

FrAAgile helps seniors detect and prevent frailty at home through assessments, serious games, a smart scale, and a smart dynamometer, promoting independent and safe living.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2018

Duration: 1 Jul 2019 – 30 Sep 2022 (39 months)

Coordinator: Ideable solutions SL (Spain)

Our Role: Materia contributed to the scientific development of the platform and conducted pilot testing with over 70 users to ensure usability and effectiveness.

Keywords: Frailty prevention, fall detection, seniors, serious games, home monitoring
Click Here

IOANNA: ICT-based solutions for everyday facilitations in shopping management and navigation

P2P/AAL/0217/0005

IOANNA provides seniors with a mobile app to find nearby shops offering elder-friendly products, navigate safely, and access an SOS feature for independent mobility.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2017

Duration: 2 Apr 2018 – 2 Jul 2021 (39 months)

Coordinator: GeoImaging Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Materia led end-user involvement and the evaluation work package, conducting two rounds of iterative evaluations in lab and field settings.

Keywords: Seniors, ICT, navigation, shopping, evaluation
Click Here

STAGE: Streaming of Theatre and Arts for old Age Entertainment

ΚΟΙΝΑ/ΑΑL/0215/01

STAGE offers older adults access to live-streamed cultural events and performances via tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and computers, including social networking tools to share opinions and foster cultural engagement.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2015

Duration: 1 Mar 2016 – 31 Aug 2018 (30 months)

Coordinator: National Research Council (Italy)

Our Role: Materia led ethics, user involvement, and partnership development with cultural foundations to stream arts content.

Keywords: Seniors, cultural engagement, live streaming, social interaction, ICT
Click Here

Many-Me: Social Interactive Care System to support the wellbeing of people living with dementia

ΚΟΙΝΑ/ΑΑL/0216/04

Many-Me is an ICT-based platform supporting dementia patients and their carers through patient-to-patient, patient-to-caregiver, and caregiver-to-caregiver interaction modules to enhance active, meaningful living.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2016

Duration: 1 Mar 2018 – 1 Mar 2020 (36 months)

Coordinator: MOB Maatschappelijk Ondersteuningsbureau (The Netherlands)

Our Role: Materia participated in all pilot tests with 40 end-users, ensuring usability and practical application.

Keywords: Dementia, social interaction, carers, ICT, seniors
Click Here

MEDGUIDE: ICT Integrated System for Coordinated Polypharmacy Management in Elders with Dementia

KOINA/AAL/0216/01

MEDGUIDE supports dementia patients in coordinated polypharmacy management through user-centered design, workshops, field trials, and system integration for real-life use.

Details

Programme / Call: AAL Call 2016

Duration: 1 Feb 2017 – 31 Jan 2020 (36 months)

Coordinator: ConnectedCare Services b.v. (The Netherlands)

Our Role: Materia led end-user involvement, field trials, system integration, and contributed to business development and commercialization strategy.

Keywords: Dementia, polypharmacy, seniors, ICT, user-centered design
Click Here

Active Listening in Youth Work

2018-2-CY02-KA105-001344

This Erasmus+ training course equipped 25 youth workers with advanced communication skills—including verbal, non-verbal, assertive, and non-violent methods—through hands-on workshops in local schools.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus+ KA105

Duration: 1 Aug 2018 – 28 Feb 2019 (8 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: IEEN contributed to planning, organisation, facilitation, and knowledge transfer across partners from Romania, Poland, Italy, and Spain.

Keywords: Youth work, active listening, communication, non-formal education
Click Here

United for Tolerance

2022-1-CY02-KA153-YOU-000069987

United for Tolerance promotes inclusivity and intercultural understanding among youth through workshops and awareness activities.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus+ KA153

Duration: 1 Oct 2022 – 31 Jul 2023 (10 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Coordinator

Keywords: Youth, inclusion, tolerance, intercultural understanding

Click Here

Soft Skills, Solid Start

2023-1-CY02-KA153-YOU-000131245

This Erasmus+ project develops soft skills in youth participants to improve employability and personal development through targeted training modules.

Details

Programme / Call: Erasmus+ KA153

Duration: 1 Jul 2023 – 30 Apr 2024 (10 months)

Coordinator: Agecare (Cyprus) Ltd (Cyprus)

Our Role: Coordinator

Keywords: Youth, soft skills, employability, training
Click Here