The Equal Treatment Program, in which the Research Centre for Biopolitics participated, received the International Zero Project Award 2026.

The Equal Treatment program was internationally distinguished with the Zero Project Award 2026, following the evaluation of 586 nominations from 93 countries. The program involved seven partners from five countries. The award concerns the field of equal access for people with neurodevelopmental disorders to secondary and tertiary healthcare services, recognizing the project’s innovation, evidence-based impact, and potential for further scaling. The inclusion of Equal Treatment among the 75 internationally awarded practices for 2026 highlights its significance and contribution to advancing universal access to healthcare.

The Research Centre for Biopolitics of Panteion University, directed by Professor Dimitris Lambrellis, participated in the program as a strategic partner, providing scientific support and contributing to the research, design, and implementation of the interventions. In this context, the Centre collaborated with KAT General Hospital, Evangelismos Hospital, and Papageorgiou Hospital, aiming to improve care procedures, enhance accessibility, and train healthcare professionals on issues concerning people with neurodevelopmental disorders.

The Zero Project Awards constitute one of the most important international initiatives recognizing solutions that promote accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities. The evaluation process is conducted through a multi-level assessment, involving 400 experts with and without disabilities from around the world, and is based on strict criteria of innovation, measurable impact, and potential for adoption across broader social and healthcare systems. The award therefore represents a substantial recognition of the quality and value of the project.

With the award of Equal Treatment at the Zero Project Conference 2026 in Vienna in February 2026, the program further strengthens its international dimension, contributing to the exchange of expertise and the promotion of practices that improve access to and the quality of healthcare services for people with disabilities. This distinction constitutes an important milestone for the Research Centre for Biopolitics, Panteion University, and the collaborating organizations.

The announcement of the results took place on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on 3 December 2025. More information can be found here.