PRESS RELEASE
WHIS and Il Tulipano Sign Landmark International MoU Advancing Social Prescribing Through UNESCO Heritage, Culture, and Nature
London, UK / Campania, Italy – May 2026 — World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Il Tulipano Social Cooperative, establishing a strategic international collaboration to advance social prescribing through culture, heritage, and nature-based approaches.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in the continued expansion of WHIS Chapters globally and builds on the successful launch of WHIS Italy in Bologna in 2025. It further strengthens collaboration with the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, supporting a shared mission to scale innovative, community-led health solutions worldwide.
At the heart of this partnership is Il Tulipano’s Parvula Domus – Cultural and Social Farm, uniquely located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pompeii Archaeological Site one of the world’s most significant cultural landmarks. This extraordinary setting provides a powerful foundation for pioneering social prescribing initiatives that connect people to history, environment, and community.
Through this MoU, the Parties will collaborate on:
- Co-developing “Walking Towards Wellbeing” pathways across cultural, archaeological, and green environments
- Advancing the “Tulipano Art Friendly” cultural welfare model
- Delivering joint research on mental health, wellbeing, and neurodiversity
- Engaging key institutional and academic stakeholders, including the University of Naples Federico II and the University of Naples Parthenope
Gareth Presch, CEO & Founder of WHIS, said: “This partnership reflects the direction of travel for WHIS globally. As we expand our Chapters, including the strong foundations established through WHIS Italy since our launch in Bologna, we are seeing increasing demand for approaches that connect health with culture, heritage, and nature. Collaborating with Il Tulipano in such an iconic UNESCO setting demonstrates how local innovation can drive global impact through social prescribing and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance.”
Donata Bruno, Head of the Board of Directors of Il Tulipano Social Cooperative, said: “Being part of this international collaboration is an important step for our community and our work. At Parvula Domus, we are creating inclusive, living spaces where culture, nature, and care come together particularly supporting people with neurodiversity. Partnering with WHIS allows us to share our model beyond Italy and contribute to a growing global movement for social prescribing rooted in dignity, participation, and wellbeing.”
This MoU establishes a two-year, non-binding framework focused on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared learning. It reflects both organisations’ commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, cultural heritage, and the promotion of psychophysical wellbeing.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact: World Health Innovation Summit CIC (WHIS) info@whis.world
Il Tulipano Social Cooperative www.iltulipanocoop.org