Loneliness has been called the new public health epidemic. Across the globe, communities are seeing the impacts of social isolation on both mental and physical health—higher rates of depression, weakened immune systems, even increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Solving this challenge requires more than a single program or intervention. It calls for networks of organizations working together to connect people with nature, social support, and community.
This is the story of RECETAS—a groundbreaking international initiative—and how PARTNER CPRM powered their effort to map, measure, and strengthen ecosystems addressing loneliness.
The Challenge: Complex Problems Need Collaborative Solutions
The RECETAS project launched across six cities—Barcelona, Helsinki, Marseille, Melbourne, Cuenca, and Prague—with a bold goal: reduce loneliness and improve mental well-being through Nature-Based Social Prescribing (NBSP).
Instead of relying solely on traditional healthcare interventions, local stakeholders explored community-level solutions like:
Outdoor social activities and green gyms
Park prescriptions and guided nature walks
Programs connecting residents with local volunteer and cultural groups
To succeed, each city needed a clear picture of its collaborative ecosystem:
Which organizations were already connected?
Where were the gaps and overlaps?
How could new partnerships improve community impact?
The Solution: Mapping and Measuring Networks with PARTNER CPRM
That’s where Visible Network Labs and PARTNER CPRM came in. Using social network analysis, our team helped local leaders:
Map the network of organizations addressing loneliness in each city
Visualize how partners were connected—and where they weren’t
Measure trust, value, and resource-sharing to identify high-potential partnerships
“Data alone doesn’t solve complex problems—relationships do. With PARTNER CPRM, cities like those in RECETAS can see the invisible web of partnerships, identify where collaboration is needed most, and take action to turn connection into collective impact.”
Key Insights From the Network Data
Visualizing the six city networks uncovered patterns that were invisible without data:
Ecosystems Were Diverse but Fragmented
Across all six cities, networks spanned environment, social services, health care, and public health sectors, with environmental and social service groups leading the charge.
(See Figure: Environment/ecology & social services were the most common sectors across all sites.)
Partnerships Led to Resource Exchange and Awareness
Up to 40% of organizations reported that collaboration led to resource sharing and increased public awareness, while roughly one in three said it improved their organization’s capacity to address loneliness.
(See Figure: Top reported outcomes include resource exchange, public awareness, and capacity-building.)
Opportunities for Stronger Trust and Involvement
Network analysis revealed variation in trust, influence, and resource contributions across cities.
While cities like Helsinki and Barcelona scored high in “In Support of Mission”, cities like Cuenca and Marseille had room to grow in partner influence and involvement.
(See Figure: Network scores on trust and resource contributions.)
Network Size and Complexity Varied Widely
Barcelona and Marseille had the largest, most complex networks, while Melbourne and Cuenca had smaller, more centralized ecosystems.
(See Figure: City network visualizations.)
These findings gave each city a roadmap for action—from strengthening weak ties to avoiding duplication of effort and developing targeted programs where trust and value were low but potential impact was high.
The Impact: Turning Data Into Action
By mapping and measuring these networks, RECETAS partners:
Formed new cross-sector collaborations between health, environment, and community organizations
Developed new programs for mental health and social prescribing
Reduced duplication of effort, freeing resources for new initiatives
Gained a shared language for collaboration, improving communication with funders and city leadership
In other words, data led to action—and action led to stronger, more resilient ecosystems to combat loneliness.
Lessons for Network Leaders
The RECETAS experience offers three key takeaways for any organization tackling complex social challenges:
Map before you move – Understanding your ecosystem is the first step to strategic collaboration.
Measure relationships, not just participation – Trust and perceived value predict long-term network success.
Turn insights into action – Use data to focus partnerships, avoid duplication, and demonstrate impact.
See Your Network Like Never Before
As RECETAS shows, complex problems demand networked solutions. PARTNER CPRM helps you:
Visualize and measure your ecosystem in real time
Strengthen partnerships where trust and value are low
Communicate collective impact with confidence
See the connections that drive change.
Request a Demo of PARTNER CPRM and discover how to turn relationships into results.
