STYPA 2026 - Health Literacy
Health Literacy: Empowering young patients to shape tomorrow’s healthcare
Skills Training for Young Patient Advocates (STYPA) 2026 – Applications Open
The Skills Training for Young Patient Advocates (STYPA) is back for 2026, and this year is particularly special!
STYPA is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of empowering young patients to become strong advocates for their communities and influential voices in healthcare policy across Europe.
To celebrate this, young people will be more involved than ever before. The EPF Youth Group worked closely with the ideas shared by participants during STYPA 2025, reviewing the topics that young advocates felt were most urgent for the future of healthcare. Based on this brainstorming and feedback, the Youth Group helped shape the theme for STYPA 2026.
Interested in applying? Let’s go!
What is STYPA?
STYPA is EPF’s flagship training programme for young patient advocates aged 18–30, offering a tailored, high-quality learning experience designed to strengthen advocacy skills and empower young people living with chronic conditions.
Over several months, participants engage in a blended learning journey, combining expert-led sessions, peer learning, and practical advocacy training. The programme equips young advocates with skills in leadership, policy and advocacy, communication and patient engagement.
Participants also become part of a European network of young patient leaders, building connections that continue long after the programme ends.
What is the topic of STYPA 2026?
Health Literacy: Empowering young patients to shape tomorrow’s healthcare
Health literacy is becoming increasingly important in today’s complex healthcare landscape. Patients are expected to navigate large amounts of information, understand treatment options, interpret digital health tools, and make informed decisions about their care. For young people living with chronic conditions, these challenges often begin early in life as they balance managing their health with school, work, and social life.
At the same time, the digitalisation of healthcare and the spread of misinformation online make it more important than ever to ensure that patients can identify reliable health information, interpret medical evidence, and communicate responsibly about health issues.
STYPA 2026 will equip young patient advocates with the skills to:
- understand and interpret health information and research claims
- recognise and respond to misinformation and disinformation
- communicate health information clearly and responsibly
- advocate for policies that strengthen health literacy in healthcare systems
- promote equitable access to trustworthy health information across Europe
What are the main goals of the course?
STYPA 2026 aims to:
- Build core advocacy skills in leadership, policy engagement, and communication
- Strengthen understanding of health literacy as a key element of patient empowerment and health policy
- Equip young advocates with practical tools to navigate complex health information and address misinformation
- Encourage peer learning and collaboration between young patient advocates from across Europe
- Support participants in creating real advocacy impact within their communities and organisations
The training will empower participants to become confident leaders in patient advocacy and contributors to healthcare decision-making.
When and where?
The STYPA 2026 programme includes several learning phases:
- Introduction webinar – June 2026
- Face-to-face training – Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July 2026 in Brussels, Belgium
- Follow-up online workshops & Closing Celebration – September to October 2026
*Please note that EPF will cover the travel and accommodation costs for all accepted participants.
Who is it for?
Capacity: 25–30 participants
Age range: 18–30 years old
Participants are invited from European countries, particularly EU Member States and Western Balkan countries with EU candidate or potential candidate status.
The programme is open to:
- Patients living with a chronic or lifelong condition who are affiliated with a patient organisation
- Patients living with a chronic or lifelong condition who are not affiliated with a patient organisation
- Employees or volunteers of patient organisations
The programme can sponsor one family member or carer per participant if needed.
Participants should ideally:
- Have a strong level of English (C1 minimum)
- Be passionate about patient rights and advocacy
- Have a basic understanding of health policy or patient involvement
- Be interested in learning new advocacy and communication skills
- Be willing to share their knowledge within their communities and Are willing to be part of a large patients’ rights movement
- Be available for the entire duration of the training
- Have valid travel documents
*EPF will strive to achieve a balanced representation of nationality, age, health condition, gender and social-economic background.
How to apply?
Interested in joining the next generation of young patient leaders?
Apply by completing and submitting the STYPA 2026 application form.
Application deadline: 26th April 2026
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
stypa@eu-patient.eu