Leading EU Public Health MEPs endorse the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance's call for sustainable support

Brussels, 14/05/2025 - The EU4Health Civil Society Alliance (EU4Health CSA) welcomes the endorsement of leading EU Public Health MEPs for its recent open letter addressed to President Ursula von der Leyen. The letter calls for the urgent adoption of the 2025 EU4Health Work Plan and the continued provision of operating grants for health civil society organisations. 

Seven prominent Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), representing diverse political groups and countries, have voiced their support to the CSA’s call to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of civil society contributions to public health in Europe. 

Endorsing MEPs: 

• Adam Jarubas - Chair, Committee on Public Health (EPP, Poland) 

• Tilly Metz - Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Health (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) 

• Stine Bosse - Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Health (Renew Europe, Denmark) 

• Romana Jerković - Vice-Chair, Committee on Public Health (S&D, Croatia) 

• Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis - Coordinator, Committee on Public Health (S&D, Lithuania) 

• Tomislav Sokol - Coordinator, Committee on Public Health (EPP, Croatia) 

• Ondřej Dostál - Member, Committee on Public Health (Independent, Czechia) 

The open letter draws urgent attention to the continued delay in publishing the 2025 EU4Health Work Plan and the resulting gap in operating grant funding. Without urgent action from the European Commission, NGOs risk downsizing or closing, threatening the delivery of core EU4Health objectives and stalling progress on critical priorities, such as cancer and non-communicable diseases, mental health, pandemic preparedness, and health equity. The letter also warns of the erosion of trust between EU institutions and civil society partners, undermining years of cooperation and commitment to participatory health governance. 

The EU4Health CSA urges the European Commission to immediately adopt the 2025 EU4Health Work Plan, ensure full-year operational funding under existing Framework Partnership Agreements, and award grants directly to the organisations that are already approved, avoiding further delays and disruptions.  

These actions are vital to ensure civil society organisations can maintain their operations, expertise, and contributions to a robust European Health Union.  

About the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance  

EU4Health CSA brings together over 30 European health NGOs, uniting expertise across patients’ rights, public health, chronic disease, mental health, and more. The Alliance works to strengthen cooperation, policy dialogue, and civil society’s role in shaping a stronger European Health Union. 

Read the full open letter.