Adoption of the 2026 EU4Health Work Programme

Today, the third draft of the 2026 EU4Health Work Programme (WP) presented by the European Commission was adopted by Member States.

This revised version reinstates operating grants (OGs) for EU health civil society organisations, including EU patient organisations, although the allocated amount remains extremely limited: €1.8 million, compared to €9 million in 2024. Nevertheless, this represents an important step forward, following the complete withdrawal of OGs in 2025, their absence from the first draft of the 2026 WP in July, and the €1.3 million proposed in the second draft.  

This outcome was made possible thanks to the strong commitment and support of a group of Member States, of Members of the European Parliament, as well as the collective mobilisation of health civil society and patient organisations and the broader European civil society community. By standing together, we have highlighted the serious consequences of insufficient operating funding for the sustainability of our organisations, for our ability to meaningfully bring patients’ voices and needs into EU legislative and policymaking processes that affect them, and ultimately, for public health. 

From EPF's perspective, three important points must be emphasised. 

1. We are deeply concerned about the delayed and partial responsiveness to member states’ concerns throughout this process. Several countries had repeatedly called for the inclusion of OGs since at least March 2026, and 17 member states abstained or voted against the first draft in July on this basis. Yet, despite these repeated requests, the Commission's response has remained largely insufficient, with an allocation of just €1.8 million. Meaningful consultation requires an open, transparent and inclusive decision-making process, in which contributions received – especially from national health ministries, which ultimately finance EU4Health – are genuinely considered and reflected in the final outcome. 
2. The timing of the adoption process also raises serious concerns regarding predictability and good governance. Between 2022 and 2024, WPs were adopted before the start of the year they covered, allowing for adequate planning. For the second consecutive year, however, the Commission presented its first draft for a vote only in July, already creating significant delays. This effectively placed member states under considerable pressure to accept an unsatisfactory compromise a few months later, given the financial risks of further delays. We sincerely hope that this situation will not be repeated, and that a more predictable and timely process will be ensured in the future. 
3. While we welcome the reinstatement of operating grants, the funding allocated remains far from sufficient to address the serious financial difficulties faced by EU patient organisations. They provide the stability, continuity and organisational capacity needed to work under sustainable conditions, meaningfully engage in EU policymaking and stakeholder fora established under EU legislation, consult and represent patient communities, and gather evidence to inform better health policies. 

We remain committed to working constructively with member states and the European Commission on the implementation of the 2026 WP and, crucially, on the 2027 WP, the final year of the current EU4Health programme, as well as the upcoming 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).  

We hope that the EU will translate its commitments to public health and the EU Civil Society Strategy into concrete action, backed by adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for health civil society organisations. Our ability to represent patients, contribute to better health policies and strengthen democratic participation in EU decision-making should not remain uncertain year after year.