The EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, of which AOECS is a member, has issued an open letter to President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the immediate adoption of the 2025 EU4Health Work Plan and the guarantee of full-year operational funding for civil society organisations under existing agreements. The continued delay threatens vital public health initiatives and undermines the stability of organisations essential to delivering EU health objectives.
As a committed member of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, AOECS fully endorses the letter, which calls on President von der Leyen to publish the Work Programme and release the associated operating grants without further delay.
Recent informal signals suggest that the 2025 call for civil society operating grants under the EU4Health Programme may not be launched at all.
While no official decision has been made and the matter ultimately lies with DG SANTE, the consistency of these signals is deeply concerning.
“Although AOECS has not had access to operating grants in previous years, we are deeply worried that they may not be launched - especially in light of the current uncertainty. Operating grants play a critical role in ensuring that patient organisations like AOECS and its members can continue their work and remain actively engaged in public health discussions, representing the voice of patients,” explains Veronica Rubio, Secretary General of AOECS.
Read full open letter here