EUREGHA’s contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on EU4Health Annual Work Programme
Opinions on the EU4Health Work Programme have been collected by the European Commission to help define key priority areas for EU action in health moving forward and EUREGHA – the European Regional and Local Health Authorities – has advanced a coordinated contribution reflecting the values and needs of its members.
The EU4Health Programme, adopted in March 2021, is the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to build a strong European Health Union by supporting legislative and non-legislative Union health priorities.
EUREGHA’s response highlights the pivotal role of practice sharing in improving health promotion, through exchange of knowledge and promotion of cross-border cooperation between local and regional authorities (LRAs) on health priorities.
What we highlighted in our EU4Health Work Programme 2026 Consultation:
Avoid forced prioritisation – no area of health systems should be deprioritised; balance & coherence are key.
Strengthen public health, promotion/prevention – in particular health literacy to boost citizens interaction with health systems.
Maintain/reinforce ongoing priorities – cancer must remain central, with stronger attention to CVDs/other NCDs. Mental health also requires a more explicit – sustained focus, moving from fragmented initiatives to structured action.
Support systems reform & implementation – EU4H should help regions scale up reforms, linking EU policy priorities with delivery and investing in long-term transformation beyond pilot projects.
Enable exchange of practices between implementers (especially LRAs) – peer learning, site visits, twinnings, and support to network activities such EUREGHA’s are cost-effective, high-impact tools to translate EU policy into practice.
Ensure fair & realistic conditions for participation – simplify access, adjust co-funding rules that exclude less resourced actors, and improve the timing of WP and call publications, which often leave insufficient space to prepare and engage.
Consolidate & sustain results – the next EU4Health must focus not only on new pilots but on capitalising existing actions: evaluation, dissemination, transfer into health systems, and continuation of the most impactful activities. Without this, progress risks being lost.
Ensure civil society engagement – Recognising the importance of many health NGO partners, EUREGHA backs the reintroduction of NGO operating grants despite not having been a recipient.
Adopt a holistic approach – addressing health at its intersections with culture, climate change, social policy.
As the only reference network for European Regional and Local Health Authorities, EUREGHA will continue to support exchanges and bring regional insights into wider EU health and investment discussions. In line with our Manifesto for 2024 and beyond, we continue to advocate for a more strategic, inclusive, and health-sensitive approach to EU investment, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, integrated approaches, and innovative methods to mainstream health in all policies.
