In February, we responded to the European Commission public consultation on the mid-term evaluation of the third public health programme 2014-2020. The programme supports actions across the EU from public authorities, research and health institutions, NGOs, and international organisations. The total budget for the seven years of its duration is 449.4 million Euros.
We underlined the importance of the programme as it has helped improving health in the European Union through better cooperation between several Member States and health actors on many topics. In addition, it has funded several not-for-profit organisations for their core activities, which otherwise would have not been financed by any other actor and therefore they could have not been realised.
However, we have flagged ideas to improve the programme, both in terms of the financial structure (higher investments in projects and core-funding, and the possibility for NGOs to be allowed to apply for funding by showing their commitment to be financially independent in the year covered by the grant) and of the topics that should be covered. In particular, we highlighted the need to have increased attention towards prevention, to develop a strategy on chronic diseases, and to increase patients’ literacy and patients’ empowerment.
EFA response can be found here.