Subject: Fw: EU4Health CSA statement – support needed on EU4Health 2026 WP & MFF 2028–2034
From: "Karmen Joller - SOM" <[email-masked]>
To: "Liis Paas - SOM" <[email-masked]>, "Info - SOM" <[email-masked]>, "Agne Nettan-Sepp - SOM" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:51:20 +0200

Karmen Joller
sotsiaalminister
Sotsiaalministeerium

  _____

From: Milka Sokolovic <[email-masked]>
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2025 7:19:17 PM
To: Karmen Joller - SOM <[email-masked]>
Cc: Sara Bertucci <[email-masked]>
Subject: [DKIM katki] FW: EU4Health CSA statement – support needed on 
EU4Health 2026 WP & MFF 2028–2034

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Dear Karmen,

I hope this message finds you well.

Following our brief but very pleasant exchange at RC75 in Copenhagen, I 
wanted to follow up and share the attached statement from the EU4Health 
Civil Society Alliance, which has already been transmitted to national focal 
points and Permanent Representations in Brussels.

I would first like to sincerely thank you for the openness you have shown. 
This is both encouraging and important for us, particularly in a year that 
has proven exceptionally challenging for EU-level health civil society.

As discussions move forward on the EU4Health 2026 Work Programme, I very 
much hope we can continue to count on Estonia’s voice to help ensure that 
the absence of operating grants in 2026 does not become a structural 
precedent. As you may know, the consequences of the 2025 decision are 
already being felt, with closures and significant downsizing across the 
health CSO community.

We are encouraged by the constructive signals received from a number of 
Member States, and we believe that a continued, coordinated push at this 
stage could make a decisive difference – both for reinstating operating 
grants under EU4Health and for safeguarding a strong healht and civil 
society dimension in the next MFF.

Should it be useful, I would of course be very happy to brief you further or 
exchange views at your convenience.

With many thanks once again, and warm regards,

Milka

 <https://twitter.com/epha_eu> 
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-public-health-alliance/> 
<https://www.youtube.com/@epha_eu>

Dr Milka Sokolović

Director General

Rue de Trèves 49-51,1040 Brussels, Belgium

 <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked] | +32 474 287 
289

 <http://www.epha.org/> www.epha.org | @milkasokolovic.bsky.social

I sometimes send emails outside of working hours,
as that works for me. Feel free to read or reply
at a time that works for you!

From: Sara Bertucci <[email-masked]>
Sent: Friday, 12 December 2025 10:08 am
To: [email-masked]
Cc: Milka Sokolovic <[email-masked]>
Subject: EU4Health CSA statement – support needed on EU4Health 2026 WP & MFF 
2028–2034

Dear Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union,

On behalf of the  <https://eu4health.eu/> EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, 
representing 38 health and patient organisations and co-led by EPHA, I am 
sharing our attached statement ahead of the EU4Health Steering Group meeting 
and the European Council discussions on the next Multiannual Financial 
Framework next week.

The removal of operating grants in 2025 has already led to closures and 
major downsising among health CSOs, weakening their ability to contribute to 
EU health priorities and to democratic participation in EU policymaking.

In this context, we kindly ask for your support to:

*	Reinstate operating grants in the EU4Health 2026 Work Programme; and
*	Ensure that the MFF 2028–2034 includes a substantial, predictable EU 
health budget, with a strong and dedicated civil society component.

Evidence from the interim evaluation shows that EU4Health and civil society 
involvement are cost-effective, deliver clear EU added value, and play a 
proven role in supporting EU public health objectives – from improving 
prevention and access to care, to strengthening preparedness and delivering 
innovation. Without member states’ support for a strong health ecosystem, we 
are concerned that health policy will become detached from citizens’ 
priorities and miss the perspectives of those it aims to serve.

We would welcome the opportunity to brief you in more detail on the work of 
our organisations and are remain at your disposal should you have any 
questions.

Kind regards,

Sara Bertucci

 <https://twitter.com/epha_eu> 
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-public-health-alliance/> 
<https://www.youtube.com/@epha_eu>

Sara Bertucci (she/her)

Policy Manager - Global Public Health

Rue de Trèves 49-51,1040 Brussels, Belgium

 <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked] | 
<http://www.epha.org/> www.epha.org