Alzheimer Europe has joined with 186 signatories of a statement coordinated by the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance (CSA), calling for the restoration of meaningful, adequate and predictable operating grants, under EU4Health and beyond.
The statement calls on the European Commission to act upon the concerns raised by Member States and put into practice the principles set out in the EU Civil Society Strategy, including the commitment to provide CSOs with adequate, sustainable and transparent funding that enables meaningful participation in policymaking.
The statement responds to the challenging situation facing health civil society following the discontinuation of EU4Health operating grants in 2025. Whilst not directly impacting Alzheimer Europe, we strongly urge the European Commission to restore meaningful, adequate and sustainable operating grants for EU health civil society under EU4Health in 2026 and beyond, so that our colleagues across Europe can continue to carry out their vital work representing patients and communities, contributing independent expertise and participating meaningfully in EU policymaking. For health civil society, the removal of these grants has had serious consequences including staff cuts, office closures, and significantly reduced activities.
Across Europe, CSOs are facing increasing financial pressure and a more challenging operating environment. Sustainable and transparent funding is essential to maintaining an independent, diverse and effective civil society and ensuring that it can play its full role in European democracy. As the EU prepares its next Multiannual Financial Framework, the experience of health civil society raises concerns about the precedent this could set for CSOs across sectors.
The signatories therefore join Member States and Members of the European Parliament in calling on the European Commission to restore meaningful, adequate and sustainable operating grants for EU health civil society under EU4Health in 2026 and beyond, and to translate the commitments of the EU Civil Society Strategy into concrete action.
The fully statement is available at: https://eu4health.eu/support-for-health-civil-society/
