Crises, cuts and civil society: reclaiming public health leadership in Europe

Satellite webinar of the ISDE International Conference – A healthy planet for a healthy life. Follow this page for further updates.

Background

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are indispensable to Europe’s public health and democratic resilience. They connect institutions with communities, extend the reach of health systems, and help safeguard trust and equity. During the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises – from climate-related health threats to conflict and forced migration – CSOs proved their capacity to deliver, mobilise, and counter misinformation.  

Today, that capacity is at risk. In Europe, recent budgetary shifts have left CSOs without structural funding, undermining preparedness and weakening public health infrastructure at a time of multiple emergencies. Globally, where CSOs have received sustained support, they have been crucial in driving equity, service delivery, and knowledge exchange.  

This roundtable brought together CSO leaders, policy-makers, and international partners to reflect on how to safeguard civil society’s role in health, and to gather shared messages for advocacy in Europe and beyond. 

CSO leaders, policymakers, and international partners sat down to reflect on how to safeguard civil society’s role in health, and gather shared messages for advocacy in Europe and beyond. CSOs are vital to Europe’s public health and democratic resilience through connecting institutions with communities, extending health systems, and safeguarding trust and equity. Their power was proven during COVID-19 and other crises, yet today this capacity is at risk: recent budgetary shifts in Europe have left CSOs without stable funding, undermining preparedness just as multiple emergencies converge.

Event Objectives:

• • • Showcase how CSOs strengthen resilience, trust, and preparedness, drawing on global perspectives
    • Spotlight the public health risks of defunding civil society in Europe