Register here to participate by 2 October 2026
Please note that registration is free but mandatory, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. In-person places are limited and require security accreditation. Registrations might be closed at any time if the maximum capacity is reached. Online attendance is open.

On 14 October, from 11:00 to 13:00, the position paper “Consumer Education in School Curricula: Challenges, Lessons Learned and Policy Recommendations from the CoRe Project” will be presented at the EU Parliament. The initiative, hosted by the Italian MEP Denis Nesci and organized by Cittadinanzattiva as the final event of the EU-funded project CoRe – Consumer (Re)Generation, will provide an opportunity to discuss the project’s key findings and reflect on how consumer education can become a more structured and effective part of school education across Europe. Read more

From Organic Innovation to Consumer Trust: the OH-FINE Journey' communication campaign
Coordinated by Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network in the framework of the EU-funded project OH-FINE, this campaign brings together 14 consumer associations from across Europe. It calls for better information, greater transparency, and sustainability to strengthen farmers' capacity to meet the needs and expectations of citizens and consumers, and to foster productive dialogue between all key stakeholders involved in the transition to organic farming. Read more

Advancing Respiratory Care at the EU Level: Second Edition
The new ACN EU project continues its long-standing commitment on the topic. The 2026 edition builds directly on the first phase's achievements, including the policy dialogue at the European Parliament in March 2026. The goal is to keep respiratory health high on the EU agenda, ensuring that the voice of citizens and patients resonates before EU institutions, policymakers, healthcare professionals. Read more

Active for adult-onset rare diseases
Around 30% of people with rare diseases do not develop symptoms until adulthood, yet their voices are often missing. To better elevate the rights of adult-onset rare disease patients in Europe, Active Citizenship Network launched in 2026 the project "Active for adult-onset rare diseases". This initiative aligns with ACN's decision to join the multistakeholder COLLABORATE initiative, aimed at understanding challenges and identifying opportunities for change. Read more

Citizens' voices shaped the new personalized prevention strategies
The EU-funded project PROPHET, in which Cittadinanzattiva-ACN is one of the partners, published its official Policy Brief on personalized prevention programs. Cittadinanzattiva-ACN actively contributed, ensuring citizens' and patients' perspectives were strongly included. This document provided crucial insights to shape future healthcare strategies across Europe. Read the document.

Health in your Pocket: Cittadinanzattiva's new guide on Tuberculosis
Cittadinanzattiva published the guide “Tuberculosis - Inform to Include” within the project “The right to health and information for vulnerable groups”. Aimed at socio-economically vulnerable citizens, it promotes health information, TB prevention, and social inclusion. Cittadinanzattiva reinforces its commitment to empowering fragile populations. The guide is available here for free download in Italian, English, French, Arabic, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian.

Support the #EURespiDay 2026 campaign
The Steering Group on Prevention of Respiratory Infections, of which Active Citizenship Network is a member, is proud to launch the #EURespiDay campaign ahead of the 14 October awareness day to highlight the value immunisation against respiratory infections brings to Europe. Support the campaign with the interactive toolkit, featuring adaptable visuals, ready-to-use messages, and communication resources. For more info, please write to the Secretariat of the Steering Group.

SIP Joint Statement on Employment and the Economic Considerations of Pain
The Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Platform is delighted to announce the launch of the “SIP Joint Statement on Employment and the Economic Considerations of Pain”. Developed collaboratively by eight professional and patient organisations – including Active Citizenship Network - working in the field of pain and pain-related conditions, the statement underscores chronic pain as a major driver of reduced workplace productivity and calls on EU and national policymakers to integrate chronic pain management into upcoming labour and health frameworks. Read more

Joint stakeholder response to the first Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) report
Promoted by ARM-Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, the signatories of this statement are a coalition of patient organizations – including ACN - clinicians, medical societies, academic centers, and therapy developers working at the forefront of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), brought together by a shared objective: improving patient access to cell & gene therapies across Europe. Read more

Call to Action: Advancing HPV Vaccination for Adults. From Evidence to Action
Active Citizenship Network is pleased to support and officially endorse the international Call to Action for advancing HPV Vaccination for adults pronoted by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). This Call to Action proposes 12 key policy themes for consideration covering gender, age, access & inclusivity. It urges governments, health leaders & global stakeholders & organisations, as well national public health associations worldwide, to expand HPV vaccination programs to include males and adults without delay, mobilize resources, & integrate evidence-based strategies into national immunization plans. Download the document and read more.

ACT for Anaphylaxis Alliance: Active Citizenship Network joins the European platform
Active Citizenship Network joined "ACT for Anaphylaxis", a European multi-stakeholder platform uniting patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. In its role, ACN will help exchange best practices and drive policy change to make emergency treatment accessible to all outside healthcare premises, ensuring timely life-saving care across Europe through better training. Read more

CIRCONOMY: A new EU-funded project for local circular economy transition
Cittadinanzattiva participates in CIRCONOMY, a 3-year EU-funded Horizon project coordinated by Unitelma Sapienza with 17 European partners. CIRCONOMY develops practical micro-level circularity indicators to help municipalities, businesses, and households measure resource use. Cittadinanzattiva bridges the project with civil society, focusing on citizen engagement, household behaviors, and social inclusion, and implementing the Italian consumer pilot. Read more.

Italy: “Empower-Kids”: nurturing resilience in the younger generations
In Castelraimondo, a municipality in the Marche Region hit by the 2016 earthquake, Cittadinanzattiva with the collaboration of the local authority, involved 25 children (6-11 years old) in emergency readiness within the EU-funded project “Empower-Citizens”. This initiative, named "Empower-Kids" and carried out from Feb. to June 2026, was highlighted as a good practice at the European level by the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network and featured in its official newsletter. Read more.

New paper advocates for an EU Respiratory Health Plan and Alliance
A new policy paper published in International Journal of Pulmonary & Respiratory Sciences (IJOPRS) highlights the urgent need for a European Respiratory Health Plan. Drafted by ACN, the publication outlines the rationale for a life-course approach to respiratory health and announces the 21st European Patients' Rights Day (to be celebrated, as usual, at the EU Parliament, Brussel). Promoting patient rights, ACN calls for a permanent European Respiratory Health Alliance to tackle VPRDs (Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Diseases) and chronic respiratory diseases across Europe. Read more

New paper highlights adult immunisation as a pillar of cardiovascular prevention
A new article in Journal of Cardiology & Current Research (JCCR) positions adult immunisation as a key pillar of cardiovascular prevention. Drafted by ACN, the paper explores the intersection between respiratory vaccination and heart health ahead of the EU Safe Hearts Plan, a topic that will be discussed in the upcoming #VaccinAction event at the EU Parliament. With this article, ACN emphasizes the essential role of civil society in integrating routine vaccination checks into adult chronic care pathways to reduce hospitalisations and strengthen European health governance. Read more

New publication: Addressing vaccine confidence in Central and Eastern Europe
A new Perspective published in Vaccines MDPI synthesises regional strategies for Central and Eastern Europe. The paper represents the follow-up to the event held in May at the Romanian Parliament, organized by COPAC with ACN’s support. Co-authored by ACN’s Director, the publication shows that immunisation gaps stem from eroded trust rather than lack of information. Priorities include primary care training, trusted local messengers, pharmacy access, and closing in-clinic missed opportunities. Read more

New publication: The ongoing impact of Long COVID-19
The COVID Community Council - global representatives from medically vulnerable patient organizations, including Active Citizenship Network - co-created the “Attitudes about COVID and Community Engagement with Patients” (ACCEPt) global survey. Main finding reveals that over 1 in 5 medically vulnerable individuals globally continue to experience the persistent effects of Long COVID, with 90% reporting a moderate-to-significant disruption in their daily lives years after initial infection. Read more

14-15 September 2026 | London (UK) | 3rd European Cancer and Oncology Congress
The Director of ACN has been invited to speak at this congress focusing on precision oncology and cancer research. His presentation, "Refaming Access to Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in Europe: A Patient-Centered Call to Action for Policy and Systemic Reform", will highlight recent Italian updates. Cittadinanzattiva-ACN will emphasize its strong commitment to the matter of ATMPs at national and European levels. Read more

21 September 2026 | London (UK) | Global Public Health and Epidemiology Congress
The Director of Active Citizenship Network has been invited to speak at the Global Public Health and Epidemiology Congress (G-PHEC 2026), which is scheduled to take place in London in August. The title of his presentation is “Grassroots Mobilisation across Europe: Leveraging Civil Society and Community Leadership to Bridge Gaps in Vaccine Coverage”. Read more.

22 - 24 September 2026 │ Dublin (Ireland) │ OH-FINE - Irish Cross Visit and General Assembly
As a consortium member, Cittadinanzattiva-ACN will participate in the OH-FINE project event in Ireland in the second half of September. In particular, on Tuesday 22nd, Cittadinanzattiva-ACN will take part in the General Assembly presenting the communication campaing “From Organic Innovation to Consumer Trust: the OH-FINE journey”, realized as a follow-up of the initiative in Rome with the direct involvement of 14 consumer associations from 12 Member States. Read more

23 September 2026 │ Webinar│ Defining consumer rights education in school curricula
Following the official launch of the Young Consumers’ Manifesto, the EU-funded project Co.Re. continues its mission to integrate consumer rights education directly into school curricula.
Join us on 23 September 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CEST! Register here to participate.
The webinar, organized by Cittadinanzattiva, represents a key follow-up initiative designed to foster a constructive dialogue among national and European stakeholders reached through the project's training and educational activities. The meeting aims to involve in particular teachers, representatives of educational agencies, trainers, institutional representatives, members of the educating community (i.e. consumer organizations & CSOs involved in citizen empowerment). Are you interested? Save the date and write us. Read more

24 September 2026 | Budapest (Hungary) | 8th European Congress on Infectious Diseases
Active Citizenship Network was invited to the 8th European Congress on Infectious Diseases in Budapest. The Director of ACN will present a citizen perspective titled "A broader narrative on respiratory diseases: towards the development of an EU Respiratory Health Plan". The speech highlights how civil society supports public policies on vaccine-preventable respiratory infections diseases. Read more

25 September 2026 │ Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Warsaw (Poland) │ "The Lungs of Poles: Challenges and Priorities for Public Health"
On World Lung Day, the Parliament of Poland hosts a conference on respiratory health priorities. Invited by ACN's long-standing Polish partner, the Institute for Patient Rights and Health Education, the Director of ACN will speak on implementing an integrated approach to respiratory health in Europe, sharing ACN's advocacy commitment on the topic. Read more

26 September 2026 │ Prague (Czech Republic) │ 2nd Annual Global Summit on Public Health and Healthcare Systems (AGSPHHCS2026)
The Director of ACN will participate as a speaker at AGSPHHCS2026 in Prague. The Director will present a citizen and patient perspective titled “A Broader Narrative on Respiratory Diseases: A Citizens' and Patients' Perspective Towards the Development of an EU Respiratory Health Plan”. The abstract was selected by the Scientific Committee, highlighting Cittadinanzattiva-ACN's dedication to civic advocacy and vaccine-preventable respiratory disease public policies. Read more

29 September 2026 │ Webinar │ GUIDE-AI Project: Informative Meeting for Italian PAGs
Cittadinanzattiva-ACN invites Italian PAGS to an online meeting on 29 September at 17:00 about the European project GUIDE-AI. To participate register HERE
The new IMI project uses AI to create digital "guideline navigators" to support doctors with chronic disease therapies and provide patients with accessible explanations. As a consortium member, Cittadinanzattiva-ACN aims to engage patients’ associations to gather feedback and build the tool around real patient needs. Experts from the University of Pavia will explain the opportunities for active involvement. Read more

1 October 2026 │ European Economic and Social Committee, Brussels (Belgium) │ "Civil society, health and peace – together for global solidarity"
Organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) during European Public Diplomacy Days, this session explores civil society's role in health resilience. Coherently with ACN's role to reinforce citizen participation in EU decision-making, the Director of ACN has been invited to speak in the panel titled "Civil society as a partner in health diplomacy: How can we ensure health resilience and fight health disinformation". Read more

13 October 2026 │ EU Parliament, Brussels (Belgium) │ "From Evidence to Action: European Pathways for Vaccination Promotion"
Registration is open for the final conference of the EU-funded project co-OPERATOR, hosted at the European Parliament in Brussels (room: TREVES 9V40) and online from 10:00 to 14:00 CET.
The event marks three years of work across five countries to promote vaccination. As a consortium partner, Cittadinanzattiva Active Citizenship Network is pleased to invite stakeholders to join in person or online. To attend, please register via this link. Read more

13 October 2026 │ EU Parliament, Brussels (Belgium) │ "Preventing respiratory infections in an ageing Europe: Policy priorities for the next winter season"
Following its participation in the EHMA Conference 2026 and the 1 July session of the event series “Preventing Hospitalisation in Europe”, Active Citizenship Network was invited by the European Health Management Association (EHMA) to the final event at the EU Parliament on preventing respiratory infections in an ageing Europe. Hosted by MEP Aurelijus Veryga, the institutional policy dialogue initiative allows ACN to share its advocacy commitment towards an EU Respiratory Health Plan. Read more.

13-14 October 2026 │ Genoa (Italy) │ Launching CARES: empowering citizens and communities in emergency preparedness
Cittadinanzattiva - Active Citizenship Network (ACN), as one of the consortium partners, will participate in the official kick-off meeting of the new European project CARES (Citizen Awareness and Resilience for Emergency Systems), hosted in Genoa at the headquarters of the project coordinator, RINA Consulting. Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, CARES brings together 21 partner organisations across 6 European countries over 36 months. In an era marked by increasing extreme weather events, natural hazards, and complex disruptions, conventional emergency response plans often face limitations: they can be static, lack community engagement, and overlook the specific requirements of vulnerable groups. CARES addresses these gaps by embedding a Whole-of-Society approach into crisis management, ensuring that citizens and local communities act as active partners alongside authorities and first responders. Read more

14 October 2026 │ EU Parliament, Brussels (Belgium) │ #EURespiDay 2026 event
The Steering Group on Prevention of Respiratory Infections, of which ACN is a member, invites you to join the 7th annual #EURespiDay event hosted by MEP Aurelijus Veryga on 14 October, 10:30–12:00 CET, at the European Parliament, Brussels, and live-streamed on LinkedIn. Register now to explore how immunisation can build healthier populations, resilient health systems and stronger economies in Europe. For more info, please write to the Secretariat of the Steering Group. Read more (A – B).

16 October 2026 │ Brussels (Belgium) │ "From Education to Policy Impact in European Healthcare"
Following its recent participation in the June event in Zagreb, Croatia, the Director of Active Citizenship Network (ACN) will contribute as a panelist at the final conference of the PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122. Invited by the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS), the Director of ACN will join the session on translating EU strategies to national policies, highlighting the role of civil society involvement and scientific synergies to advocate for quality care for older people. Read more

22-24 October 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts (USA) | Global Conference on Public Health & Epidemiology
The Director of Active Citizenship Network has been invited to speak at the Global Conference on Public Health & Epidemiology (PHE 2026), hybrid event scheduled to take place in USA in October. The title of his presentation is “Grassroots Mobilisation across Europe: Leveraging Civil Society and Community Leadership to Bridge Gaps in Vaccine Coverage”. Read more

23-25 October 2026| Hyderabad (India) │ GANSID International Congress on Sickle Cell & other Inherited Blood Disorders
The 4th GANSID International Congress, taking place October 23–25, 2026, in Hyderabad, India, will bring together global experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, policymakers, and partners to advance care for sickle cell disease and other inherited blood disorders. Under the theme “From Innovation to Implementation: Bridging Science and Access in Inherited Blood Disorders”, the Congress – oorganized by the new ACN partner Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & Other Inherited Blood Disorders, will explore emerging therapies, comprehensive care, clinical research, advocacy, and practical strategies to translate innovation into equitable patient outcomes. Read more