While in-person participation - without EP badge - is now closed, online participation is still open upon registration.

Hosted by MEP Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP Group) with the support of the MEPs Interest Group “European Patients' Rights and Cross-border Healthcare”, this institutional policy dialogue initiative is promoted at the EU Parliament by Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network as part of the EU project #VaccinAction2026. The event will focus on integrating adult immunisation into cardiovascular care pathways, engaging patient advocacy groups and highlighting its socio-economic value. Click here to know more and here to read an introductory article.

Register here to participate by 26 November 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.

Hosted by MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis (S&D, Lithuania) with the support of the MEPs Interest Group “European Patients' Rights and Cross-border Healthcare”, this institutional policy dialogue initiative is promoted at the EU Parliament by Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network in the framework of the global COLLABORATE initiative, of which ACN is an official member. The event is scheduled on 10 of December from 13.30 to 15.00 CET.

Around 30% of people living with rare diseases experience symptoms only in adulthood. Despite this substantial proportion, adult-onset rare diseases remain under-represented in rare disease plans and policies worldwide, receiving less research funding and facing diagnostic delays and communication barriers. Read more

From Evidence to Action: European Pathways for Vaccination Promotion
The final conference of the co-OPERATOR project, hosted by MEP George Georgiou, brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, civil society representatives and EU institutions at the European Parliament in Brussels and online. Coordinated by the Cyprus University of Technology and funded by the EU4Health programme, the co-OPERATOR project involves 10 partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands. As a consortium member, Cittadinanzattiva-Active Citizenship Network also participated in the final conference. Read more

Health in your pocket, inform to include: focus on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Created to promote equal access to health information and empower vulnerable citizens, the guide provides clear guidance on proper antibiotic use and AMR prevention. To break down communication barriers, it is available in 6 languages: Italian, English, French, Arabic, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian. This guide, produced by Cittadinanzattiva, is part of the project "The right to health and information for vulnerable people", on the prevention of latent Tuberculosis, maternal-fetal infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, addressed to the most vulnerable people from the socio-economic point of view and invisible to health services. For the free download, click here.

SIP Position Paper on Gender Equity in Pain 2026
The statement – also endorserd by Active Citizenship Network as SIP Policy Forum member - outlines the joint position of the European Pain Federation EFIC and Pain Alliance Europe (PAE) on gender equity and pain. It highlights persistent sex- and gender-related gaps in pain recognition, research, diagnosis and treatment, and presents key recommendations for both EU and national policymakers to catalyse action and systemic change in this field. Read more (A – B).

Consumer education in school curricula: Recommendations presented at the European Parliament for youth empowerment and child protection
On 14 October 2026 at the European Parliament, Cittadinanzattiva organized the final conference of the Consumer (Re)generation - CoRe EU-funded project, presenting recommendations to embed consumer rights into school curricula, secure stable funding, and recognize CSOs and consumers’ organizations as strategic educational partners. Data showed a 41% increase in student skills, proving that ongoing consumer literacy is essential to complement EU digital safety rules for young citizens across Europe. Read the article just published by Innovation News Network, ACN media partner. Read more

CARES kicks off: bringing citizens to the heart of emergency preparedness
The EU-funded poject, CARES – Citizen Awareness and Resilience for Emergency Systems, has officially kicked off in Genoa, bringing together 21 partners from six European countries to develop more adaptive, inclusive and citizen-centred emergency preparedness systems. As a project partner, Cittadinanzattiva will contribute its civic perspective, promoting co-produced safety, stronger recognition of civic participation in emergency planning, and a more inclusive approach that starts from the needs of the most vulnerable groups. Read more

Empowering citizens by considering their feedback in preparedness plans
Funded by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Eu-funded project Empower-Citizens aims to enhance community resilience against disasters. Running from 2025 to 2027, it develops the CLIPP (Citizen & Authority Learning and Improving Preparedness Plans) procedure to help local authorities update civil protection plans using citizens' feedback. Cittadinanzattiva participates by coordinating the analysis of local authority needs, contributing to the CLIPP procedure, and facilitating its testing in Castelraimondo, Italy, to foster safe and resilient communities. Read more

Active Citizenship Network keeps growing, and not only within the European Union. In this newsletter, we will report on a series of agreements formalised in the last period. These agreements demonstrate a growing interest in our work, as well as our willingness to collaborate with the many actors (scientific community, PAGs, media) who share our goals.

ACN and ESWI sign MoU to strengthen protection against respiratory viruses
Active Citizenship Network (ACN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI). A virtuous example of how scientific societies and civic activism collaborate for health as a common good. In particular, the agreement establishes a framework for scientific, technical, policy and advocacy cooperation against respiratory virus infections like influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Read more about the new ACN partner.

Rare and Inherited Blood Disorders: new agreement signed by ACN
Active Citizenship Network (ACN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & Other Inherited Blood Disorders (GANSID). The GANSID brings the voices of inherited blood disorders together to advance care, treatment, research, capacity building, and education in regions of the world facing acute challenges due to underdeveloped healthcare systems, poverty, and a lack of disease awareness among patient populations. With this MoU, ACN continues to strengthen international cooperation to empower patients and protect healthcare rights in Europe and beyond. Read more about the new ACN partner.

ACN signs an agreement with a Greek non-profit civil society organization
The partnership with “A40s-Association of Women Over 40”, establishes a joint framework to collaborate at the European level on citizens' and patients' rights as well as age equality, gendered ageism, healthy and inclusive ageing, and public health. Particular attention will be devoted to reducing inequalities affecting women and older people, raising awareness of unmet needs in prevention and access to health services, and strengthening the empowerment and civic participation of citizens, women, and older populations in national and European policy-making. Read more about the new ACN partner.

Media partnership signed between Active Citizenship Network and MedCrave
Active Citizenship Network (ACN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a media partnership with MedCrave Group, publisher of the Journal of Cardiology & Current Research. In particular, the agreement focuses on disseminating innovative cardiovascular solutions and public health initiatives. A timely step considering ACN's ongoing commitment to the EU Heart Safe Plan. Read more about the new ACN partner.

Trust, Access, and the Division of Responsibility for Vaccine Confidence in Central and Eastern Europe: Paired Own-Country and Regional Ratings from a Multi-Stakeholder Professional Panel
Co-authored also by the Director of ACN and published in Vaccines MDPI following the multi-stakeholder meeting organized by COPAC at the Romanian Parliament with the collaboration of Active Citizenship Network, a new study reveals that trust and misinformation outrank access as key barriers to vaccine confidence in Central and Eastern Europe. The research identifies primary care education on vaccine communication and campaigns led by local community figures as near-term priorities to improve vaccination confidence. Read more

RSV and maternal immunization: a new European paradigm for protecting newborns
Protection from Respiratory Syncytial Virus requires an integrated strategy. On the sidelines of an event on the topic organized in Brussels by Active Citizenship Network, Laura Reali (past-President of the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians-EPCCP) explained the value of vaccination during pregnancy and the urgency of equitable national management. Read more (EN - IT languages)

18 - 19 November 2026 │ Dublin (Ireland) │ “Adult Immunization in Ireland: successes, lessons learned and the way forward”
As a AIB advisor, the Director of Active Citizenship Network was invited to the annual AIB-Adult Immunization Board country meeting, to be held in Dublin during the Irish EU Council Presidency. The invitation-only event examines how adult vaccination is embedded in Ireland's health system and explores life-course immunization opportunities in line with EU priorities. Read more.