The European Council reached a crucial agreement on the budget underlying the COVID-19 recovery and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) on Tuesday 21 July.

However, the proposed €9.4 billion EU4Health Programme, featuring funding from Next Generation EU and the MFF, has been reduced to €1.7 billion, jeopardising the EU’s ability to deliver the ambitious objectives set in the field of health. Funding for the Horizon Europe programme has also been reduced. This will have a considerable impact on health research and innovation, an area where the EU aims to gain global leadership.

We call on the EU institutions to work together with European leaders to stand firm behind a strong budget for long-term health action.

Read here the full joint statement from EU health organisations part of the EU4Health civil society alliance.