Health-related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are facing significant staffing reductions and are exiting Brussels due to a lack of expected funding from the European Commission. The failure to disburse anticipated grants has left many organizations struggling to maintain their operations for the remainder of the year.
The European Public Health Association (EUPHA), located in Utrecht, Netherlands, has announced plans to lodge a complaint with the European ombudsman regarding these missing funds. As a result of this funding shortfall, EUPHA was compelled to close its Brussels office and eliminate the position of its head of advocacy in June. Charlotte Marchandise, EUPHA’s executive director, expressed her frustration, stating,
“It’s a huge issue when the Commission agrees to fund us, sign [agreements] with us, but withholds it without explanation. Not only it betrays trust, it also probably breaches its own legal obligations.”
Impact on Health NGOs
EUPHA is among 30 health NGOs that had previously signed agreements with the European Commission, outlining their planned activities for the year ahead. These agreements were made in anticipation of operational grants which are crucial for covering essential costs such as salaries. However, many organizations reported that the anticipated grant application announcements never materialized, with informal communications from Commission officials indicating that no funding would be forthcoming.
Other NGOs have similarly been forced to implement severe cost-cutting measures in light of the funding uncertainty. Last week, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), one of Brussels’ largest health NGO networks, confirmed it would be reducing its staff from 13 to 8 members. Additionally, the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) is at risk of losing two of its four employees, as highlighted by policy and advocacy manager Anamaria Suciu, who noted that the typical operating grant from the Commission provides approximately 60 percent of Eurocare’s annual funding.
Broader Implications for Public Health and Civil Society
While the European Patients’ Forum has not yet resorted to layoffs, spokesperson Flavia Topan acknowledged a decline in employee morale, citing that the ongoing uncertainty in funding has a detrimental effect on their capacity to advocate for patient voices in EU health policy.
“The uncertainty and instability in funding take a real toll, both on our muscle to bring the patient voice to the center of EU health policy and on the wellbeing of our employees,”
she stated.
The political climate in Brussels has become increasingly unfriendly to NGOs since the last European elections, particularly with a right-wing majority represented by the European People’s Party. Lawmakers, including Dirk Gotink from the European People’s Party, have accused NGOs of misusing European funds for lobbying purposes. However, independent fact-checks have shown little evidence of such practices, noting that EU funding is publicly reported and essential for balancing the influence of more financially robust private sectors.
Milka Sokolović, director general of EPHA, warned of the long-term repercussions of continued funding cuts, stating,
“If operational support for health NGOs continues to vanish, the damage will echo for years, and public health will be the one paying the price.”
She emphasized that the decline of NGOs could have dire consequences not just for health, but for the fabric of democracy across Europe.
A collective of seven Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and health ministers from Spain and Belgium have voiced their discontent with the Commission’s handling of the funding situation. Lieven De Raedt of Belgium’s public health service remarked,
“It’s our allies, our friends they are putting under pressure and we don’t like it.”
In response to the growing concerns, a spokesperson for the European Commission mentioned that the final EU4Health work program is expected to be adopted and published imminently. The spokesperson reassured that the Commission values the contributions of civil society and that the upcoming work program will include actions specifically involving NGOs.