European Public Health A lliance Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European Public Health Alliance

1. European Public Health Alliance Agnese Knabe Project coordinator European Public Health Alliance Civic Alliance – Latvia “Strengthening the networking on public health in Czech Republic” 23 February,2006, Prague European Public Health Alliance

2. About EPHA • A network of more than 100 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues • Our mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making

3. Objectives • Information distribution • Advocacy • Capacity building • Expertise on public health About EPHA • Objectives • Information distribution • Advocacy • Capacity building • Expertise on public health

4. EPHA members EPHA has two categories of membership: • Full members Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) active in the public health sector. Full members have two votes at the Annual General Assembly • Associate members other not-for-profit organisations, professional bodies, academic institutions and local or regional authorities. Associate members have one vote at the Annual General Assembly • EPHA membership fees are based on the income of the member organisation

5. EPHA members • International networks • European networks • National organisations

6. EPHA members • Health advocates • Disease specific patient groups • Academic researchers • Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and pharmacists) • Consumer groups • Environment organisations • Development organisations

7. EPHA members International International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (Netherlands) International Babyfood Action Network (IBFAN) (Luxembourg) International Diabetes Federation - European Region (Belgium) European networks Association of European Cancer Leagues (Belgium) European Respiratory Society (Switzerland) Mental Health Europe (Belgium) National Actis - Norwegian Policy Network on Alcohol and Drugs (Norway) The Meningitis Trust (United Kingdom) The Netherlands Institute for Care and Welfare – NIZW/IC (Netherlands) Complete list of EPHA members: http://www.epha.org/r/14

8. EPHA members • Benefit of members • Information on actual Public health issues and EU policy developments • Monthly Newsletter • web page • members only site • Expertise on political and legal documents • Advocacy in European level • Contacts • Project opportunities • Capacitybuilding activities

9. EPHA organisational structure The Annual General Assembly • Discusses the broad policy of EPHA • Elects the Executive Committee • Annual Budget Meetsonce a year (extraordinary meetings are possible) Members vote according to their membership category May include consultation meetings and/or training seminars for members

10. EPHA organisational structure

11. EPHA organisational structure The Executive Committee • Sets out the annual work programme • Sets priorities and targets for EPHA • Reviews EPHA financial management and annual accounts • Supervises the EPHA Secretariat and appoints the appropriate staff 5-7 people elected for a two-year period – genderequality and balance between NGOs and professionals are required

12. EPHA organisational structure The EPHA Secretariat • Manages the “day to day” work of EPHA • Ensures that the full work programme of the organisation is carried out efficiently and effectively • Actively contributes to the development of good organisational practice Currently five permanent staff members, located inBrussels and 2 based on projects in Riga

13. EPHA organisational structure

14. How does EPHA work? • Advocacy Working groups At present there are 5 ongoing working groups on the following subjects: • Alcohol • Food and Nutrition • Health and Environment • Health and Enlargement • Pharmaceuticals Policy Co-ordination Meetings Meeting every two months in Brussels, this group is open to allEPHA members. Contributions to the meeting are also received via e-mail

15. How does EPHA work? • Information exchange • Membership services • Lobbying: > EU institutions • Networking: > Other health NGOs > Other thematic NGOs • Tracking policy issues: > Day to day analysis > Mailings - Briefings

16. European Public Health Alliance 39-41 Rue d’Arlon B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 230 30 56 Fax: +32 2 233 38 80 epha@epha.org www.epha.org

17. European Public Health Alliance • “Development of national platforms on public health in 10 new EU member states” • September 2005 - November 2006 • Agnese Knabe • Project coordinator • European Public Health Alliance • Civic Alliance – Latvia • “Strengthening the networking on public health in Czech Republic”23 February,2006, Prague

18. Supported • European Commission, DG Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm • Open Society Institute, New York www.soros.org

19. Objectives • To build up the capacity of NGOs in 10 new member states focusing on networking and advocacy. • To strengthen the development of national platforms in new member states. • To raise awareness to NGOs on networking as a tool of effective advocacy. • To inform NGOs on legislation processes in EU institutions. • To inform NGOs on EU policy on public health.

20. Activities • Training seminars and consultations in new member states. • Dissemination of the manual on networking and public health issues and translation to national languages. http://www.epha.org/a/2082 • Updating the directory of organisations in www.ngo.epha.org • Access and distribution of information in http://www.epha.org/r/97

21. The benefit of target group • Knowledge • Experience • Contacts • Information

22. Project leading organisations • European Public health alliance (EPHA) www.wpha.org • Civic alliance Latvia (CAL) www.nvo.lv Regional project co-coordinator

23. European Public Health Alliance 39-41 Rue d’Arlon B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 230 30 56 Fax: +32 2 233 38 80 epha@epha.org www.epha.org

24. Civic Alliance Latvia 19/21 – 3 LV-1011 Riga LATVIA Tel: +3717846467 Fax: +3717846466 agnese@nvo.lv www.nvo.lv