COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Implementation of the third Programme of Union Action in the field of health in 2020
Date: 2022-07-08
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, health care, health care system, implementation of the budget, programme budgeting, public health, smoking, vaccination

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 8.7.2022  SWD(2022) 186 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT     Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Implementation of the third Programme of Union Action in the field of health in 2020 {COM(2022) 328 final}  
 
 
Table of Contents 
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1. 

JOINT ACTIONS ................................................................................................................................. 3 

2. PROJECTS ............................................................................................................................................... 7 

3. OPERATING GRANTS ......................................................................................................................... 13 

4. DIRECT GRANT WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ..................................................... 20 

5. CALLS FOR TENDERS ........................................................................................................................ 23 

6. HIGHLIGHTS OF CO-FUNDED ‘CROSS-CUTTING’ AND ‘OTHER’ ACTIONS .......................... 25 

6.1 Dissemination activities carried out in 2020 ..................................................................................... 25 

7. IMPLEMENTATION OF ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2020 .................................................... 29 

7.1 Calls for proposals ............................................................................................................................ 29 

7.1.1 Joint Actions .............................................................................................................................. 29 

7.1.2 Project grants ............................................................................................................................. 32 

7.1.3 Operating grants ......................................................................................................................... 38 

7.1.4 Direct grant agreements with International Organisations ......................................................... 42 

7.1.5 Other direct award of grants ....................................................................................................... 44 

7.2 Beneficiaries ..................................................................................................................................... 46 

7.3 Experts evaluators ............................................................................................................................. 48 

7.4 Prizes – EU Health award for Cities, NGOs, Schools ...................................................................... 49 

7.5 Procurement (service contracts) ........................................................................................................ 50 

7.6 Other actions ..................................................................................................................................... 58 

8. DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING YEAR 2020 ........................................................... 63 

8.1 Funding per thematic priority and financial instrument .................................................................... 63 

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Introduction 

This staff-working document (SWD) accompanies the report on the implementation of the third 

Programme for the Union's action in the field of health (2014-2020)1 (‘the Programme’) in 2020.  

While  the  report  provides  an  overview  of  all  the  actions  funded  under  the  2020  annual  work 

programme (2020 AWP), this SWD presents the key results achieved in 2020 for actions that were 

co-funded under the Programme in previous years through grants and service contracts. It provides 

details on how these actions contributed to the Programme’s four objectives, and how their results 

were taken up at national or EU level. 

This  SWD  also  provides  comprehensive  figures  and  statistics  on  the  2020  AWP  operational 

budget, including a list of all co-funded initiatives and contracts by Programme objective, type of 

action and type of beneficiary organisation. 

More  information  about  these  actions  and  their  results  is  available  in  the  health  programme 

database2 managed by the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea)3. 

1 Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the establishment 
of  a  third  Programme  for  the  Union’s  action  in  the  field  of  health  (2014-2020)  and  repealing  Decision  No 
1350/2007/EC (OJ L 86, 21.3.2014, p. 1). 

2 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu) 

3 The database covers actions co-funded under the Union’s health programmes from 2003-2020. 

2 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
 
1. 

JOINT ACTIONS 

Objective 1: Promote health, prevent diseases and foster supportive environments 

for healthy lifestyles taking into account the "health in all policies" principle 

1.1.  CHRODIS-PLUS: Implementing good practices for chronic diseases 

[CHRODIS-PLUS] 

More information available on the joint action website4 and in Chafea database.5 

Background Information: 

The  CHRODIS+  Joint  Action,  was  a  three-year  initiative  (2017-2020)  supporting  EU  Member 

States  through  cross-national  initiatives,  which  were  identified  in  JA-CHRODIS  to  reduce  the 

burden of Chronic Diseases (CD), increase the sustainability of health systems and develop health 

workforce.   In  order  to  achieve  this,  42  beneficiaries  representing  20  European  countries 

collaborated to implement pilots and generate practical lessons that could contribute to the uptake 

and use of CHRODIS+ results.  

The total EU contribution amounted to EUR 4 999 999,56. 

Brief Description of Activities: 

CHRODIS+  promoted  the  implementation  of  innovative  policies  and  practices  in  the  fields  of 

patient  empowerment,  health  promotion  and  prevention,  quality  management  of  CD  and 

multimorbidity, while improving the adaptation of the health workforce sector to chronic patients.  

Specific Results: 

The CHRODIS+ Joint Action consisted of eight Work Packages  (WP), including  coordination, 

dissemination,  evaluation  and  sustainability  of  the  Joint  Action  (respectively  WP  1-4).  Pilot 

projects under WP 5, 6 and 7 analysed relevant interventions, good practices and evidence-based 

4 CHRODIS - Joint Action on Chronic Diseases. 
5 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

3 

 
 
 
                                                      
guidelines, which were subsequently implemented by interested stakeholders, i.e. policy-makers 

and organisations. All of the above pilot projects were validated before being scaled up. 

In  particular,  CHRODIS+  looked  for  synergies  with  international,  regional  and  local  policy 

initiatives in the field  of CD. This led to the  development  of a set  of recommendations for the 

implementation  of  health  promotion  good  practices  as  well  as  recommendations  for  intra-  and 

inter-sectoral collaboration for health promotion and CD prevention. Furthermore, the Joint Action 

delivered a consensus Statement on EU added value of cross-country collaboration in the field of 

CD and the sustainability of the results from JA-CHRODIS and CHRODIS+ beyond 2020. 

Moreover, a toolkit was developed regarding the prevention of chronic diseases at the workplace. 

The  issue  of  chronic  diseases  and  employment  was  further  elaborated  through  a  set  of  policy 

recommendations for health promotion and disease prevention in the workplace for people with 

CD, including reintegration and access to work aspects, while a training tool for employers and 

the employment sector was also developed.  

The outcomes of CHRODIS+ are communicated through the action website. This communication 

tool is reaching out to the public while also being a source of information and reference for project 

partners. The dissemination of the CHRODIS+ Joint Action to the wider public has been further 

supported by the layman version of the JA’s final report.6 

1.2 Joint Action on strengthening cooperation between interested Member States 

and the Commission in the area of tobacco control [JATC] 

More information available on the Joint Action Website7 and in Chafea database.8 

Background Information: 

The  general  objective  of  the  JATC  was  to  provide  support  to  the  EU  Member  States  on  the 

implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)9 through the mining of the EU Common 

6 Find all deliverables here: Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu) 
7 Jaotc.eu | JOINT ACTION on TOBACCO CONTROL (JATC). 
8 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
9 EUR-Lex - 32014L0040 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu).  

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Entry Gate (EU-CEG).10 Particularly JATC aimed at supporting the dissemination of information 

to  the  public,  regulators  and  researchers,  facilitating  access  to  data  derived  from  EU-CEG, 

assisting in e-cigarette regulation, supporting collaboration between laboratories across Member 

States evaluating tobacco products and finally integrating the JATC results into national policies. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 1 995 334,21. 

Brief Description of Activities:  

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, JATC amongst others: 

  Created an information classification model, which identified the variables that should be 

considered public and not confidential within the common formats for the notification of 

tobacco  products  and  e-cigarettes  published  through  implementing  acts  2015/2186  and 

2015/2183 and within the context of TPD (Article 5(4)). The aim is that the classification 

of ‘TPD non-confidential public’ data by the WP will be accepted by EU-CEG Member 

States as proposed (WP 5). 

  Outlined  the  requirements  (legal/technical  etc.)  for  making  the  above-identified 

information available to the public. This was based on a report, which clarified the legal 

framework  regarding  EU-regulation,  Member  States’  national  legislation  and  existing 

contracts between owners and Member States as information owners in the EU-CEG. This 

report  forms  the  basis  for  publishing  legal  requirements  and  sharing  non-confidential 

public data. 

  Assessed tobacco product description data with regard to product submissions, descriptors 

and  product  specific  data,  in  order  to  investigate  into  cross-EU  Member  States’ 

comparability  and  to  map  unique  and/or  emerging  product  characteristics.  The  same 

assessment  was  conducted  for  data  on  presentation  and  sales,  both  of  which  were 

subsequently analysed (WP 5). 

 

Investigated  the  associations  between  declared  tobacco  product  information  (recipe)  vs. 

measured tobacco product information and in line with Article 5(1) of the TPD. Within this 

10 Providing information on tobacco products, e-cigarettes and refill containers - The EU Common Entry Gate (EU-
CEG) | Public Health (europa.eu). 

5 

 
 
                                                      
process,  the  consortium  has  statistically  evaluated  the  differences  and  assessed  if  these 

variables are appropriately used (or misused) by the manufacturers or importers (WP 6). 

 

In the WP 9, the JATC composed an evaluation framework to judge the enhanced reporting 

documents  on  priority  additives.  This  framework  is  of  importance  for  both  the  JA 

consortium,  the  panel  of  peer  reviewers,  and  the  tobacco  industry.  Aspects  that  were 

included in this framework are the parameters and boundaries defining which information 

is regarded to be sufficient, and in which situation more information is needed. Information 

of the recently published SCHEER opinion II on Additives used in Tobacco Products were 

used as a basis for this framework (WP 9). 

Specific Results: 

During the course of its action, the JATC created a website containing information on the joint 

action,  its  management  structure,  the  participant  members  and  the  outcomes.  Amongst  these, 

JATC published a leaflet11 available in all EU languages to maximise the overall impact of the 

project  through  supporting  the  consultation  with  stakeholders  and  the  dissemination  of  the 

project’s results. 

Moreover, under WP 4 a report on TPD mapping and sustainability activities was developed.12 

WP 5 delivered three reports and technical solutions of outmost significance, i.e. the ‘Defined legal 

aspects of assessing other MS data in the JATC project’,13 the ‘Technical  solution for securely 

assessing and processing public non-confidential data’14 and the ‘Report on what data is public 

and non-confidential in EU-CEG’.15 

Finally, WP 9 delivered an ‘Assessment/Evaluation Framework for enhanced reporting of prior 

additives  and  guidelines  for  ‘Good  Experimental  Practicing’,  and  an  ‘Inventory  of  industry 

11 WP2-D2.2-Leaflet.pdf (jaotc.eu). 
12 WP4-D4.1-Report-on-TPD-Mapping.pdf (jaotc.eu). 
13 WP5-–-D5.2-Defined-legal-aspects-of-accessing-other-MS-data-in-the-JATC-project.pdf (jaotc.eu). 
14 WP5-D5.3-Technical-solution-for-securely-accessing-and-processing-public-non-confidential-data.pdf (jaotc.eu). 
15 WP5-D5.1-Report-on-what-data-is-public-and-non-confidential-in-EU-CEG.pdf (jaotc.eu). 

6 

 
 
                                                      
documents’ which is a report on the type of information from the EU-CEG system on enhanced 

reporting of priority additives.16 

2. PROJECTS  
Objective 1 – Promote health, prevent diseases and foster supportive environments 

for health lifestyles  

2.1 Models to engage vulnerable migrants and refugees in their health through 

community empowerment and learning alliance [MyHealth] 

Background Information 

MyHealth ran from 2017 until 2020 and aimed at improving the healthcare access of vulnerable 

and newly arrived in Europe immigrants and refugees by developing and implementing models 

based on the knowhow of a European multidisciplinary network. MyHealth identified women and 

unaccompanied minors as two of the most vulnerable groups, therefore, focussing on them. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 1 134 547,95. 

Brief Description of Activities 

The project workload was distributed in 8 WPs. While the first three were horizontal, outlining the 

coordination, dissemination and evaluation of the project, the following five constituted the core 

of the project: WP4 Mapping, WP5 Needs Assessment, WP6 Tools development and WP7 Pilots. 

WP8 was concerned with community involvement, a central objective of the project. 

MyHealth mapped the main actors involved in migrants’ and refugees’ health. The main purpose 

of this task was to develop an interactive map with key reference sites, such as refugee camps, 

non-governmental  organisations  (NGOs)  headquarters  and  offices,  community  healthcare 

16  D9.2-Inventory-of-Industry-documents-A-report-on-type-of-information-from-the-EU-CEG-system-on-enhanced-
reporting-of-priority-additives.pdf (jaotc.eu). 

7 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
departments, able to provide support to migrants and refugees. Information on several healthcare 

categories such as mental health and chronic diseases were disclosed, while also available services 

were  categorised  based  amongst  others  on  their  cost  and  the  availability  of  health  community 

workers, cultural mediators and translators to be involved. 

Furthermore, a Pilot Survey was designed and conducted in four health centres, aiming to collect 

information on the physical and mental health status of the target groups. Each health centre needed 

to provide data derived from a minimum of 15 migrants/refugees and five medical doctors as well 

as other health professionals. The survey was also available online, so that volunteers from centres 

not  involved  in  the  consortium  could  participate.  The  survey  intended  to  provide  a  qualitative 

insight on the current health status of migrants and refugees. 

Finally, MyHealth built the ‘European network’,17 a platform facilitating the communication of 

social  inclusion  organisations  with  organisations  specializing  in  preventive  health  activities  or 

medical interventions in vulnerable immigrants or refugees.  

Specific Results 

MyHealth developed an interactive map (WP4) which reports on the relevant health issues, key 

stakeholders, and available ICT tools as well as on the main legal and organisational aspects of the 

involved National Health Systems. 

In  particular,  MyHealth  identified  the  current  health  problems  that  migrants  face  and  receive 

treatment for. This was achieved by reviewing evidence on the health status of the targeted groups, 

while also mapping small scale, locally implemented projects in that field, which can subsequently 

be  transferred  and  implemented.  Primary  healthcare  services  reaching  out  to  women  and 

unaccompanied minors have been the focus of this action. 

Moreover, based on a community health approach, health intervention strategies were developed 

in the field of mental health and communicable diseases. An ICT platform was created,18 which 

supports  new  tools  and  enhances  health  application  development.  Furthermore,  MyHealth  has 

provided  a  systematic  approach  suggestion,  reaching  out  to  both  target  groups  to  ensure  their 

17 European Network - MyHealth (healthonthemove.net) 
18 ICT Tool Archives - MyHealth (healthonthemove.net) 

8 

 
 
                                                      
involvement  throughout  the  project.  Finally,  participating  hospital  units  of  the  consortium 

implemented the defined pilot strategies and models. 

2.2  Early  detection  and  integrated  management  of  tuberculosis  in  Europe:  E-

DETECT TB [E-DETECT TB]  

Background Information 

The E-DETECT Tuberculosis  (TB) consortium  was a European Commission  co-funded  group, 

which ran from 2016 until 2020, bringing together world leading TB experts in national public 

health agencies (Sweden, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy and Romania), with the industry 

and also major academic centres. 

The overall objective of the consortium was to contribute to the decline, and eventual elimination 

of TB, in the EU, by ensuring early diagnosis in vulnerable populations, consolidating migrant TB 

detection  and  improving  European  cross-border  management  and  finally  supporting  the 

development of action plans in EU Member States through the exchange and implementation of 

identified best practices. The ultimate goal of the E-DETECT TB was to provide a framework that 

will  implement  those  best  practices  deriving  from  countries  with  national  and  international 

strategies. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 1 852 745. 

Brief Description of Activities 

Successful delivery of all programmes should contribute to the reduction of TB incidence in the 

EU; Project activities can be analysed as follows: 

  Outreach activities in Romania and Bulgaria were expected to lead to the early detection 

and treatment of active TB. Patients detected early and successfully treated benefited from 

an increase in their quality of life, that including being able to return to their work place, 

and provide for their dependents where required. Patients treated for TB and Multi-drug 

Resistant Tuberculosis increased by 10% by the end of the project, therefore, alleviating a 

significant cost for national health systems. In that context, the E-DETECT TB project had 

9 

 
 
considerable  benefits  not  only  in  terms  of  budget  but  also  towards  reducing  premature 

mortality and controlling the spread of the virus. 

  Activities to  implement  and evaluate migrant  TB detection in  Italy and to support their 

early diagnosis in low incidence countries. In this setting, further decline of TB incidence 

was achieved through intervention in migrant populations who account for the majority of 

new  TB  notifications.  This  action  in  Italy  helped  to  identify  the  optimal  strategy  for 

targeting vulnerable migrants arriving via the Mediterranean sea, therefore, strengthening 

cross-border interventions. 

  E-DETECT  TB  created  a  database  with  information  on  active  and  latent  TB  cases  in 

migrants  from  low  incidence  countries.  This  enabled  to  identify  the  best  approach  for 

screening  all  migrants,  while  targeting  the  groups  at  highest  risk.  Database  analysis 

provided  a  deeper  understanding  of  the  screening  process  regarding  the  targeted  sub-

groups,  location  and  means  used,  therefore,  generating  lessons  of  both  European  and 

international importance in this domain. 

  E-DETECT TB strengthened national TB programmes. Completion of this work stream 

resulted in an improved understanding of the differences and commonalities of national 

TB strategies and action plans across the EU. Furthermore, it led to a better understanding 

of  barriers  and  facilitators  to  implementing  national  TB  action  plans.  Finally,  this  was 

elaborated in a report suggesting the best approach to develop novel, future strategies.  

Specific Results 

Amongst  others,  the  E-DETECT  TB  set  up  a  regularly  updated  website,19  which  contains 

information and links on the progress of the project including: 

  The E-DETECT TB Strategy Toolkit,20 which is freely available, focusing on key areas of 

TB control.  It assisted national TB plan development or refinement by providing up-to-

date guidance on core components of a TB Action Plan and Strategy by bringing together 

the latest EU/EEA-focused evidence and expert opinion. This Toolkit was prepared by the 

19 E-DETECT TB – Early detection of tuberculosis in Europe. 
20 TB Strategy Toolkit – E-DETECT TB 

10 

 
 
                                                      
TB Unit at Public Health England, in partnership with the University College London, the 

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation and the Karolinska Institute. 

  A layman version of the project’s final report.21 

  16 publications, articles and posters in scientific journals and conferences. 

  12 leaflets and factsheets on WP and the developed Strategy Tookit. 

The future steps were to set standards for data sharing not only between E-DETECT TB partner 

countries but also between other EU Member States. 

Objective 4: Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for Union citizens 

2.3 ERKNet Registry for Rare Kidney Diseases [ERK-REG]  

Background Information 

The ERKNet Registry project ran from 2018 until 2020 and aimed to establish an online platform 

for  the  collection  of  information  relevant  to  patient  health  and  clinical  research  within  the 

framework  of  the  European  Rare  Kidney  Disease  Reference  Network  (ERKNet).  This  was 

accomplished by the construction and implementation of a single core registry encompassing all 

rare kidney diseases in paediatric and adult patients. 

The  ERKNet  Registry  brought  together  five  partners  from  five  different  countries  (Germany, 

Spain, France, Poland and the Netherlands). 

The total EU contribution was EUR 380 564,32. 

Brief Description of Activities 

ERKNet  Registry  is  an  innovative  Web-based  registry  solution.  Having  a  patient-oriented 

approach,  it  focused  on  continuous  healthcare  quality  improvement  through  automated 

performance monitoring and network wide benchmarking. 

21 e-detect-tb-layman-version-of-final-report-feb-2021.pdf (wordpress.com) 

11 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
In  order  to  do  so  the  ERKNet  Registry  collected  at  annual  intervals  a  data  set  providing  basic 

information  on  clinical,  histopathological  and  genetic  diagnosis,  patient  status,  current  kidney 

function and treatment modality and available biospecimens as well as a selected disease-specific 

set of key performance and outcome indicators.  

The Registry contains an automated statistics and benchmarking functionality to allow continuous 

monitoring  and  benchmarking  of  treatment  quality,  guideline  adherence  and  patient  outcomes. 

Existing disease- and treatment specific registries used by a major fraction of ERKNet members 

were linked to the ERKNet Core Registry to allow data transmission and avoid the need of double 

entries.  In  terms  of  data  protection,  a  stringent  data  protection  policy  was  applied  in  full 

compliance  with  the  EU  data  protection  legislation  as  well  as  national  regulations  on  patient 

privacy and data protection. This included central pseudonymisation of entries and the separate 

storage of medical and patient identifying information. 

Specific Results 

Key specific results included: 

  Two different websites targeting health professionals22 and patients.23 

  Patient information materials for all major diseases. These were published on the ERKNet 

website in eleven different languages24 along with information on patient organisations25 

and communities per country.26  

  A  periodic  research  report,  which  provides  an  overview  on  the  rare  disease  research 

activities  of  the  ERKNet  members.  This  report  was  informed  by  the  milestone  reports 

achieved under WP3. 

  A  joint  registry  of  rare  kidney  disease  patients  established  and  populated  by  ERKNet 

members. 

22 ERKNet: ERKNet. 
23 ERKNet for Patients – The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network. 
24 Rare Kidney Diseases – ERKNet for Patients – The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network. 
25 Patient Organisations by Country – ERKNet for Patients – The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network. 
26 Patient Communities – ERKNet for Patients – The European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network. 

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  A highly successful ERKNet Webinar series with over 100 webinars in total. These online 

educational events were held every two weeks and consist of a lecture followed by a Q&A 

session. 

3. OPERATING GRANTS 
15 NGOs that signed a framework partnership agreement (FPA) in 2017 were invited to submit 

their  proposals  for  a  specific  grant  agreement  (SGA)  to  cover  their  2020  recurrent  operational 

expenses.  

As shown in Table 1 below, the FPAs and their SGAs contribute to three Programme objectives, 

with  11 NGOs addressing Objective 1 (Promote  health, prevent  diseases and foster supportive 

environments for healthy lifestyles, taking into account the 'health in all policies' principle’) one 

contributing to Objective 3 (Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems) and 

three to Objective 4 (Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for Union citizens). 

Table 1: List of applicant organisations awarded an FPA 2017-2021 and subsequent SGAs  

Acronym 

Organisations 

EPHA  

EPHA multiannual work programme 

EUPHA 

Application for an operating grant EUPHA 

OBTAINS  OBesity Training And Information Services in Europe - phase 2 

SFP  

SFP Coalition's multiannual work plan  

ENSP  

ENSP - The Network - United for a tobacco-free Europe 

SHE 
Network 
AAE 

SHE Schools for health in Europe Network 

Stronger together 

C- EHRN 

Correlation Network on harm reduction and social inclusion 

TBEC 

AE 
ECL  

HAI 

Strengthening the capacity and capability of civil society to drive the TB 
response in Europe 
Alzheimer Europe  
European Cancer Leagues collaborating for impact in cancer control 

A plan for action: Ensuring equitable, affordable and responsibly used 
medicines in the European Union 

Eurordis  

EURORDIS - the voice of rare disease patients in Europe 

Thematic 
priority 

Objecti
ve 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

1.3 

1.3 

1.3 

1.4 
1.4 

3.6 

4.2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

3 

4 

13 

 
 
 
THALIA 

SAVDON 

Thalassaemia in action 
High-quality blood stem cells products available for all patients in need, 
and to protect the rights and welfare of volunteer stem cell donors 

4.2 

4.5 

4 

4 

Throughout 2020, in line with their SGAs, the organisations achieved their objectives, produced 

valuable work for their stakeholders and supported Commission health policy initiatives in their 

areas of activity.  

The work and outcomes of three of these organisations (AAE and ECL and THALIA) active under 

thematic priorities 1.3, 1.4 and 4.2 respectively) is described below. 

3.1 AIDS Action Europe – Stronger Together [AAE] 

More  information  about  the  work  of  AAE  is  available  on  the  organisation’s  website27  and  in 

Chafea database28. 

The  AAE  is  a  comprehensive  NGO  network  of  421  NGOs,  national  networks,  AIDS  service 

organisations, and community-based groups in 47 countries within the WHO European Region. 

For the 2020 SGA, AAE continues the work under the same objectives, presented in the FPA 2018-

2021.  In  particular,  the  AAE  contributes  effectively  to  the  HIV,  TB  and  hepatitis  response  in 

Europe,  providing  platforms  for  communication,  facilitating  collaboration,  networking  and 

linking.  Moreover,  amongst  its  aims  is  the  continuous  improvement  of  network  collaboration 

through governance and internal management. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 294 100,80. 

Brief Description of Activities 

The vision of AAE to fight HIV includes advocating for access and affordability of HIV treatment, 

tackling legal barriers in the response to HIV as well as stigma and discrimination.  

27 AIDS Action Europe | AAE brings together civil society to work towards a more effective response to the HIV 
epidemic in Europe and Central Asia. 
28 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

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Under the 2020 SGA, AAE implemented its work programme, i.e. to serve as the secretariat to the 

EU  Civil  Society  Forum,  to  monitor  and  contribute  to  policy  developments,  to  coordinate  the 

European  HIV  Legal  Forum  and  advocate  for  Civil  Society  concerns.  Moreover,  AAE  is 

committed to supporting the communication and exchange on information that will disseminate 

the  results  and  tools  of  the  Programme.  Besides  that,  AAE  is  supporting  national  and  regional 

advocacy efforts. Finally, ensuring topic-related sub-network cooperation and providing overall 

governance by the AAE Steering Committee have been key initiatives promoting the agenda of 

the organisation.  

Specific Results 

AAE has contributed to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV, viral Hepatitis, 

TB  and  sexually  transmitted  infections  (STI)  policies  at  national  and  international  level  by 

providing input to two Think Tank Meetings, coordinating Civil Society  response and input on 

policy implementation & monitoring, as well as giving input on WHO and UNAIDS policies and 

strategies  and  European  Monitoring  Centre  for  Drugs  and  Drug  Addiction  (EMCDDA)  and 

European  Centre  for  Disease  Prevention  and  Control  (ECDC)  guidance.  Moreover,  AAE  has 

served as secretariat to the EEU HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and TB CSF in collaboration with the 

European AIDS Treatment Group, a patient-led NGO. This includes managing the Civil Society 

Forum (CSF) coordination group, organising two CSF meetings, managing the online CSF group, 

communicating and facilitating communication with NGOs, stakeholders and partners as well as 

publishing the outputs and outcomes. 

In addition to that, AAE has effectively coordinated cooperation in the field of community-based 

voluntary counselling and STI/HIV testing (CBVCT) services, providing working meetings and 

enabling  decision-making  opportunities,  significant  steps  towards  improving  quality  in  HIV 

testing.  

Moreover, AAE established communication platforms and facilitated collaboration, networking, 

linking  and  learning  between  the  participant  NGOs.  This  was  achieved  mainly  by  improved 

bilingual  (EN/RU)  communication  through  its  various  communication  platforms  and  channels, 

15 

 
 
 
 
such  as  the  Clearinghouse,29  the  AAE  website,  the  EU  Health  Policy  Platform30  by  improved 

linkage of members’ profiles, projects and initiatives, newsletter and tailor-made mailings, printed 

materials and via face-to face meetings. 

3.2 European Cancer Leagues [ECL SGA 2020] 

More information about the work of the European Cancer Leagues available on the organisation’s 

website31 and in Chafea database.32 

Background Information 

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is a unique platform bringing together various 

cancer leagues active at regional, national and international level to achieve a cancer-free Europe. 

In coherence with the FPA 2018-2021, this SGA focuses on informing policy in order to safeguard 

that cancer control remains a top priority on the political agenda and promoting the European Code 

Against  Cancer  (ECAC),  an  essential  tool  for  cancer  prevention.  Moreover,  the  ECL  supports 

leagues in the implementation of the Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening, while also 

uniting leagues to advocate for equal access to treatment, support, and rehabilitation for cancer 

patients. Finally, the ECL advocates for the European Guide for quality improvement in cancer 

control to be better established and considered in national cancer plans. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 318 868. 

Brief Description of Activities  

The  ECL  has  carried  out  different  types  of  activities  in  each  of  its  priority  areas  in  order  to 

effectively  fulfil  its  role  as  Europe’s  biggest  association  fighting  cancer.  These  activities  are 

fundamental for implementing its five-year strategic plan and achieving the main aims of the SGA 

and the milestones and deliverables it sets out.  

29 Clearinghouse | AIDS Action Europe. 
30 EU Health Policy Platform (europa.eu). 
31 Home | Association of European Cancer Leagues - ECL. 
32 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

16 

 
 
                                                      
Amongst others, the ECL has organised the eighth European Conference on Tobacco or Health 

and also the publication of the latest Tobacco Control Scale report, which includes data from 38 

countries  in  the  European  region.  Moreover,  it  has  implemented  the  manifesto  of  the  ‘MEPs 

Against Cancer’, as presented at the European elections of 2019, through a series of coordinated 

actions and support in the organisation of four structured group meetings. 

The publication of the final report evaluating the impact of the European Code against Cancer33 

has  been  one  of  the  main  achievements  of  the  ECL  and  a  great  step  towards  disseminating 

information especially targeting policy-makers and the scientific community. In addition to that, 

the  ECL  published  new  guidance  and  training  material  addressing  cancer  in  the  workplace,34 

developed by its Patient Support Working Group. 

Finally,  the  ECL  has  been  actively  involved  in  and  enhancing  the  ECL  Youth  Ambassadors 

programme, so that it can reach a network of at least 40 European Countries, including all of the 

EU Member States. Building on its previous work, the ECL has continued to advocate the work 

of the ECL Access  to  Medicines Task  Force implementing the 2018  'Let's Talk  Access' White 

Paper on Equal Access to Medicines. 

Specific Results 

During  the  2020  SGA,  the  ECL  has  provided  recommendations  to  policy-makers  and  tangible 

support  to  patients  and  society  at  large,  bolstering  the  Programme’s  first  objective  to  promote 

health and prevent diseases.  

The active involvement of the ECL in fighting cancer has been of great significance particularly 

in  the case of the EU Pharmaceutical  Strategy,  on which the ECL has issued a position paper, 

sharing its views and reinforcing the proposed patient-centred approach. In that context, the ECL 

Access  to  Medicines  Task  Force  proposes  ways  for  the  active  endorsement  of  the  EU 

Pharmaceutical  Strategy,  suggesting  a  series  of  ways  to  tackle  shortages  in  the  pharmaceutical 

sector,  especially  oncology  medicines.  The  scope  of  this  paper  is  to  provide  concrete 

33 European Code Against Cancer - International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). European Commission: 12 
ways to reduce your cancer risk. 
34 ECL_Cancer-at-Work_Handbook-for-Employers_2020_digital.pdf (europeancancerleagues.org). 

17 

 
 
                                                      
recommendations for national and European decision-makers on how to best use legislative and 

non-legislative tools in order to enable patient access to safe and effective medicines throughout 

the European Union.  

3.3 THALassaemia In Action 2020 [THALIA2020] 

More information about the work of THALIA is available on the organisation’s website35 and in 

Chafea database.36 

Background Information 

THALassaemia  In  Action  2020  (THALIA2020)  focuses  on  Europe  and  targets  patients  with 

thalassaemia  and  other  haemoglobinopathies,  healthcare  professionals  and  policymakers.  The 

main objective of the THALIA project is to strengthen the education of patients, parents of patients 

and healthcare professionals, as well as the patients’ capacity, competency and networking across 

the EU territory. Raising awareness on thalassaemia is of great significance in order to prioritise 

its  prevention  and  management  at  European  level.  Finally,  THALIA  supports  research 

programmes and studies focused on the clinical management of Thalassaemia. 

The total EU contribution was EUR 257 027. 

Brief Description of Activities 

In  order  to  raise  awareness  on  thalassaemia,  THALIA  engages  in  a  series  of  education-related 

activities, i.e. organising capacity building courses for patients,  healthcare professionals (HCP) 

and  volunteers  from  Austria  and  Sweden,  informing  patients  and  HCPs  across  the  EU  about 

relevant  clinical  trials,  using  educational  online  tools  and  also  awarding  fellowships  for  EU 

physicians. The activities include either directly or indirectly elements pertaining to thalassaemia 

in general, the disorders’ inheritance pattern and prevention, potential health-related complications 

and social implications. All  of the news on how these  activities advanced  have been posted to 

35 THALassaemia In Action: The THALIA project – TIF. 
36 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

18 

 
 
                                                      
THALIA’s website Mobile App, which is updated on a daily basis in order to reach out to patients 

in the EU. 

Moreover,  THALIA  works  in  a  simultaneous  top-down  and  bottom-up  approach,  raising 

awareness among international organisations and EU institutions on subjects of interest through 

policy recommendations and position papers on Thalassaemia in the EU. It created quality tools 

for  national  health  systems,  such  as  the  Thalassaemia  EU  Electronic  Health  Record  and  Data 

Collection, and empowers patients through the creation of associations or support groups and via 

the exchange of good practices between associations. 

Specific Results 

Amongst others, THALIA 2020 has delivered an EU policy recommendation for thalassaemia, a 

policy paper including a description of the current situation regarding the prevalence and treatment 

of thalassaemia in the EU. Data from 12 centres using the Electronic Health Record were published 

in  January  2021.  This  scientifically  evidence-based  article  describes  the  current  spread  of 

thalassaemia  patients  across  Europe,  showcasing  data  obtained  by  the  centres  that  adopted  the 

Electronic Health Record. This includes a review of available healthcare services for patients in 

these countries as well as recommendations for the improvement of those services.  

Finally, a summary on the EU distribution of pocket guides for HCPs was published in January 

2021. It demonstrates the number of copies distributed and the methods used, as well as GDPR 

compliant information on the recipients of the pocket guide. Moreover, a brief description of the 

pocket guide, its features and the relevant milestones achieved has been included in the summary. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
4. DIRECT GRANT WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS 
Objective 3: Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems 

4.1  Support  for  the  European  Directorate  for  the  Quality  of  Medicine  and 

Healthcare (EDQM)37 and the European Pharmacopoeia 

Main objective 

Directives  2001/83/EC  and  2001/82/EC,  as  amended,  assign  a  central  role  to  the  European 

Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) in ensuring the quality of medicines in the European Economic Area 

(EEA).  

In  that  context,  the  scope  of  this  activity  which  ran  in  2020,  was  to  support  the  EDQM  in 

establishing harmonised quality standards and reference materials for biologicals in line with the 

EU  efforts  for  protection  of  animals  (Reduction, Replacement  or  Refinement  of  animal  testing 

outlined in Directive 2010/63/EC). Moreover, to safeguard the adequate and effective surveillance 

of the quality of marketed medicines in Europe, while also supporting the maintenance and further 

improvement  of  the  harmonised  identification  of  medicinal  products  in  Europe  and  globally. 

Through these efforts, the activity contributed to the development and harmonisation of quality 

standards in line with the EU pharmaceutical legislation, the facilitation of market authorisation 

and  surveillance  for  medicinal  products  and  finally  the  increase  of  availability  of  medicinal 

products for the whole European population. 

The total EU contribution to EDQM was EUR 3 300 000,00.  

Brief description of activities  

The activity unfolds in three different stages: 

1)  Maintaining and coordinating the Biological Standardisation Programme (BSP). The aim 

was to establish suitable methods for inclusion in the European Pharmacopoeia of a large 

variety of biological products and in particular, methods which avoid, reduce or refine the 

37 EQDM belongs to the Council of Europe 

20 

 
 
 
                                                      
use of animals. Establishing reference materials needed for application of such methods 

was also deemed relevant. 

2)  Maintaining  and  coordinating  the  European  Official  Medicines  Control  Laboratories 

(OMCL)  Network.  Targeting  to  coordinate  concerted  programmes  in  various  areas  for 

surveillance  of  the  quality  of  medicines  on  the  European  Market;  providing  and 

maintaining a number of suitable tools to keep the OMCL network operational.  

3)   Maintaining  and  coordinating  the  EDQM  terminology  activities.  The  aim  is  to 

continuously  update  the  Standard  Terms  database;  regularly  participate  in  relevant 

meetings to implement ISO 11239 in Europe with a view to creating a single set of technical 

terms as part of the IDMP project. 

Specific Results 

The support to the EDQM has been of great importance for the harmonisation of quality standards 

in regards to biological materials. Compared to medicines containing chemically defined active 

substances,  the  quality  attributes  of  biologicals  are  much  more  variable;  therefore,  more 

sophisticated  methods  are  required  for  their  control.  Moreover,  the  licensing  process  and 

subsequently  pharmacovigilance  for  medicinal  products  in  Europe  and  worldwide  have  been 

facilitated  through  the  harmonisation  of  terminology,  which  has  consequently  improved  the 

availability of medicinal products across Europe.  

4.2 OECD - Pharmaceutical innovation and access to medicines 

Main Objective 

The general objective of this action was to improve the transparency of pharmaceutical markets, 

to foster the ability of health systems to provide access to breakthrough treatments through pricing 

and coverage policies, while also improving efficiency of pharmaceutical spending and ensuring 

financial sustainability.  

This action which ran in 2020 contributed to the objectives defined under the EU Pharmaceutical 

Strategy, to “Ensure greater access and availability of pharmaceuticals to patients” and to “Ensure 

affordability of medicines for patients and health systems financial and fiscal sustainability”. These 

objectives were aligned with the objective of the OECD Health Committee under its Programme 

21 

 
 
 
 
of  Work  and  Budget  for  the  biennium  2021-2022,  to  increase  transparency  of  pharmaceutical 

markets.  The  action  complemented  initiatives  already  funded  by  the  Programme,  such  as  the 

EUnetHTA38 and the EURIPID Collaboration.39 

The total EU contribution was EUR 600 000. 

Brief Description of Activities 

The Pharmaceutical Innovation and Access to Medicines Action included four thematic WP that 

focused  on  analytical  work,  related  to:  1)  Monitoring  access  to  medicines,  2)  Transparency  of 

Resource  Allocation  in  the  R&D-based  pharmaceutical  industry,  3)  Competition  in  on-patent 

markets and 4) Improving data on pharmaceutical expenditure in hospitals and other health care 

settings. A fifth cross-cutting WP was devoted to all themes, organising meetings and capacity-

building workshops for officials of EU member states and their competent authorities. 

These activities were carried out based on literature reviews, analyses of existing databases that 

collate relevant data on medicines and the pharmaceutical industry, surveys with national officials 

involved  in  pharmaceutical  policy-making,  exchanges  with  members  from  the  OECD  Expert 

Group on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices and consultations with relevant Commission staff 

and working groups to collect input from experts at the national and EU levels.  

Specific Results 

By  the  end  of  the  OECD  –  Pharmaceutical  Innovation  and  Access  to  Medicines  Action,  EU 

Member States found themselves in a better position to formulate fact-based policies for pricing 

and coverage of medicines that provide access to breakthrough treatments while also improving 

efficiency of pharmaceutical spending and ensuring financial sustainability. 

In order to achieve these goals, upon the deliverables of the action were several reports analysing 

the  objectives  and  means  of  monitoring  access  to  medicines,  the  objectives  and  proposed 

framework  of  analysis  for  monitoring  resource  allocation  in  the  pharmaceutical  industry  and 

38 EUnetHTA. 
39 EURIPID – The European Integrated Price Information Database. 

22 

 
 
                                                      
competition in on-patent markets. Finally, the action delivered a report with a set of definitions, 

concepts and guidelines for estimating total expenditure on pharmaceuticals in the health sector.  

5. CALLS FOR TENDERS 
Objective 3: Contributing to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems  

5.1  Support  for  the  health  workforce  planning  and  forecasting  expert  network 

[SEPEN] 

Background Information 

SEPEN was a joint tender running from 2017 until 2020 in the field of health workforce planning 

and forecasting. The main objective of this tender was to improve the expertise and knowledge 

sharing among experts involved in health workforce planning, to sustain cross-country cooperation 

and to provide structured support to Member States for them to increase their knowledge, improve 

their tools and succeed in achieving higher effectiveness in health workforce planning processes 

and policy. The SEPEN joint tender built on the results and work undertaken by the Joint Action 

on European Health Workforce Planning and aimed to follow up some of the recommendations in 

the Sustainability Strategy40(JA EUHWF 2013-2016) as well as to address the expert network that 

was  already  in  place.  Hence,  its  main  objective  was  to  ameliorate  and  further  contribute  to 

Europe’s health workforce planning and forecasting agenda. 

The contract was awarded to the Joint Tenderer consisting of Semmelweis University (acting as 

the Coordinator), the University of Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), the Italian Ministry 

of  Health  (Ministero  della  Salute),  the  Italian  National  Agency  for  Regional  Health  Services 

(AGENAS), and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME). 

The EU contribution amounted to EUR 876 730. 

Brief Description of Activities  

40 http://healthworkforce.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/150907_wp7_d071_sustainability_plan_final.pdf   

23 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
The joint tender consisted of five WPs, whose activities are described as follows: 

  SEPEN  has  focused  on  organising  expert  networking  in  order  to  structure  and  exchange 

knowledge in the area of health workforce planning and forecasting, while also providing a 

forum to address health workforce challenges. This was amongst others achieved through the 

mapping of national health workforce policies in the EU Member States. 

  Part  of  SEPEN’s  activities  was  devoted  to  transferring  knowledge  and  good  practices  on 

health workforce through the organisation of European workshops, while SEPEN  technical 

assistance/support  activities  also  provided  on-request,  tailor-made  and  country-specific 

exchanges of expertise to a selection of countries on their national implementation of health 

workforce planning activities. 

  Finally, these actions were publicised and documented on the web. 

Specific Results 

In the three years of its action, SEPEN has provided numerous deliverables and valuable tools for 

health  workforce  planning  and  forecasting.  The  key  results  were  included  in  the  Executive 

Summary of SEPEN Outcomes in the Health Workforce field,41 which was published in 2021.  

Amongst these, the SEPEN Expert Network was established, on a voluntary basis, through the 

creation of a master database, which initially commenced with a group of expert members from 

the  EU  Health  Workforce  Joint  Action.42  The  network  was  further  developed  though  research 

covering intersectional and multidisciplinary stakeholders from all EU Member States. Synergies 

with other HWF-related networks were achieved, in order to contribute to policy development. 

These actions  allowed the SEPEN network to  grow significantly, including almost  400 experts 

from  all  EU  Member  States  and  the  UK,  representatives  from  30  non-EU  countries,  39 

representatives from European and 12 from international organisations. The continuously evolving 

network  provided  a  valuable  basis  for  designing,  creating  and  putting  effective  mechanisms  in 

place for knowledge exchanging, thereby facilitating the dissemination and knowledge uptake for 

all Member States.  

41 SEPEN_Summary_EN.pdf (healthworkforce.eu) 
42 Joint Action on Health Workforce Planning and Forecasting 

24 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
Moreover,  SEPEN  provided  an  in-depth  overview  and  a  detailed  “mapping”  of  national  health 

workforce planning (HWF) planning systems and related policies, strengthening and updating the 

evidence-based knowledge policy making summary of the HWF planning systems and policies at 

both national and EU level. The results of the mapping study and the country fiches43 generated 

were consolidated in the form of an e-book44 with country-specific details on stakeholders involved 

at national level in HWF strategies in the area of recruitment, education and training, (such as on 

legal frameworks, decisions, laws and regulations and plans of ongoing and upcoming actions) but 

also an analysis of the main challenges for the future. 

Furthermore,  SEPEN  actively  encouraged  exchanges  and  dialogue  amongst  experts  and 

stakeholders  on  topics  of  common  interest  through  the  SEPEN  network.  This  included  the 

organisation of 11 webinars, through the EU Health Policy Platform, five thematic workshops on-

site  and  online  with  more  than  200  participants  and  three  exchanges  of  expertise  (technical 

assistance)  in  three  beneficiary  Member  States,  while  also  improving  or  setting  up  a  HWF 

workforce planning system in the respective country. Based on a needs' analysis, carried out in 

consultation with the respective Member State to adapt to national contexts and envisage different 

options  for  the  implementation,  the  technical  assistance  activities  (advice  and  guidance)  were 

provided by experts selected from the SEPEN Network. Finally, ten newsletters were published 

on  SEPEN’s  website,  ensuring  wide  outreach,  increasing  the  impact  of  its  activities  and 

encouraging dialogue of stakeholders on topics of common interest. 

6.  HIGHLIGHTS  OF  CO-FUNDED  ‘CROSS-CUTTING’  AND 
‘OTHER’ ACTIONS 

6.1 Dissemination activities carried out in 2020 
In  2020,  Chafea  carried  out  dissemination  activities  to  raise  the  visibility  of  the  results  and 

successes of the Programme, to promote the Commission’s specific communication priorities, and 

to reach even more potential Programme beneficiaries. The Programme webinars held on 4 and 5 

March 2020 were the major events of the year, with over 350 attendees. They aimed to highlight 

43 SEPEN » Country fiches main page (healthworkforce.eu) 
44 D4_Final-study-report_EB-02-20-972-2A-N.pdf (healthworkforce.eu) 

25 

 
 
 
                                                      
the success stories of the Third health programme and to present EU health funding opportunities 

under  the  Annual  Work  Plan  2020,  such  as  calls  for  projects,  Joint  Actions  and  tenders.  In 

cooperation with the Programme’s National Focal Points, Chafea organised two information days 

(in Italy and in Sweden) with over 100 participants, on topics connected with the national policy 

priorities. Finally, an online Info day Meeting for Joint Actions was held on 8 June 2020, where 

the number of participants reached was 60. 

Chafea also actively participated in some major virtual international and European public health 

conferences attended by scientists and health professionals. Amongst these were the:  

  European  Public  Health  Conference  2020,  20-23  November  2020,  online  event  with  2 

sessions and a virtual stand organised. 

  16th  World  Congress  on  Public  Health  2020,  12-17  October  2020,  online  event  with  2 

sessions and a virtual stand organised. 

Online dissemination activities in 2020, exceeded the target with over 220 cross-linked news items 

on Chafea’s website with social media promo, webinars on funding opportunities, dissemination 

guidance for beneficiaries and an upgrade of the database’s features. Moreover, the crosslink with 

DG SANTE’s website and the Health-EU Newsletter boosted the communication of Commission 

measures taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Web publications (available to print on demand) produced by Chafea included three information 

sheets on cancer,45 integrated care46 and the Substances of Human Origin (SoHO)47 available in 

all 23 EU languages.  

In 2020, Chafea spent EUR 39 695,97 on dissemination and translation activities. This included 

the translation of six info sheets and organising events: the costs of venues, renting space for stands 

at exhibitions, travel and accommodation of experts and the production and printing of materials.  

6.2 Other actions  

45 Cancer - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
46 Integrated care - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
47 Substances of human origin (SoHO) - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu) 

26 

 
 
 
                                                      
When preparing policy and proposals related to consumer safety, health and the environment, the 

Commission  relies  on  two  independent  Scientific  Committees,  the  Scientific  Committee  on 

Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging 

Risks (SCHEER) to provide sound scientific advice and to draw attention to new and emerging 

problems.  The  COVID-19  pandemic  and  involvement  of  the  responsible  Unit  in  the  crisis 

management,  decelerated  the  Committees’  activities  in  2020,  thus  resulting  in  publishing  one 

SCHEER and six SCCS opinions and spending EUR 292 311,75 on special allowances paid to the 

members of the Committees for preparing the opinions. Additionally EUR 210 272 were spent for 

technical assistance performed by external staff (editing, proofreading, website mastering, etc).48  

In  2020  the  Expert  Panel  on  effective  ways  of  investing  in  health  published  the  opinion 

‘Organisation  of  resilient  health  and  social  care  following  the  COVID-19  pandemic’.49  The 

opinion identifies the building blocks of resilient health and social care, explores the elements and 

conditions for capacity building to strengthen health system resilience, addresses healthcare needs 

of  vulnerable  patients  at  times  of  crisis,  and  defines  a  blueprint  for  resilience  testing  of  health 

systems.  This  opinion  is  followed  up  with  a  specific  project  under  the  2021  annual  work 

programme of EU4Health50 (successor Health Programme of the EU over the period 2021-2027) 

to  develop  a  resilience  testing  methodology  to  help  Member  States  identify  health  system 

weaknesses and resilience gaps against future shocks including outbreaks, climate change induced 

adverse events, natural disasters or structural challenges. 

The study on the exposure of children to linear, non-linear and online marketing of foods high in 

fat, salt or sugar was financed by DG SANTE through the 2017 annual work programme (EUR 

500 000) and DG CNECT (EUR 270 000). The objective of the study was to provide evidence that 

would  enable  stakeholders  to  better  understand  the  problem  and,  as  a  result,  to  support  the 

48  More  info  on  the  Scientific  Committees  activities  is  available  here:  https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific-
committees_en  
49 The organisation of resilient health and social care following the COVID-19 pandemic - Publications Office of the 
EU (europa.eu) 
50  Regulation  (EU)  2021/522  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  24  March  2021  establishing  a 
Programme  for the Union’s action in the field of  health (‘EU4Health Programme’) for the period 2021-2027, and 
repealing Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 1). 

27 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
development of instruments and tools to protect children from marketing of foods high in fat, salt 

or sugar and help address childhood obesity.  

The study provided extremely important insights on the topics such as: 3.1% and 1.7% respectively 

of  all  advertisements  displayed  to  children  were  for  food  and  drinks;  64%  of  food  and  drinks 

advertisements displayed to children under 18 years were for products high in fat, sugar and/or 

salt; while browsing the internet, a child (below 12 years) could have been exposed to a total 732 

unique advertisements  for products  high in  fat,  sugar and/or salt during  the 30 days  period; on 

average a child in the EU aged 4-17 years was exposed to 4.7 spots per day in 2017 for products 

high in fat, sugar and/or salt, drinks or quick service restaurants; the most frequently promoted 

category of such advertisements online were for products classified as ‘sweet snacks’.  

The  results  suggest  that  there  could  be  scope  to  improve  the  current  legal  framework,  i.e.  the 

European Union’s audio-visual media services directive (AVMSD).51.  

The project is being followed up and the Commission is continuously supporting Member States 

in  order  to  achieve  the  WHO  targets  on  non-communicable  diseases  and  the  UN  Sustainable 

Development  Goals,  in  particular  Goal  3.4,  which  is  to  reduce  mortality  caused  by  non-

communicable diseases by one third by 2030. In order to support the implementation of the Farm 

to Fork Strategy and the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission launched the Best ReMaP 

Joint Action on implementation of best practices in the area of nutrition. Under this project, the 

participating countries are developing amongst others harmonised approaches to reduce (online) 

marketing of unhealthy food products to children and adolescents as well as harmonised protocols 

for the monitoring thereof in the EU. 

The project Support for Member States in mainstreaming health promotion and disease prevention 

including lifestyle medicine in health and educational settings (Chafea/2017/Health/32) resulted 

51 Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council  of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of 
certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision 
of audiovisual media services (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, p. 1). 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                      
in a mapping of health professionals’ education in the EU and in an EU-level workshop and an 

international conference to discuss results and to provide conclusions and recommendations.  

7. IMPLEMENTATION OF ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMME 2020  

7.1 Calls for proposals 
Chafea launched calls for proposals for projects, invitations for joint actions and specific grants 

for NGOs, from February 2020 on the Funding & tender opportunities - Single Electronic Data 

Interchange Area (SEDIA).  

The sections below describe the results of each of the calls.  

7.1.1 Joint Actions 
The grants for actions co-financed with Member State authorities are ‘actions having a clear Union 

added value co-financed by the competent authorities of Member States responsible for Health or 

by public sector bodies and non-governmental organisations, acting individually or as a network, 

mandated by these competent authorities52’. 

These grants enable the national authorities of countries participating in the Programme and the 

European Commission to take forward work on jointly identified issues.  

The maximum EU contribution is 60%, but it can go up to 80% for proposals that meet the criteria 

for exceptional utility.  

Countries participating in the Programme nominate competent authorities or other bodies, who are 

then invited to submit a proposal under the direct grant procedure.  

In the 2020 AWP, there were four joint actions for a total of EUR 12 398 329.25; one addressing 

the first Programme objective, two addressing the third Programme objective respectively, while 

the fourth was deemed of horizontal utility. 

52 Definition of a joint action according to Article.7 2(a) of the Regulation for the third Health Programme 2014-2020, 
https://ec.europa.eu/health/funding/programme_en  

29 

 
 
 
 
                                                      
Under  Objective  1,  Promote  health,  prevent  diseases  and  foster  supportive  environments  for 

healthy  lifestyles  taking  into  account  the  'health  in  all  policies'  principle,  the  joint  action 

‘Strengthening cooperation between Member States and the Commission in the area of tobacco 

control’  (JATC  2)53  was  launched,  to  facilitate  the  exchange  of  good  practices  to  improve  the 

implementation  of  the  Tobacco  Products  Directive  and  e-cigarette  regulation.  21  EU  Member 

States participate in this action, receiving an EU funding of EUR 2.5 million. 

Under Objective 3, Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems, the Joint 

Action  ‘Towards  the  European  Health  Data  Space’  (TEHDAS)54  was  launched,  forming  a 

consortium of 26 EU Member States (EU funding EUR 2.5 million). TEHDAS aims to set up a 

European Health Data Space, a critical step towards the establishment of data sharing in the domain 

of health and in particular, citizen’s health, public health, as well as health research and innovation. 

The Joint Action aims to propose concepts applicable to any secondary use of data by producing 

tools  for  an  operational  framework  and  governance  model  respecting  the  principles  of 

transparency, trust, FAIRness,55 citizen empowerment and a common good.  

Under Objective 3, the Joint Action ‘ImpleMENTAL’56 focuses on taking actions to ensure that 

mental health is promoted and protected, through the transfer of two best practices in the field of 

suicide prevention and in the process of reform of mental health services. 21 EU Member States 

participate in this action, which receives EU funding of EUR almost 5.4 million.  

Finally, the Joint Action ‘on increasing the capacity of National Focal Points (NFP4Health)’57 was 

launched  as  a  horizontal action, aiming to  facilitate the implementation of the new  EU4Health 

Programme Regulation by EU Member States or also other countries. The target is to reduce access 

discrepancies to the available funding opportunities under the EU4Health Programme amongst the 

EU Member States and other participating countries. In that sense, National Focal Points form an 

advisory system to participants in the EU4Health Programme that operate locally and support EU 

Member  States  and  other  participating  countries  in  designing  and  coordinating  sustainable 

implementation actions that will boost the achievement of health objectives for the period 2021-

53 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
54 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu) 
55 FAIR = Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable. 
56 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
57 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

30 

 
 
                                                      
2027.  21  EU  Member  States  participate  in  this  action,  receiving  EU  funding  of  almost  EUR  2 

million.   

The table below briefly describes each joint action by objective and thematic priority:  

Financial 
instrument 
Objective: 

Objectives' 
description: 

Thematic priority: 

Joint action by objective 

Amount committed in EUR 

1 

1.  Promote  health,  prevent  diseases  and 
foster  supportive  environments  for  healthy 
lifestyles taking into account the 'health in all 
policies' principle 

1.5 Actions required by, or contributing to, 
the  implementation  of  Union  legislation  in 
the field of tobacco products, advertising and 
marketing.  

User reference 

Title 

Amount committed in EUR 

2 499 999, 62 

101035968 - JATC2 
- HP-JA-2020 

Objective: 

Objectives' 
description: 

Thematic priority: 

Joint  Action  on  Strengthening  cooperation 
between  interested  Member  States  and  the 
Commission  in  the  area  of  tobacco  control 
(JATC 2) 
3 

Contribute 
to 
sustainable health systems 

innovative,  efficient  and 

3.2  Promote the voluntary  uptake of health 
innovation  and  e-Health  by  increasing  the 
interoperability  of  patient  registries  and 
other e-Health solutions. 

User reference 

Title 

Amount committed in EUR 

- 
101035467 
TEHDAS  -  HP-JA-
2020-1 

Towards  the  European  Health  Data  Space 
Joint 
Action — TEHDAS 

2 500 000, 00 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thematic Priority 

3.2  Promote the voluntary  uptake of health 
innovation  and  e-Health  by  increasing  the 
interoperability  of  patient  registries  and 
other e-Health solutions. 

User Reference 

Title 

Amount committed in EUR 

101035969 - Mental 

Health 

-  HP-JA-

Joint  Action  on  Implementation  of  Best 
Practices in the area of Mental Health 

   5 409 088, 96   

2020 

Objectives' 
description: 

Related to all Objectives 

User Reference 

Title 

Amount committed in EUR 

101035965- 
NFP4Health  -  HP-
JA-2020 
Chafea 
total 
committed  for  all 
joint actions 

- 

NFP4Health Joint Action on Increasing The 

1 999 905, 59 

Capacity of National Focal Points (NFP 

12. 

12.398.329,25 € 

12 408 994, 17 

7.1.2 Project grants 
Project grants were awarded to actions involving 80 organisations - mainly public health bodies, 

research institutions and NGOs. The maximum EU contribution is 60% of eligible costs, but it can 

go up to 80% for proposals that meet the criteria for exceptional utility.  

Chafea launched two waves of calls for proposals for projects in February and March 2020 in the 

following areas: 

  First wave, consisting in seven calls, as follows: Healthcare public procurement in the EU, 

support for health investment, support for the implementation of best practices in the area 

of mental health: Transfer of iFightDepression (European Alliance Against Depression), 

support for the implementation of best practices in the area of mental health: transfer of 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Housing  First  Portugal  (Casas  Primeiro  Portugal),  increased  access  to  vaccination  for 

newly arrived migrants in first line transit and destination countries, increased access to 

vaccination  for  disadvantaged,  isolated  and  difficult  to  reach  groups  of  population, 

stakeholder  activities  to  support  strengthened  cooperation  against  vaccine-preventable 

diseases 

  Second  wave,  dedicated  to  health  workforce  policies  (problems  of  staff  shortages  in 

medical deserts, policies of retention and task-shifting) and resulted in the selection of five 

projects: one initiative on retention policies, three initiatives on medical deserts and one 

initiative on Task-Shifting. 

Overall, 17 proposals were submitted in response to the calls; seven of those proposals were below 
the threshold and ten reached the threshold. 

Projects were under Objective 2 ‘Protect Union citizens from serious cross-border health threats’ 

or  Objective  3  ‘Contribute  to  innovative,  efficient  and  sustainable  health  systems’  of  the  2020 

AWP. They began in early 2021 and most will run for 36 months. 

The table below sets out the EU contribution allocated to each awarded project: 

Financial Instrument 
Objective: 
Objective's Description 

Thematic Priority: 

Project Grants 

3 
Contribute to 
innovative, efficient 
and sustainable health 
systems 

3.3 Support the 
sustainability of the 
health workforce … 

User Reference 

Title 

101018310  -  PJ-01-2020-1  METEOR  

EU funding in 
EUR 
364 424.69  

Total Amount in 
EUR 
607 374.69  

101018379  -  PJ-01-2020-2  ROUTE-HWF  

398 039.00  

663 402.14  

101018341  -  PJ-01-2020-2  OASES 

386 389.44  

644 212.55  

101018371  -  PJ-01-2020-2  AHEAD  

397 748.00  

662 915.29  

33 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
101018346  -  PJ-01-2020-3  TaSHI 

389 668.00  

649 448.27  

Thematic Priority: 

User Reference 

3.4 Provide expertise 
and share good 
practices to assist 
Member States 
undertaking health 
system reforms 
Title 

101018325  -  PJ-04-2020 

EAAD BEST  

Objective: 

2 

Objective's Description 

Thematic Priority: 

User Reference 

Protect Union citizens 
from serious cross-
border health threats 
2.2 Support capacity-
building against health 
threats in Member 
States, including, 
where appropriate, 
cooperation with 
neighbouring countries 
Title 

EU funding in 
EUR 

Total Amount in 
EUR 

1 582 480.96   

 1 978 101.26   

EU funding in 
EUR 

Total Amount in 
EUR 

101018349  -  PJ-06-2020 

AcToVax4NAM  

994 393.00  

1 242 998.67  

101018353  -  PJ-07-2020 

RISE-Vac  

951 120.03  

1 585 202.86  

101018282  -PJ-07-2020 

ImmuHubs  

989 104.39   

1 236 381.79  

101018210  - PJ-08-2020 

IMMUNION  

999 338.00  

1 249 172.57  

Chafea- total committed 
for all project grants: 

7 452 705.51  

10 519 210.09  

Under  Objective  3,  the  METEOR58  project  focuses  on  enhancing  knowledge  on  job  retention  

mechanisms in the health sector, based on data derived from studies in eight participant hospitals 

across four Member States (Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland and Italy), and developing policy 

58 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

34 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
     
 
 
 
                                                      
recommendations based on an extensive dialogue with stakeholders. This is to be achieved through 

the development of a questionnaire on job retention and the analysis of the derived data, systematic 

reviews on job retention determinants and retention interventions along with workshops and the 

development of an online tool. Participating countries are represented by: KU Leuven,  the Dutch 

Spaarne Gasthuis, the Medical University of Silesia, the University of Palermo and the Sicilian 

CEFPAS59. 

Projects  dedicated  to  problems  of  medical  deserts  focus  on  knowledge  building  and  providing 

support to policy solutions.  

ROUTE-HWF60 provides the definition and taxonomy of medical deserts, the specifics of which 

will  be  elaborated  through  literature  review,  country-specific  surveys  and  analysis  of  available 

data. The participating organizations include: the Dutch Institute for Health Services Research, the 

Finnish  University of Vaasa,  the  Avedis  Donabedian Research  Institute from the University of 

Barcelona, the Polish Jagiellonian University and the University of Zagreb Medical School.  

OASES  aims  to  build  knowledge  and  a  detailed  analysis  of  different  factors  causing  medical 

desertification. This  analysis  will feed into future policy scenarios with  solutions.  Participating 

organisations are: the Italian National Agency for Regional Healthcare Services, the International 

Network for Health Workforce Education, the French Institute for Research and Information in 

Health  Economics,  the  Romanian  Babes-Bolyai  University,  the  Hungarian  Semmelweis 

University, the French School of Public Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and 

the Moldavian National Agency for Public Health.  

AHEAD will build knowledge and evidence on medical deserts,  allow the exchange of lessons 

learnt  and  foster  policy  solutions.  Participating  countries  are  represented  by  the  Italian 

Cittadinanzattiva, the Moldavian School of Public Health Management, the Dutch Athena Institute 

59 Centre for Training & Research in Public Health (Centro per la Formazione Permanente e l’Aggiornamento del 
Personale del Servizio Sanitario) 
60 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

35 

 
 
                                                      
and  WEMOS61,  the  Romanian  Center  for  Health  Policies  and  Services  and  the  Serbian  Media 

Education Center.  

The  TaSHI62  project  addresses  a  novel  understanding  and  knowledge  on  task  shifting  and  will 

provide  for  the  transferability  and  uptake  of  good  practices  in  this  area.  This  project  aims  to 

produce useful materials for policy-making that foster overcoming health workforce challenges, 

as well as providing tangible solutions for organizational level issues, such as training materials 

and  a  task  shifting  curriculum  covering  core  competencies  and  skills  for  the  future  health 

workforce, a guidebook including information and experiences of case studies and lessons learnt 

from  real-life  pilots.  Participating  countries  are  represented  by  the  Hungarian  Semmelweis 

University, the Italian National Agency for Regional Healthcare Services, the Dutch Institute for 

Health Services Research,  the University of South-Eastern Norway, the  Lithuanian Ministry of 

Health, the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs and finally PoliS Lombardia.  

Under Objective 2, the three projects RISE-Vac,63 ImmuHubs64 and ActToVAx4NAM65 aim to 

increase  access  to  vaccination  for  disadvantaged,  isolated,  difficult-to-reach  groups  and  newly 

arrived migrants. 

Project  RISE-Vac  (Reaching  the  hard-to-reach:  Increasing  access  and  vaccine  uptake  among 

prison population in Europe) foresees a consortium of nine organisations (National agencies and 

authorities,  Healthcare  services,  academia  and  NGOs)  from  six  countries  in  Europe  (Italy, 

Germany, United Kingdom, France, Cyprus and Moldova) and targets the prison population.  It 

will devise and pilot models of vaccination delivery to respond to the needs of prison population, 

prison settings characteristics and national priorities. Benefits resulting from RISE-Vac activities 

will accrue also in the general population, increasing overall vaccine coverage. By upholding the 

principle  that  prison  health  is  public  health,  the  RISE-Vac  project  will  provide  tools  and  data-

61  WEMOS  is  a  non-profit  foundation  in  the  Netherlands,  which  aims  to  improve  the  health  of  men,  women  and 
children by influencing international policy 
62 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
63 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
64 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
65 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

36 

 
 
                                                      
driven,  evidence-based  options  to  guide  European  countries  in  improving  the  health  status  of 

people in prison and European population at large. 

Moreover,  Innovative  Immunisation  Hubs  (ImmuHubs)  aims  to  reduce  social  inequality  and 

improve  the  health  and  wellbeing  of  disadvantaged,  isolated,  and  difficult  to  reach  population 

groups – excluding the population of newly arrived migrants. ImmuHubs actions are expected to 

enable  cross-sectional  learning  in  eight  participating  countries,  comparing  similar  population 

groups in each. The envisaged actions aim to establish proactive partnerships with citizen groups, 

public health agencies, key stakeholders and the general public to improve access to vaccination 

according  to  best  practices  for  community  partnerships.  Moreover,  the  project  will  create 

innovative immunisation actions, which will increase vaccine uptake across borders, generations 

and population  groups and develop  sustainable solutions  for vaccine protection of EU citizens, 

including during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The  project  ActToVAx4Nam  (Increased  Access  To  Vaccination  for  Newly  Arrived  Migrants), 

targets exclusively newly arrived migrants – in first-line, transit and destination countries – and 

aims to make access to vaccination  equitable and guaranteed. The project is implemented by a 

consortium  of  ten  organisations  from  eight  European  countries  (Greece,  Italy,  Spain,  Cyprus, 

Germany,  Poland,  Malta  and  Moldova).  The  project  focuses  on  updating  and  consolidating  

knowledge  on  reception  and  vaccination  systems  as  well  as  on  system  barriers  and  relevant 

solutions  at  EU  level  and  finally  to  build  capacity  at  participating  country  level  in  order  to 

strengthen  health  literacy  perspectives  through  target  training.  Finally,  ActToVAx4Nam  pilots 

testing  solutions  to  overcome  system  barriers,  demonstrate  effective  coverage  practices  and 

address suitable recommendations. 

Applying the Council Recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable 

diseases,66  the  aforementioned  three  projects  will  support  Member  States  to  reduce  the 

transmission  and  outbreaks  of  vaccine  preventable  diseases  amongst  own  target  groups  by 

increasing  vaccination  uptake  among  the  identified  target  groups  and  closing  the  vaccination 

coverage gaps.  

66 EUR-Lex - 52018DC0244 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu). 

37 

 
 
                                                      
Under the same Objective 3, IMMUNION67 focuses on increasing vaccine uptake and contributing 

to the 2018 Council Recommendation on vaccination (Improving IMMunisation cooperation in 

the  EU)  while  also  adding  value  to  EU  and  national  initiatives  -  particularly  the  Coalition  for 

Vaccination.  Activities  include  a  comprehensive  exercise  on  vaccine  acceptance/refusal  and 

resistance  within  different  target  groups  in  four  countries  (Greece,  Italy,  Latvia  and  Romania). 

Initial  research  will  focus  on  collecting  and  analysing  evidence  of  how  behaviour  influences 

vaccine  acceptance  in  general  and  particularly  during  crises  such  as  the  COVID-19  pandemic. 

Building  on  this  evidence,  IMMUNION  will  study  and  develop  strategies  to  support  vaccine 

uptake  in  targeted  communities,  with  a  special  focus  on  communication  and  community 

engagement strategies for health professionals/agencies to engage with groups with low vaccine 

uptake. 

7.1.3 Operating grants 
Operating  grants  are  awarded  to  non-governmental  bodies  that  pursue  one  or  more  of  the  health 

Programme’s specific objectives. They must: 

  be non-governmental; 

  be non-profit-making and independent of industry, commercial and business or other 

conflicting interests; 

  work in the public health area; 

  play an effective role in civil dialogue processes at EU level; 

  pursue at least one of the Programme’s specific objectives; 

  be active at EU level and in at least half of the Member States; and 

  have a balanced geographical coverage of the EU. 

All activities within the scope of Annex 1 of the Programme Regulation can be funded by a specific 

grant  awarded  under  a  framework  partnership  agreement  (FPA)  for  the  functioning  of  non-

governmental bodies (operating grants).  

NGOs  that  signed  an  FPA  in  2017  for  2018-2021  are  active  in  areas  of  health  promotion  and 

disease  prevention,  health  determinants  (nutrition  and  tobacco  prevention),  chronic  diseases, 

67 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

38 

 
 
 
                                                      
cancer, dementia, rare diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis, access to healthcare and 

substances of human origin. 

The  FPA  recipients  were  invited  to  apply  for  a  specific  grant  agreement  (SGA)  to  cover  their 

operating costs for year 2021. The maximum EU contribution is 60% of the annual operating costs, 

but it can go up to 80 % for proposals that meet the criteria for exceptional utility.  

In 2020 of the 15 operating grants signed, seven (47%)68 fulfilled the exceptional utility conditions. 

At  the  end  of  2020,  the  grant  process  was  completed,  representing  EUR  5  852  209,  00  of  EU 

funding.  

The table below lists all operating grants funded by objective and priority. 

Financial 
instrument 

Objective: 

1 

Operating grants by objective 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

Objective's 
description: 

Thematic 
priority: 

1. Promote health, prevent diseases and foster supportive 
environments for healthy lifestyles taking into account the 
'health in all policies' principle 

1.1  Cost-effective  promotion  and  prevention  measures  in 
line, in particular, with the Union strategies on alcohol and 
nutrition (…) 

User reference 

Title 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

101015414 - 
EUPHA-OG-
2021 - HP-
SGA-2020 
101015494 - 
2021-SGA-
EPHA - HP-
SGA-2020 

European Public Health Association (EUPHA)  

340 322.00 

European Public Health Alliance  

661 524.00 

68  Operating  grants,  SGA  2020  with  Commission  funding  higher  than  60%:  Smoke  Free  Partnership,  Correlation 
Network, AIDS Action Europe, European Network for Smoking prevention, European Public Health Alliance, SHE 
Network and Thalassaemia in Action. 

39 

 
 
  
  
  
                                                      
101015513 - 
SFP SGA 2021 
- HP-SGA-2020 
101008886 - 
ENSP FY 2021 
- HP-SGA-2020 
101015541 - 
OBTAINS-
E2_2021 - HP-
SGA-2020 
101015588 - 
SHE - HP-SGA-
2020 

Smoke Free Partnership 

470 644.00 

European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention  

473 035.00 

OBesity  Training  And  Information  Services  in  Europe  - 
phase 2 

254 139.00 

Schools for health in Europe Foundation 

358 536.00 

Thematic 
priority: 

1.3 Support effective responses to communicable diseases 
such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis 

User reference 

Title 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

101015508 - 
TBEC_2021 - 
HP-SGA-2020 

101015472 - 
AAE - HP-
SGA-2020 

101008038 - C-
EHRN - HP-
SGA-2020 

Thematic 
priority: 

User reference 

101013665 - 
AE2021 - HP-
SGA-2020 

101015525 - 
ECL SGA 2021 
- HP-SGA-2020 

TBEC:  strengthening  TB  response  in  the  WHO  Europe 
region 

118 297.00 

AIDS Action Europe - Stronger together 

324 986.00 

Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network 

220 944.00 

1.4  Support  cooperation  and  networking  in  the  Union  in 
relation  to  preventing  and  improving  the  response  to 
chronic diseases 

Title 

Alzheimer Europe 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

483 495.00 

European  Cancer  Leagues  -Collaborating  for  impact  in 
cancer control  

312 258.00 

Objective: 

3 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
Objective's 
description: 

3. Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable 
health systems. 

Thematic 
priority: 

3.6  Implementation  of  Union  legislation  in  the  field  of 
medical  devices,  medicinal  products  and  cross-border 
healthcare 

User reference 

Title 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

101015503 - 
HAI SGA 2021 
- HP-SGA-2020 

A  plan  for  action:  Ensuring  equitable,  affordable  and 
responsibly used medicines in the European Union 

212 094.00 

Objective: 

4 

Objective's 
description: 

4. Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for Union 
citizens 

Thematic 
priority: 

4.2 Coordinated action at Union level in order to effectively 
help patients affected by rare diseases 

User reference 

101015599 - 
EURORDIS 
SGA 2021 - HP-
SGA-2020 
101015571 - 
THALIA2021 - 
HP-SGA-2020 

Thematic 
priority: 

Title 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

Eurordis Rare Diseases Europe SGA 2020 

1 074 984.00 

THALassaemia in action 2020 

261 951.00 

4.5  Implementation  of  Union  legislation  in  the  fields  of 
human  tissues  and  cells,  blood,  human  organs,  medical 
devices, medicinal products, and patients’ rights in cross-
border health care 

User reference 

Title 

101015514 - 
SAVDON - HP-
SGA-2020 

High-quality  blood  stem  cell  products  for  all  patients  in 
need,  while  protecting  the  rights  and  welfare  of  the 
volunteer donors 

Chafea – total 
committed for 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

285 000.00 

5 852 209.00 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
all operating 
grants: 

Among the 15 NGOS who received funding for their operating, we are mentioning the activities 

of two below: 

The Schools for Health in  Europe Network Foundation (SHE Network)69  is  an  NGO  driven to 

improve the health of children and young people in Europe, by  further developing national and 

regional networks facilitating the exchange of best practices, expertise and skills. Moreover, the 

SHE  Network  supports  professional  competence  development  and  also  provides  access  to 

information and research-based knowledge. The aforementioned objectives enable the creation of 

a platform for policy-makers, researchers and professionals seeking relevant material in order to 

promote the health of children and young people in the EU. 

The overall objective of the Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN)70 is to 

improve the access to and the quality of harm reduction services for people who use drugs (PWUD) 

also  including  other  related  vulnerable  and  marginalised  people  and  to  enhance  policies  and 

practices that increase social inclusion. The strategic objectives, activities and operational targets 

of C-EHRN are organised in four different pillars: the creation of a network, monitoring activities 

and data collection, capacity building and advocacy. Activities within the various pillars inform 

and contribute to each other.  

C-EHRN activities in 2020 build upon the developments and achievements of the previous years 

and respond to current challenges. In short, these include the further expansion of the network by 

utilising  the  expertise  of  its  members  and  by  involving  them  actively  in  the  development  and 

implementation  of  C-EHRN  activities.  Furthermore,  the  content  of  the  C-EHRN  tool  was 

enhanced by the evaluation of the monitoring process, based on 2019 results, therefore improving 

the  coverage,  outcomes  and  applicability  of  the  tool.  Efforts  have  also  been  supported  by  the 

development  of thematic papers, materials  and the organisation  and trainings, while finally the 

69 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 
70 Health Programme DataBase - European Commission (europa.eu). 

42 

 
 
 
                                                      
identification  and  analysis  of  relevant  policy  developments  have  led  to  the  formulation  of  an 

updated advocacy strategy for 2020-2021. 

7.1.4 Direct grant agreements with International Organisations 
Direct  grant  agreements  are  awarded  to  international  organisations  active  in  the  area  of  public 

health71  for  specific  activities  requiring  organisations  with  particular  technical  competence, 

specialisation  or  administrative  powers,  on  the  condition  that  the  activities  concerned  are  not 

included in a call for proposals.  

Funding  for  actions  with  international  organisations  are  allocated  exclusively  through  grant 

agreements without a call for proposals on topics specifically identified in the work programme. 

The maximum EU contribution is 60%. 

In 2020, Chafea signed three direct grant agreements with the OECD72 and one with the EDQM73 

for a total amount of EUR 5 730 000. 

The table below lists all direct grant agreements per objective and priority. 

Financial instrument 

Direct grant agreements by 
objective 

Amount committed in EUR 

Objective: 

1 

Objective's description: 

Thematic priority: 

Promote  health,  prevent  disease 
and 
lifestyles 
foster  healthy 
through 'health in all policies 

knowledge 

1.6  Foster  a  health  information 
system 
and 
to 
contribute 
evidence-based 
decision-making 

to 

User reference 

Title 

Amount Committed in EUR 

71 Article 195(f) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046. 
72 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 
73 European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                      
2020  51  01  OECD  (PAGA)  - 
PATIENT 
REPORTED 
MEASURES 

OECD – support for development 
and  implementation  of  patient-
reported measures 

500 000.00 

Objective: 

3 

Objective's Description: 

Thematic priority: 

innovative, 
to 
Contribute 
efficient  and  sustainable  health 
systems 

required  by  or 
3.6  Actions 
the 
contributing 
Union 
implementation 
legislation in the field of medical 
devices,  medicinal  products  and 
cross-border healthcare 

to 
of 

User reference 

Title 

Amount Committed in EUR 

2020  53  04  COE  (PAGA)  - 
EDQM 
EUROPEAN 
PHARMACOPOEIA 

/ 

of 

Europe  — 
Council 
contribution to work of European 
Pharmacopoeia 

3 300 000.00 

Thematic Priority: 

knowledge 

3.7  Foster  a  health  information 
system 
and 
to 
evidence-based 
contribute 
decision-making 

to 

User reference 

Title 

Amount Committed in EUR 

2020  53  02  OECD  (PAGA)  - 
BEST PRACTICES 

2020  53  03  OECD  (PAGA)  - 
ACCESS TO MEDICINES 

OECD  –  health 
information 
support  for  prioritisation  of  best 
practice implementation 

OECD 
innovation 
medicines 

– 

pharmaceutical 
to 
access 

and 

1 330 000.00 

600 000.00 

Total: 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chafea  –  total  committed  for 
all direct grants:  

5 730 000.00 

7.1.5 Other direct award of grants 

Presidency conference grants – de jure monopoly  

The Presidency conferences financed under the 2020 AWP were organised under the Portuguese 

and the German Presidency of the EU Council.  

Under the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a high-level conference on 

‘Digital Health 2020 – EU on the Move’74 was held online on 11 November 2020. It  aimed at 

driving forward discussions in the area of digital health, while bringing together the representatives 

of all stakeholders involved in the further development of digital health. The aim was to discuss 

the recently adopted Commission proposal, European Health Data Space75, the creation of which 

is currently one of the most significant projects in the domain of digital health in the EU. 

Under  the  Portuguese  Presidency  of  the  Council  of  the  European  Union,  the  conference  on 

‘Accessibility, Availability & Affordability of Medicines and Medical Devices for a Stronger and 

Resilient EU’76 was held on 29 and 30 April 2021 as a hybrid event organised partially in Lisbon 

and online. It aimed to generate cross-sectoral dialogue on access to medicine and medical devices, 

a major challenge to health systems in the EU. 

Financial 
instrument 

Health programme support to Presidency 
conferences by objective 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

Objective: 
Objectives' 
description: 

3 
Contribute  to  innovative,  efficient  and  sustainable 
health systems 

74 Digital Health 2020 – EU on the Move - EU2020 - EN. 
75  The  Commossion  proposal  on  the  European  Health  Data  Space  (EUR-Lex  -  52022PC0197  -  EN  -  EUR-Lex 
(europa.eu)) was adopted on 3 May 2022 

76The  3As  Conference  “Availability,  Accessibility,  Affordability  of  Medicines  &  Medical  Devices” 
(2021portugal.eu). 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                      
Thematic priority: 

3.2 Promote the voluntary uptake of health innovation 
and  e-Health  by  increasing  the  interoperability  of 
patient registries and other e-Health solutions 

User reference 

Title 

101035996  -  C3As-
HP-PC-2020-02 

Objective: 

Objectives' 
description: 
Thematic priority: 

Conference 
on  Accessibility,  Availability  & 
Affordability of Medicines and Medical Devices For a 
Stronger and Resilient EU 
4 

Facilitate  access  to  better  and  safer  healthcare  for 
Union citizens 
4.5  Actions  required  by,  or  contributing  to,  the 
implementation  of  Union  legislation  in  the  fields  of 
human tissues and cells, blood, human organs, medical 
devices,  medicinal  products,  and  patients'  rights  in 
cross-border healthcare  

User reference 

Title 

High level presidency conference – ‘Digital Health 
2020 – EU on the move’ 

-  HLC 
101004017 
DE PRES 2020 - HP-
PC-2020-01 
Chafea – total 
committed for 
Presidency 
conferences: 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 
62 984, 92 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 
100 000, 00 

162 984, 92 

7.2 Beneficiaries 
There were overall 254 grants beneficiaries from the AWP 2020. Their geographic distribution shows 

that 174 (68,5%) are from an EU 15 country77 and 55 (21,6%) from those countries that joined the EU 

after 2004. From the list of countries participating in the Programme, 13 beneficiaries are from Norway 

77 15 countries that joined the EU before 2004.   

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                      
and Iceland (5%) and 13 (4,7%) from a candidate country  or potential candidate country78 (Serbia, 

Bosnia and Herzegivina) or a European Neighbourhood Policy country (Moldova). 79 See Graphic 1. 

In terms of budget distribution for grants, 80,3% of budget for grants was allocated to 15 EU countries 

that joined before the 2004; 15,6% to those countries that joined the EU after 2004 and 4% to other 

countries participating in the Programme (see Graphic 2).  

Graphic 1: participation in the health programme (number of organisations) - 2020 grants (%). 

78 The candidate and potential candidate countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North 
Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey 
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion 
on the Kosovo declaration of independence 

79  The  European  neighbourhood  policy  (ENP)  applies  to  Algeria,  Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Belarus,  Egypt,  Georgia, 
Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. It aims to strengthen the 
prosperity, stability and security of all. It is based on democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and is a 
bilateral policy between the EU and each partner country, with regional cooperation initiatives: the Eastern Partnership 
(EaP) and the Union for the Mediterranean. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                      
Beneficiaries

4,72%

5,12%

21,65%

EU 15

EU 12

EEA

68,50%

EU Candidate Countries & Potential
Candidates and Neighbourhood Policy
Countries

Graphic 2: Budget distribution in the health programme – 2020 grants (EUR). 

Budget Distribution

€599.770,95 

€450.657,44  % 

€20.783.164,23  -
80,3%

€4.043.300,98 
15,6%

EU 15

EU 12

EEA

EU Candidate Countries & Potential Candidates and Neighbourhood Policy Countries

Chafea organised two webinars on 4 and 5 March 2020 to further stimulate the participation in the 

health programme, and specifically to promote actions funded under the 2020 work programme. 

The  information  day  presented  funding  opportunities  amongst  others  on  the  Joint  Action 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
nomination process and the Commission’s policy priorities. This was followed by an Information 

Day  on  Joint  Actions  organised  on  8  June  2020,  which  gathered  60  attendees  (competent 

authorities of the countries participating in the programme only).  

Moreover,  to  promote  participation  in  the  2020  calls,  the  national  focal  points80  for  the  health 

programme organised two national information days81 in the form of webinars. These took place 

on  18  and  26  June  and  were  organised  by  the  Italian  and  Swedish  National  Focal  Points 

respectively  in  collaboration  with  Chafea.  Chafea  published  guidelines  for  applicants  on  its 

participants’ portal, and its helpdesk provided practical assistance. 

7.3 Experts evaluators 
Applications were evaluated in accordance with the rules and criteria set out in the annual work 

programme (AWP) 2020 and in the specific calls for proposals.  

The proposals  submitted under different  calls for proposals  were evaluated by  external  experts 

(peer reviewers), drawn from a list established following the call for expressions of interest in the 

area of public health – AMI H2020 database82. The external evaluation of the call for proposals 

supports the efficient and transparent selection of proposals funded under the AWP 2020. 

Twenty external experts from several EU Member States took part in the evaluation process for 

the award of the operating grants, project  grants and assessed the joint actions during a quality 

assurance workshop. 

The evaluation process took place in two stages: 

 

In  the  first  stage,  three  external  evaluators  assessed  each  proposal.  They  drew  up  a 

consolidated evaluation report for each proposal during the consensus meeting organised 

by Chafea.  

 

In the second stage, the evaluation committee reviewed the work of the external evaluators 

and drew up the final lists of proposals recommended for funding, together with the reserve 

80 http://ec.europa.eu/chafea/health/national-focal-points/index_en.htm  
81 Chafea (europa.eu). 
82 Experts - H2020 Online Manual (europa.eu) 

49 

 
 
                                                      
 
lists.  The  evaluation  committee  comprised  representatives  from  the  Directorate-General 

for  Health  and  Food  Safety  (DG  SANTE),  the  Directorate-General  for  Research  and 

Innovation (DG RTD) and from Chafea.  

7.4 Prizes – EU Health award for Cities, NGOs, Schools 

For the 2020 edition of the EU Health Award, the European Commission rewarded outstanding 

initiatives by cities and schools seeking to promote healthy lifestyles for children (6-18 years old) 

as well as outstanding initiatives by NGOs seeking to promote vaccination in children. Out of the 

more  than  110  proposals  received,  three  were  shortlisted  per  category,  bringing  the  total  of 

shortlisted initiatives to nine. The Jury decided not to award the category schools/kindergartens 

under the call for vaccination as the number of submissions was judged insufficient. The selected 

cities, schools and NGOs were announced as winners at the EU Health Award Ceremony, which 

took  place  virtually  during  the  annual  EU  Health  Policy  Platform  meeting  hosted  by  the  EU 

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides on 2 March 2021.83 The first prize 

for the vaccination category for NGOs was awarded to the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients 

and Friends (PASYKAF). Regarding the award on healthy lifestyles the first prizes for cities and 

schools  were  awarded  to  the  city  of  Iasi,  Romania  and  the  primary  school  “Vuk  Stefanović 

Karadžić ” in Doboj, Bosnia-Herzegovina respectively. 

Financial instrument 

PRIZES– EU Health award for NGOS, 
city and schools 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

Objective: 
Objective's description: 

Thematic priority: 

1 
Promote  health,  prevent  diseases  and 
foster supportive environments for healthy 
lifestyles taking into account the 'health in 
all policies' principle 
and 
1.1  Cost-effective 
prevention measures in line, in particular, 
with  the  Union  strategies  on  alcohol  and 
nutrition.  

promotion 

83 2020 EU Health Award for cities, NGOs and schools | Public Health (europa.eu). 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                      
User reference 

Title 

-  17.030100 

-  EU 
C2 
HEALTH AWARD – PRIZES 

EU HEALTH AWARD PRIZES 

Chafea – total amount 
committed for prizes: 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 
400 000.00 

400 000.00 

7.5 Procurement (service contracts) 
Procurement service contracts are used to purchase a variety of services, covering their full cost. 

Procurement procedures are used for the following tasks: 

  evaluation, monitoring of actions and policies, including impact assessment and health 

technology assessment, 

  studies, data analysis and information on health, 

  database development and maintenance, 

  organisation of workshops, trainings, expert panels and coordination groups, 

  scientific and technical assistance, provision of advice and opinions, 

  communication, translations and publications, 

  awareness raising and dissemination of the results, and 

 

information technology applications in support of policies. 

In  2020,  the  Commission  signed  several  service  contracts  and  specific  requests  using  existing 

framework contracts (FWC). Most of these contracts and requests were for horizontal actions, such 

as communication and IT services for the maintenance and functioning of existing IT tools. 

In particular, under Objective 3 Chafea signed a service contract for the provision of Joint Health 

Technology Assessment (HTA). The contract was awarded to the EUnetHTA21 consortium, led 

by the National Health Care Institute of Netherlands (ZIN) and including HTA organisations from 

ten Member States and one EEA country. The scope of this tender is to address key methodological 

issues in order to foster joint work amongst Member States on HTA, thus providing relevant input 

51 

 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
to  the  new  legal  framework  on  HTA  being  developed  at  that  time.  The  Regulation  (EU) 

2021/228284 on HTA entered into force in January 2022 and will become applicable in January 

2025, therefore, this service contract will support the implementation of the new Regulation in its 

preparatory phase.    

Development of the future European medical devices database (Eudamed) for the new regulations 

on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, was also supported by the programme 

through procurement contracts managed both by SANTE and Chafea.  

Technical assessment of the applications received in the framework of call for healthcare providers 
wishing to join the existing ERN. 

Under Objective 4, Chafea financed a study supporting the Impact Assessment of the Revision of 

Directive  2002/98/EC  on  safety  and  quality  of  human  blood  and  blood  components  and  of 

Directive 2004/23/EC on safety and quality of human tissues and cells and of their implementing 

acts.  The  duration  of  the  contract  is  nine  months  and  the  study  aims  to  support  the  European 

Commission in preparing an impact assessment report supporting the revision of the EU legislation 

on blood, tissues and cells. The scope of this impact assessment study is amongst others to provide 

a baseline description and to analyse evidence on borderline therapies and technologies. Finally, 

the study aims to analyse the effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of various policy options in 

order to achieve the objectives of the revision. 

Licensing and storage costs of the clinical patient management system. 

Programme Objective 

Procurement managed by DG 
SANTE in EUR 

Procurement managed 
by Chafea in EUR 

1. Health Promotion 

624 762.16  

854 300.00  

2. Health Threats 

- 

- 

3.Health Systems 
4. Better and safer Healthcare 
Systems 

7 476 762,50  

3 269 414, 00 

2 693 000, 00  

2 654 908, 21  

5. Horizontal Actions 

6 895 619, 15  

1 503 526, 19  

84 EUR-Lex - 32021R2282 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) 

52 

 
 
 
                                                      
Total Procurement 
Commitment: 

17 690 143, 81 

8 273 148, 40 

The amounts per objective and authorising organisation were as follows: 

The overall public procurement budget implemented by DG SANTE was EUR 18 035 143, 81. 

The overall public procurement budget implemented by Chafea was EUR 8 273 148, 40. 

In 2020, Chafea managed 18 procurement procedures for the acquisition of services.  

The  table  below  lists  all  service  contracts  signed  by  Chafea  and  DG  SANTE  categorised  by 

objective and thematic priority: 

Financial Instrument 

DG SANTE service contracts by 
objective 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 

Objective: 
Objective's Description: 

Thematic Priority: 

1 
Promote health, prevent disease and 
foster healthy lifestyles through 'health 
in all policies 
1.5 Actions required by, or 
contributing to, the implementation of 
Union legislation in the field of 
tobacco products 

User reference 

Title 

Objective: 
Objective's Description: 

Thematic Priority: 

B2 - 17.030100 - Supportive actions 
for the Tobacco Products Directive’s 
(TPD) implementation- better use of 
IT data 
B2 - 17.030100 - Supportive actions 
for the Tobacco Products Directive’s 
(TPD) implementation-Eurobarometer 
3 
Contribute to innovative, efficient and 
sustainable health systems 
3.2 the voluntary uptake of health 
innovation and e-Health by increasing 
the interoperability of patient registries 
and other e-Health solutions 

53 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
120 000, 00 

504 762, 16 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
User reference 

Title 

Thematic Priority: 

B3- 17.030100 - Study on the digital 
infrastructure for the EHDS 
B3- 17.030100 - Study on impact 
assessment of EU Health Data Space 

3.4 Provide expertise and share good 
practices to assist Member States 
undertaking health system reforms 

User reference 

Title 

Thematic Priority: 

C2 - 17.030100 - Health Policy 
Platform operation 
C2/A4 - 17.030100 - Health Policy 
Platform operation 
3.6 Implementation of Union 
legislation in the field of medical 
devices, medicinal products and cross-
border healthcare 
B5 - 17.030100 - Pharmaceutical 
framework – studies, conferences and 
working groups 
B2 - 17.030100 - Enhancing 
implementation of the cross-border 
healthcare Directive to ensure 
patients’ rights in the EU 
B4 - 17.030100 - Future proofing the 
pharmaceutical legislation-study on 
shortages of medicines 
B5 - 17.030100 - Follow up to the 
evaluation on orphan paediatric 
legislations 
B6/A4  - 17.030100 - Maintenance 
and development of the European 
medical devices database (Eudamed) 

B6/A4  - 17.030100 - Development of 
the future European medical devices 
database (Eudamed) for the new 
regulations on medical devices and in 
vitro diagnostic medical devices 

54 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
400 000, 00 

500 000, 00 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
185 000, 00 

158 000, 00 

39 250, 00 

394 475, 00 

383 537, 50 

500 000, 00 

130 000, 00 

4 290 000, 00  

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
B2 - Study to support the evaluation of 
the CBHC Directive by March 2021  

300 000, 00 

Thematic Priority: 

3.7 Foster a health information and 
knowledge system to contribute to 
evidence-based decision-making 

Objective: 
Objective's Description: 

Thematic Priority: 

- 

- 

17.030100 

(SCHEER) 

Scientific 
C2 
Committees:  Scientific  Committee  on 
Health,  Environmental  and  Emerging 
Risks 
and  Scientific 
Committee  on  Consumer  Safety 
(SCCS) 
4 
Facilitate access to better and safer 
healthcare for Union citizens 
4.1 Support the establishment of a 
system of European reference 
networks for patients with conditions 
requiring highly  
specialised care 

User reference 

Title 

Objective: 
Objective’s Description: 
User reference 

B3 - 17.030100 - Market study for the 
purpose of preparing the future 
version of the CPMS (an IT tool used 
by the ERNs for virtual consultations). 
B3/A4 - 17.030100 - Licensing and 
storage costs of the clinical patient 
management system 
1-4 
Related to all objectives 

Title 

A4 - 17.030100 - Information 
technology systems and services in 
support of public health policies 
 A4 - 17.030100 - Information 
technology systems and services in 
support of public health policies 
02 - 17.030100 Horizontal and policy-
related communication activities 

55 

556 500, 00 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
200 000, 00 

2 493 000, 00 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
3 352 000, 00 

2 467 208, 25 

766 410, 90 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
C1 - 17.030100 -Ex-post evaluation of 
the third health programme 2014-2020 

reporting  on 

B2  - Assistance to the Commission in 
the 
processing  and 
Member  State  yearly  data  collection 
related to the Directive 2011/24/EU on 
the  application  of  patients’  rights  in 
cross-border healthcare 2021 – 2022  

250 000, 00 

45 000, 00  

DG SANTE – total committed 
for all service contracts: 

The table below shows the service contracts signed by Chafea in 2020: 

Financial 
Instrument: 

Chafea service contracts by objective 

Objective: 

1 

Objective's 
Description: 
Thematic Priority: 

Promote health, prevent disease and foster 
healthy lifestyles through 'health in all policies 
1.5 
Actions required by, or contributing to, the 
implementation of Union legislation in the field 
of tobacco products. 

User Reference 

2020 71 05 

2020 71 04 

2020 71 06 

2020 71 07 

2020 71 09 

2020 71 10  

2020 71 11 

Title 
Assessment of characterising flavours in tobacco 
products  

Assessment of  characterising flavours in 
tobacco products 

Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products task 8.1(Management)_ 

Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products task 8.2 (Maintenance) 
Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products Tobacco 

Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products Tobacco  
Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products task 8.1(Management)_ 

56 

18 035 143, 81 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
46 500, 00 

43 000, 00 

115 000, 00 

135 800, 00 

183 000, 00 

85 000, 00 

115 000, 00 

 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
2020 71 12 

Total Objective: 

Objective: 
Objective’s 
Description: 

Thematic Priority  

Assessment of characterising flavours in 
Tobacco Products task 8.2 (Maintenance) 

131 000, 00 

854 300, 00 

3 
Contribute to innovative, efficient and 
sustainable health system 

3.1 
Support voluntary cooperation between Member 
States on health technology assessment under the 
network on health technology assessment set up 
by Directive 2011/24/EU 

Amount 
Committed 
in EUR 

2 999 664, 00 

Amount 
Committed in 
 EUR 

269 750, 00 

3 269 414, 00 

User Reference 

Title 

2020 73 01 

Thematic Priority 

Service contract for the provision of the Joint 
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) work 
supporting the continuation of the EU 
cooperation on HTA 

3.4  
Provide expertise and share good practices to 
assist Member States undertaking health system 
reforms by setting up a mechanism for pooling 
expertise at Union level 

User Reference 

Title 

Study on best practices in public procurement of 
medicines 

2020 73 04 

Total Objective: 

Objective 

4 

Objective's 
Description: 

Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for 
Union citizen 

Thematic Priority  

4.1 

Support the establishment of a system of 
European reference networks for patients with 
conditions requiring highly specialised care 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
User Reference 

Title 

2020 74 01 

Technical assessment of the applications 
received in the framework of call for healthcare 
providers wishing to join the existing ERN 

Thematic Priority 

4.5 

Actions required by, or contributing to, the 
implementation of Union legislation in the fields 
of human tissues and cells, blood, human organs, 
medical devices, medicinal products, and 
patients' rights in cross-border healthcare 

Title 
Study supporting the Impact Assessment of the 
revision of Directive 2002/98/EC on safety and 
quality of human blood and blood components 
and of Directive 2004/23/EC on safety and 
quality of human tissues and cells and of their 
implementing acts  

1-4  

Related to all Programme objectives 

User Reference 

2020 74 02 

Total Objective: 

Objective 
Objective’s 
Description: 

User Reference 

Title 

2020 71 02 

2020 71 08 

Administrative help for the implementation of 
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan 

Support to the steering group on health 
promotion, disease prevention and management 
of non-communicable diseases 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 

2 264 058, 21 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 

381 850, 00 
2 645 908, 21 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 

182 216.00 

850 560.00 

2020 70 02 

Best practices on cancer info day in Poland 

14 972.22 

2020 70 01 

2020 71 01 

2020 102 04 

Joint Actions info day in Spain EU4Health 
Support to the Steering Group on Health 
Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management 
of Non-Communicable Diseases (SGPP) 
Contract for the production of Programme 
videos implementing 

7 635.00 

388 614.00 

59 528.97 

58 

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
Total Objective: 
Chafea – total 
committed for all 
service contracts: 

1 503 526.19 

8 273 148.40 

7.6 Other actions 
In 2020, EUR 9 872 611, 33 was committed for ‘other actions’, of which DG SANTE committed 

EUR 9 222 611, 33 and Chafea committed EUR 650 000, 00. 

Other actions cover contributions paid by the EU as a member of the European Observatory on 

Health Systems and Policies and the administrative agreements with the European Commission’s 

Joint Research Centre, e.g. for tobacco ingredients, e-cigarettes and security features and support 

in the areas of healthcare quality, cancer, rare disease registration, health promotion and prevention 

of  non-communicable.  They  also  cover  the  cost  of  the  cross  sub-delegations  with  Eurostat  for 

morbidity statistics and the European health interview surveys (EHIS), the costs of medical device 

coordination group (MDGG) meetings (e.g. special indemnities paid to experts for participating in 

meetings,  work  on  scientific  opinions  and  advice  on  health  systems)  and  costs  related  to 

international cooperation on pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use. 

The table below provides information on ‘other actions’ implemented by Chafea.  

Financial instrument 

Chafea other actions by objective 

Objective: 
Objectives' 
description: 
Thematic priority: 

3 
3. Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable 
health systems 
3.7. Foster a health information and knowledge system 
to contribute to evidence-based decision-making 

User reference 

Title 

2020 53 01  

Total 

Membership contribution to European Observatory on 
HCS & policies 

Amount 
committed 
in EUR 

Amount 
committed 
in EUR 
500 000, 00 

500 000,00 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Objectives: 

1-4 

Objectives' 
description: 
Thematic priority: 

Related to all objectives 

5.16. Expert evaluators 

User reference 

Title 

External Evaluations 

Expert Evaluators 2020 

Total 

Chafea – total 
committed for all 
other actions: 

Amount 
committed 
in EUR 
150 000, 00 

650 000, 00 

The table below provides information on ‘other actions’ implemented by DG SANTE.  

Financial Instrument 

DG SANTE service contracts by objective 

Objective: 
Objective's 
description: 

Thematic Priority: 

1 
1.  Promote  health,  prevent  diseases  and  foster 
supportive  environments  for  healthy  lifestyles  taking 
into account the 'health in all policies' principle 

1.1 Cost-effective promotion and prevention measures 
in line, in particular, with the Union strategies on 
alcohol and  
nutrition 

User reference 

Title 

Thematic Priority: 

C1  - 17.030100 - Administrative agreement with JRC 
for support in the areas of healthcare quality, cancer, 
rare disease registration, health promotion and 
prevention of non-communicable  
1.5 Actions required by, or contributing to, the 
implementation of Union legislation in the field of 
tobacco products 

60 

Amount 
committed in 
EUR 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
2 500 000, 00 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
User reference 

Title 

Objective: 
Objective's 
Description: 

Thematic Priority: 

B2  - 17.030100 - Administrative agreement with the 
Joint Research Centre (JRC) to support work on 
tobacco ingredients, e-cigarettes and security features 

3 
Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable 
health systems 

3.6 Actions required by or contributing to the 
implementation of Union legislation in the field of 
medical devices,  
medicinal products and cross-border healthcare 

User reference 

Title 

B6  - 17.030100 - Organisation and management of 
the Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG) 
meetings (DG GROW) 

F5  - 17.030100 - Medical devices: reimbursement of 
expenses incurred by Member States’ experts 
participating in the joint assessments of notified 
bodies in medical devices field and associated 
activities 
E5  - 17.030100 -International cooperation on 
harmonisation of technical requirements for 
registration of veterinary medicinal products (VICH) 
van VICH outreach forum (VOF) 
B5  - 17.030100 - International Council for 
Harmonisation (ICH) of technical requirements for 
pharmaceuticals for human use and the International 
Pharmaceutical Regulators Programme (IRPP) 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
100 000, 00 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
70 000, 00   

28 000, 00  

26 000, 00  

250 000, 00  

B4/F5  - 17.030100 -Medicinal products for human 
use, clinical trials for human medicines, substances of 
human origin - reimbursement of experts' expenses 

1 375, 81  

B6  - 17.030100 - Technical, scientific and related 
logistics support for medical devices (JRC) 

2 715 729, 00  

61 

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Thematic Priority: 

3.7 Foster a health information and knowledge system 
to contribute to evidence-based decision-making 

User reference 

Title 

B1 - 17.030100 -Special indemnities for the Expert 
panel on effective ways of investing in health 

Objective: 
Objective's 
Description: 

4 
Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for 
Union citizens 

Thematic Priority: 

4.1 Support the establishment of a system of European 
reference networks for patients with conditions 
requiring highly specialised care 

User reference 

Title 

Thematic Priority: 

B3 - 17.030100 -Coordination of rare disease registers 
for the ERNs 

4.6 Actions required by, or contributing to, the 
implementation of Union legislation in the fields of 
human tissues and  
cells, blood, human organs, medical devices, 
medicinal products, and patients' rights in cross-border 
healthcare 

User reference 

Title 

B4/A4B3 - 17.030100 -Clinical trial EU portal 
database 

User reference 

Title 

C2- EU Health Award and Health Policy Platform meetings 
and reimbursement of participants, jury and materials 

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
220 000, 00  

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
500 000, 00  

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
150 000, 00   

Amount 
Committed in 
EUR 
200 000.00 

C3 - Global Commitments for HERA actions 

2 461 497.87 

62 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
DG SANTE – total 
committed for all 
other actions:: 

9 222 611.33 

63 

 
 
  
 
 
 
8. DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE REPORTING YEAR 2020 

8.1 Funding per thematic priority and financial instrument 

Objective:  
Objective's 
Description:  

Third health 
programme 
Thematic 
priorities 

1.1 Cost-effective 
promotion and 
prevention 
measures on 
alcohol and 
nutrition… 
1.2 Drugs-related 
health damage, 
information and 
prevention 
1.3 Support 
effective 
responses to 
communicable 
diseases, 
HIV/AIDS, 
tuberculosis and 
hepatitis 
1.4 Chronic 
diseases, cancer, 
age-related 
diseases and 
neurodegenerative 
diseases 

1 
Promote health, prevent diseases and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles taking into account the 'health in all policies' 
principle 
Chafea 
ERN 
actions 
SGAs 
under 
FPA by 
objective 

Chafea 
presidency 
conferences 
by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
service 
contracts 
by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
other 
actions by 
objective 

Chafea 
direct grant 
agreements 
by objective 

Chafea 
service 
contracts 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
other 
actions 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
joint 
actions by 
objective 

Chafea 
operating 
grants by 
objective 

Total 

Chafea 
project 
grants 
by 
objective 

0,00 

0,00 

2558200,0
0 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  2500000,00 

5058200,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

664227,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

664227,00 

0,00 

0,00 

795753,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

795753,00 

64 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
1.5. Tobacco 
legislation 
1.6 Foster a 
health 
information and 
knowledge 
system to 
contribute to 
evidence-based 
decision-making 

Total 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  2499999,62 

0,00 

0,00  854300,00  624762,16 

0,00 

100000,00 

4079061,78 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 
4018180,0

0,00 

500000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

500000,00 

0  2499999,62 

500000,00 

0,00  854300,00  624762,16 

0,00  2600000,00 

11097241,78 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Objective:  
Objective's 
Description:  

Third health 
programme 
Thematic 
priorities 

2.1 Improve risk 
assessment and 
close gaps in risk 
assessment 
capacities… 
2.2 Support 
capacity-building 
against health 
threats in Member 
States 
Total 

2 

Protect Union citizens from serious cross-border health threats 

Chafea 
projects 
grants by 
objective 

Chafea 
ERN 
actions 
SGAs 
under 
FPA by 
objective 

Chafea 
operating 
grants by 
objective 

Chafea 
joint 
actions 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
direct grant 
agreements 
by objective 

Chafea 
presidency 
conferences 
by objective 

Chafea 
service 
contracts 
by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
service 
contracts 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
other 
actions by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
other 
actions by 
objective 

Total 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

3933955,42 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  3933955,42 

3933955,42 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  3933955,42 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third 
health 
program
me 
Thematic 
priorities 

3.1 
Support 
voluntary 
cooperatio
n between 
Member 
States on 
health 
technology 
assessment
… 
3.2 
Promote 
the 
voluntary 
uptake of 
health 
innovation 
and e-
Health  
3.3 
Support 
the 
sustainabili
ty of the 
health 
workforce  
3.4. 
Provide 
expertise 
and share 
good 
practices to 
assist 
Member 

Objective: 
Objective's Description: 

Chafea 
projects 
grants by 
objective 

3 
Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems 
Chafea 
ERN 
actions 
SGAs 
under 
FPA by 
objective 

Chafea 
direct 
grant 
agreeme
nts by 
objectiv
e 

Chafea 
operating 
grants by 
objective 

Chafea joint 
actions by 
objective 

Chafea 
presidenc
y 
conferenc
es by 
objective 

Chafea 
service 
contracts by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
service 
contracts 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
other actions 
by objective 

DG SANTE 
other actions 
by objective 

Total 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

2999664,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

2999664,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

2500000,00 

0,00 

62984,92 

0,00 

900000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

3462984,92 

1936269,13 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

1936269,13 

1582480,96 

0,00 

0,00 

5409088,96 

0,00 

0,00 

269750,00 

343000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

7604319,92 

67 

 
 
States 
undertakin
g health 
system 
reforms … 
3.5 
Support 
actions 
which 
address 
health 
issues in 
an ageing 
society 
3.6 
Implement
ation of 
Union 
legislation 
in the field 
of medical 
devices, 
medicinal 
products 
and cross-
border 
health care 
3.7. Foster 
a health 
informatio
n and 
knowledge 
system to 
contribute 
to 
evidence-
based 
decision-
making 

Total 

0,00 

0,00, 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

212094,00 

3300000,
00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

6037262,5
0 

0,00 

3091113,46 

12640469,96 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

3518750,09 

0,00 

212094,00 

7909088,96 

1930000,
00 
5230000,
00 

0,00 

0,00 

62984,92 

3269414,00 

556500,00 
7836762,5
0 

500000,00 

220000,00 

3206500,00 

500000,00 

3311113,46 

31850207,93 

68 

 
 
 
 
Objective: 

4 

Objective's Description: 

Third health 
programme 
Thematic 
Priorities 

Chafea 
projects 
grants 
by 
objective 

Facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for Union citizens 
Chafea 
ERN 
actions 
SGAs 
under 
FPA by 
objective 

Chafea 
direct 
grant 
agreements 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
joint 
actions 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
presidency 
conferences 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
operating 
grants by 
objective 

Chafea 
Call for 
tenders by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
calls for 
tender by 
objective 

Chafea 
other 
actions 
by 
objective 

DG SANTE 
other actions 
by objective 

Total 

4.1 Support the 
establishment 
of a system of 
European 
reference 
networks  

4.2 
Coordinated 
action at Union 
level to 
effectively help 
patients 
affected by rare 
diseases 
4.3 Strengthen 
collaboration 
on patient 
safety and 
quality of 
health care 
4.4 Improve 
the prudent use 
of 
antimicrobial 
agents and 
reduce the 
practices that 
increase 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  2264058,21  2693000,00 

0,00 

500000,00 

5457058,21 

0,00 

0,00  1336935,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

1336935,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

69 

 
 
antimicrobial 
resistance 

4.5 
Implementation 
of Union 
legislation in 
the fields of 
human tissues 
and cells, 
blood, human 
organs, medical 
devices, 
medicinal 
products, and 
patients’ rights 
in cross-border 
health care 
4.6 Foster a 
health 
information 
and knowledge 
system to 
contribute to 
evidence-based 
decision-
making, 
including the  
use of existing 
instruments 
Total 

0,00 

0,00 

285000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

100000,00 

381850,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

766850,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  1621935,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

100000,00  2645908,21  2693000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

150000,00 

150000,00 

650000,00 

7710843,21 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
5. Horizontal Expenditures -  Related to all 
objectives 

5. IT / dissemination / Prizes (Horizontal, other actions related to all objectives)  

Chafea 
projects 
grants 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
ERN 
actions 
SGAs 
under 
FPA by 
objective 

Chafea 
operating 
grants by 
objective 

Chafea 
joint 
actions by 
objective 

Chafea 
direct 
grant 
agreements 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
presidency 
conferences 
by 
objective 

Chafea 
calls for 
tender by 
objective 

DG 
SANTE 
calls for 
tender by 
objective 

Chafea 
other 
actions 
by 
objective 

DG SANTE 
other 
actions by 
objective 

Total 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  1999905,59 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

1999905,59 

400000,00 

400000,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  150000,00 

0,00 

150000,00 

Objective: 
Objectives' 
description: 

Third health 
programme  

Thematic 
priorities 

1.2.2.7 NFPs 

3.1 Prizes 

4.1.5 

Dissemination   

5.16. Expert 
evaluators  

5. Horizontal/ 
ICT/dissemination 

Total 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  1999905,59 

0,00 

0,00 

0,00  1503526,19  6880619,15 

0,00 

2661497,87  11045643,21 

0,00  1503526,19  6880619,15  150000,00 

3061497,87  13595548,80 

TOTAL ACTIONS COMMITTED BY CHAFEA UNDER AWP 2020 

TOTAL ACTIONS COMMITTED BY DG SANTE UNDER AWP 2020 

TOTAL COMMITTED                                     

EUR 40 530 042, 00   

59,4% 

EUR 27 657 755, 14 

40,6% 

EUR 68 187 797, 14 

71 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
72