Vienna, Austria – May 11, 2026 – The ESR is pleased to announce that it will be a co-signatory of a joint letter to the EU Commission and 27 heads of states calling for health to be protected as a European priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034).
“Across Europe, there is growing recognition that health is fundamental to the European Union’s resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability”, said Minerva Becker, ESR Chair of the Board of Directors. “At a pivotal moment in negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), it is essential that this recognition is translated into concrete political and financial commitments.
The joint letter, supported by a broad coalition of health stakeholders, calls for health to be established as a clear strategic priority, underpinned by a dedicated and ringfenced EU budget. It reflects the need for a focused, coherent approach to ensure that Europe’s health systems are equipped to meet current and future challenges. As a co-signatory, the ESR strongly supports the letter and it’s aims to guarantee a dedicated long-term health budget for Europe. We welcome your support in this call.”
Listed below are the key principles of the joint letter:
Protect Health as an EU priority in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034)
- OBJECTIVES
With the European Parliament now adopting a robust mandate on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028 to 2034, calling for a €10.05 billion ringfenced health budget, the political signal from Europe’s elected representatives is clear. It now falls to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to respond with commensurate ambition and credibility.
The proposed letter remains deliberately focused on the recognition of health as a strategic priority and on securing a dedicated, ringfenced allocation within the next EU budget. In the interest of coherence and message discipline, it avoids references to specific diseases and refrains from introducing additional policy demands beyond the central objective of budgetary ringfencing.
The objective of the letter is twofold. First, to reinforce the political imperative of a ringfenced EU health budget. Second, to generate visible media impact that amplifies the political message and increases pressure on decision makers to align with Parliament’s mandate.
- SIGNATORIES
In order to create political and media impact, the desire is to achieve a large number of overall signatures. The signatory process will promote the signing of the letter by individuals, albeit individuals closely related to particular institutions, associations or organisations.
Target Categories
- Individuals in leadership positions of health and other NGOs across all disease areas and broader health policy fields
- Professors and research leaders from academic institutions and research bodies
- Leadership figures within individual health centres and hospitals
- Other esteemed figures in the healthcare sector e.g. award winners, media personalities etc
Examples of signatories
- Presidents, Past-Presidents and Presidents-elect of associations
- Board members and Committee chairs/members of associations
- Chief Executive Officers
- Directors of health centres and hospitals
- TIMELINES
A key target is to publish the letter ahead of the European Council (i.e. EU heads of State) meeting of 18-19 June → Publication by Wednesday 3 June
Signatures will be collected until Monday 1 June E.O.D – through this email address ‘[email protected]’ and also via an online form here.
- PRINCIPLES FOR DISSEMINATION
- The draft letter is to be addressed to Von der Leyen and all 27 Heads of Governments
- The draft letter is tightly focused on health recognition and ring-fencing in the next EU budget. To ensure coherence and tightness of message, the letter will not make reference to any specific disease needs. It will also not make additional policy asks to the ring-fencing of health budget.
- Individuals from contacted organisations are expected to sign through a digital form (here) where they will also have an option to provide a supporting quote. Quotes may be selected and used for social and other media opportunities
- Signatories are invited to post their support for the letter on their website and platform on publication day (3 June) and will be provided with a tool-kit to support this.