* Public health funding and [[Civic space|civil society space]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2025 |title=EU funding cuts force health NGOs to slash staff |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-funding-cuts-health-ngos-democrcay/ |website=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2025 |title=Health NGOs say fresh funding cuts a ‘blow’ to independence |url=https://www.euractiv.com/news/health-ngos-say-fresh-funding-cuts-a-blow-to-independence/ |website=Euractiv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2025 |title=The importance of operating grants for civil society organisations in the field of health |url=https://eu4health.eu/the-importance-of-operating-grants-for-csos-in-health/ |website=EU4Health Civil Society Alliance}}</ref>
* Public health funding and [[Civic space|civil society space]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 July 2025 |title=EU funding cuts force health NGOs to slash staff |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-funding-cuts-health-ngos-democrcay/ |website=Politico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2025 |title=Health NGOs say fresh funding cuts a ‘blow’ to independence |url=https://www.euractiv.com/news/health-ngos-say-fresh-funding-cuts-a-blow-to-independence/ |website=Euractiv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2025 |title=The importance of operating grants for civil society organisations in the field of health |url=https://eu4health.eu/the-importance-of-operating-grants-for-csos-in-health/ |website=EU4Health Civil Society Alliance}}</ref>
== Allegations ==
== Allegations ==
According to [[Politico Europe|Politico]] reporting, in February 2024 an anonymous letter allegedly from ex EPHA employees was circulated, with claims against the alliance’s management including [[harassment]], [[intimidation]], [[bullying]], [[Toxic workplace|toxic work culture]] and [[nepotism]] .<ref name=”PoliticoMay”>{{cite web | last=Eccles | first=Mari | title=Toxic bullying claims blow up Brussels’ biggest health NGO | website=Politico | date=20 May 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/epha-eu-public-health-alliance-ngo-brussels-toxic-work-environment-claims-nepotism-harassment-discrimination/ | access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> EPHA’s board promptly ordered an internal investigation through an independent law firm Thales.<ref name=”Wheaton 2024 w749″>{{cite web | last=Wheaton | first=Sarah | title=What Uber could teach Amazon’s banned lobbyists | website=Politico | date=29 February 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/what-uber-could-teach-amazons-banned-lobbyists-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> The ensuing [[governance]] crisis led to several board members and advisors resigning; some cited the controversy, one cited a lack of confidence in the external investigation, and others provided unrelated reasons or refused to comment.<ref name=”Wheaton 2024 h471″>{{cite web | last=Wheaton | first=Sarah | title=Von der Leyen and the dark horse lobby | website=Politico | date=28 March 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/von-der-leyen-and-the-dark-horse-lobby-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> The external law firm (Thales) rejected claims made against its “ethical and professional standards”. In parallel, a separate harassment complaint was received by external health service Mensura against one of the board members who stepped down.<ref name=”Eccles 2024 r754″>{{cite web | last=Eccles | first=Mari | title=The most chaotic NGO in town | website=Politico | date=4 April 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/the-most-chaotic-ngo-in-town-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>
According to [[Politico Europe|Politico]] reporting, in February 2024 an anonymous letter allegedly from ex EPHA employees was circulated, with claims against the alliance’s management including [[harassment]], [[intimidation]], [[bullying]], [[Toxic workplace|toxic work culture]] and [[nepotism]] .<ref name=”PoliticoMay”>{{cite web | last=Eccles | first=Mari | title=Toxic bullying claims blow up Brussels’ biggest health NGO | website=Politico | date=20 May 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/epha-eu-public-health-alliance-ngo-brussels-toxic-work-environment-claims-nepotism-harassment-discrimination/ | access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> EPHA’s board promptly ordered an internal investigation through an independent law firm Thales.<ref name=”Wheaton 2024 w749″>{{cite web | last=Wheaton | first=Sarah | title=What Uber could teach Amazon’s banned lobbyists | website=Politico | date=29 February 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/what-uber-could-teach-amazons-banned-lobbyists-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> The ensuing [[governance]] crisis led to several board members and advisors resigning; some cited the controversy, one cited a lack of confidence in the external investigation, and others provided unrelated reasons or refused to comment.<ref name=”Wheaton 2024 h471″>{{cite web | last=Wheaton | first=Sarah | title=Von der Leyen and the dark horse lobby | website=Politico | date=28 March 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/von-der-leyen-and-the-dark-horse-lobby-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> The external law firm (Thales) rejected claims made against its “ethical and professional standards”. In parallel, a separate harassment complaint was received by external health service Mensura against one of the board members who stepped down.<ref name=”Eccles 2024 r754″>{{cite web | last=Eccles | first=Mari | title=The most chaotic NGO in town | website=Politico | date=4 April 2024 | url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/politico-eu-influence/the-most-chaotic-ngo-in-town-2/ | access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>
In March 2024, the independent investigation was concluded. The EPHA President communicated it had found “no evidence of discrimination or harassment”, with the full report accessible only to the three remaining board members.<ref name=”PoliticoMay” /> In June 2024, the newly elected EPHA board issued a statement. It acknowledged some of the past issues and announced measures in response, including “demonstrating keen support and trust in all of the team”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2024 |title=EPHA Board statement: EPHA, from crisis to renaissance |url=https://epha.org/epha-board-statement-epha-from-crisis-to-renaissance/ |website=European Public Health Alliance}}</ref> In June 2025, EPHA’s past and current president together with the Director General, publicly communicated their reflection on the crisis, reconfirming “no evidence of wrongdoing on any of the points identified as important by the Board in place.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2025 |title=Strategy 2021–2025: learning through growth, disruption, and renewal; an organisational learning review |url=https://epha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/strategy-2021.2025-organisational-learning-review.pdf |website=European Public Health Alliance}}</ref>
In March 2024, the investigation was concluded. The EPHA President communicated it had found “no evidence of discrimination or harassment”, with the full report accessible only to the three remaining board members.<ref name=”PoliticoMay” /> In June 2024, the newly elected EPHA board issued a statement. It acknowledged some of the past issues and announced measures in response, including “demonstrating keen support and trust in all of the team”.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2024 |title=EPHA Board statement: EPHA, from crisis to renaissance |url=https://epha.org/epha-board-statement-epha-from-crisis-to-renaissance/ |website=European Public Health Alliance}}</ref> In June 2025, EPHA’s past and current president together with the Director General, publicly communicated their reflection on the crisis, reconfirming “no evidence of wrongdoing on any of the points identified as important by the Board in place.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2025 |title=Strategy 2021–2025: learning through growth, disruption, and renewal; an organisational learning review |url=https://epha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/strategy-2021.2025-organisational-learning-review.pdf |website=European Public Health Alliance}}</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
 |
|
| Abbreviation | EPHA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Rue de Trèves 49-51, 1040 Brussels, Belgium |
|
Official language |
English |
|
Secretary General |
Dr Milka Sokolović [1] |
|
President |
Dr Paolo Lauriola |
| Website | https://epha.org |
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is a Brussels-based European non-profit organisation that advocates for improved public health and health equity across Europe. Founded in 1993, EPHA brings together a coalition of civil society and non-governmental organisations active in public health, including national associations and European-level federations.
The alliance engages in policy dialogue with European Union institutions, the World Health Organization and other international bodies, with a focus on reducing health inequities and promoting evidence-informed policy making.
EPHA leads or co-hosts several thematic networks, including on antimicrobial resistance and health equity, and contributes to EU policy processes across areas such as commercial determinants of health, antimicrobial resistance, environmental health, and discussions around public health funding.
History and Structure
[edit]
EPHA was established on 12 September 1993, during the period when the Maastricht Treaty was nearing final ratification. This treaty introduced for the first time a legal basis for the European Community to contribute to public health protection under its Article 129. This role would be further expanded by the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997, whose article 152 broadened the EU’s public health mandate to include health promotion alongside protection.[2]
An international non-profit organisation (NL: IVZW, FR: AISBL) under Belgian law, EPHA is governed by two governing bodies, the General Assembly and the Management Board, both chaired by the President.[3] The General Assembly approves the Statutes, decides on the strategy of EPHA proposed by the Management Board, and approves the objectives and priorities. As of June 2024, Paolo Lauriola is the President of the Management Board.[4] In July 2025, EPHA’s membership included 47 organisations from 21 Countries in the WHO European Region, including both national associations and European federations.[5]
In its own words, EPHA’s mission is to bring together the public health community, to provide thought leadership and facilitate change, to build public health capacity, to deliver equitable solutions to European public health challenges, to improve health and reduce health inequities. The alliance’s aim is to collate the perspectives from the many sectors its members represent and contribute them to European policy dialogues.[4]
Engagement and Partnerships
[edit]
EPHA has worked in partnership with a number of national and international institutions and organisations, and has signed memoranda of understanding to formalise some of those partnerships, including with:
- World Health Organization – Regional office for Europe (WHO-Europe)[6]
- World Health Organization – Civil Society Commission[7][8]
- South-East Europe Health Network (SEEHN)[9]
- Colegio Medico de Chile
- OpenCom
- Institute of Public Health Montenegro[10]
The alliance is further a member of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)[11] and the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)[12]. It also (co)hosts, among which the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance co-hosted with the European Patients’ Forum,[13] a number of internal networks, and thematic networks on the European Union’s Health Policy Platform.[14]
The European Public Health Alliance’s work has spanned multiple thematic areas addressing the determinants of health. This focus, as well as EPHA’s role in public interest representation has informed work in specific advocacy areas, including:
Allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying
[edit]
According to Politico reporting, in February 2024 an anonymous letter allegedly from ex EPHA employees was circulated, with claims against the alliance’s management including harassment, intimidation, bullying, toxic work culture and nepotism .[27] EPHA’s board promptly ordered an internal investigation through an independent law firm Thales.[28] The ensuing governance crisis led to several board members and advisors resigning; some cited the controversy, one cited a lack of confidence in the external investigation, and others provided unrelated reasons or refused to comment.[29] The external law firm (Thales) rejected claims made against its “ethical and professional standards”. In parallel, a separate harassment complaint was received by external health service Mensura against one of the board members who stepped down.[30]
In March 2024, the investigation was concluded. The EPHA President communicated it had found “no evidence of discrimination or harassment”, with the full report accessible only to the three remaining board members.[27] In June 2024, the newly elected EPHA board issued a statement. It acknowledged some of the past issues and announced measures in response, including “demonstrating keen support and trust in all of the team”.[31] In June 2025, EPHA’s past and current president together with the Director General, publicly communicated their reflection on the crisis, reconfirming “no evidence of wrongdoing on any of the points identified as important by the Board in place.”[32]
