EU4Health: the EU programme for improving public health and preparing for health crises
EU4Health is the European Union's (EU) largest health programme. Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it aims to strengthen healthcare systems and improve health outcomes across Europe.
Health is an investment. With an initial budget of EUR 5.3 billion for the 2021–2027 period, which was reduced to EUR 4.4 billion following the revision of the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, EU4Health represents unprecedented EU financial support for the health sector. EU4Health sends a clear signal that public health is a priority for the EU.
Official programme webpage on the European Commission website: EU4Health 2021–2027 – A vision for a healthier European Union (ec.europa.eu)
Established by Regulation (EU) 2021/522, the EU4Health programme provides EU added value and complements Member States' policies in pursuit of four general objectives, which reflect the programme's ambitions, and ten specific objectives, which represent its areas of intervention.
EU4Health programme objectives
1. Improving and fostering health:
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promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, including cancer prevention;
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international health initiatives and cooperation.
2. Protecting people:
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preventing, preparing for and responding to cross-border health threats;
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complementing national stockpiles of essential crisis-relevant products;
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establishing a reserve of medical, healthcare and support staff.
3. Access to medicinal products, medical devices and crisis-relevant products:
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ensuring the availability and accessibility of these products.
4. Strengthening health systems:
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enhancing health data collection, digital tools and services, and the digital transformation of healthcare;
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improving access to healthcare;
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developing and implementing EU health legislation and promoting evidence-based decision-making;
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strengthening integrated cooperation between national health systems.
The EU4Health programme is an important step towards strengthening health systems across the EU, increasing the level of protection for citizens and preparing for future health challenges.
Ukraine's participation in the EU4Health programme
For Ukraine, participation in EU4Health means:
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a direct pathway towards European integration;
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access to leading European practices and expertise;
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developing systems that are increasingly aligned with European standards;
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harmonising policies with European approaches;
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integrating Ukrainian professionals into the European professional community.
Ratification of the Agreement
On 15 July 2022, the Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on Ukraine's participation in the EU4Health programme was signed in Lviv. The Agreement was signed by Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, and Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
On 12 January 2023, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Agreement on Ukraine's participation in the EU4Health programme. The Agreement was given retroactive effect, allowing Ukraine to participate in the programme from 1 January 2022 and receive immediate funding under the 2022 EU4Health Work Programme.
This Agreement gives Ukraine the opportunity to receive EU funding for the health sector on equal terms with EU Member States, Norway, Iceland and Moldova.
Key roles in the EU4Health programme
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee consists of representatives from each participating country (EU Member States and associated countries).
Members of the Programme Committee provide input on annual programmes and comments on the proposed EU4Health Work Programme before its adoption. They also participate in the annual meeting and voting process.
In July 2023, the following members were appointed to the EU4Health Programme Committee:
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Ihor Kuzin, Deputy Minister of Health and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine (nominated by CA&AE);
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Vasyl Strilka, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine for European Integration.
Steering Group
The Steering Group consists of representatives from each participating country (EU Member States and associated countries).
Members of the Steering Group provide expert advice to the European Commission during the preparation of implementing measures.
The EU4Health Steering Group includes:
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Lesia Ukrainets, Head of the International Cooperation and European Integration Department;
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Yurii Shpak, Head of the European Integration Division of the International Cooperation and European Integration Department of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
National Focal Points (NFPs)
Each participating country nominates National Focal Points (NFPs), whose role is to support:
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the implementation of the Health Programme at the national level;
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the dissemination of the Health Programme's results;
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raising awareness of the impact of the Health Programme in the respective countries.
In February 2023, the following National Focal Points for the EU4Health programme in Ukraine were appointed:
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Olha Hvozdetska, Deputy Director General of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
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Oksana Bryzhovata, Head of the Project Management and International Cooperation Division.
Progress of the JA NFP4Health project
Key achievements of the National Focal Points include developing stakeholder networks and providing recommendations on nominating candidates for the implementation of EU4Health Work Programmes.
Institutions nominated to participate in the programme:
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Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine;
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National Cancer Institute;
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V. O. Vozianov Institute of Urology;
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State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (SEC);
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Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center;
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State Enterprise "Electronic Health";
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National Children's Specialised Hospital "Okhmatdyt";
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State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control;
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State Institution "Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine".
Projects under implementation
The EU4Health programme fosters close cooperation between Ukrainian and European institutions, contributing to integration and improvements in healthcare in Ukraine.
The European Commission's 2025 Work Programme was published on 23 July 2025. View the document.
As of August 2026, Ukraine has signed grant agreements and is implementing 21 Joint Actions, both as part of consortia and independently.
The Public Health Center (PHC) participates in 13 projects, acting as the sole nominated institution in 11 of them and cooperating with other Ukrainian institutions in two.
Projects implemented by PHC as the sole nominated institution:
1. JACARDI
JACARDI (Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes) is a European Union Joint Action aimed at supporting European countries in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, both at the individual level and across healthcare systems.
The project runs until 31 December 2027.
Project website: https://jacardi.eu/
2. JA PreventNCD
JA PreventNCD (The Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases) focuses on cancer and other non-communicable disease prevention. This Joint Action aims to implement and evaluate effective approaches to reducing the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, as well as promoting health across different population groups.
The project runs until 31 December 2027.
Project website: https://www.preventncd.eu/
3. EU-JAMRAI 2
EU-JAMRAI 2 (European Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections) is a Joint Action addressing antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections.
The project runs until 31 December 2027.
Project website: https://eu-jamrai.eu/
4. JA GHI
EU Global Health Impact is a European Joint Action aimed at maximising the impact of the EU Global Health Strategy.
The project ran from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2025.
Project website: https://ja-ghi.eu/
5. EU-WISH
EU-WISH (Wastewater Integrated Surveillance for Public Health) is an EU Joint Action aimed at developing an integrated wastewater surveillance system for public health.
The project runs until 31 October 2027.
Project website: https://www.eu-wish.eu/
6. JA MENTOR
JA MENTOR aims to reduce the burden of mental disorders and promote mental health and overall well-being at both individual and societal levels.
The project runs until 31 August 2027.
Project website: https://ja-mentor.eu/
7. MISUPH
MISUPH focuses on modernising epidemiological surveillance in Ukraine's public health system.
The project runs until 30 November 2027.
Project website: https://phc.org.ua/eu4health/misuph-ua
8. JADE Health
JADE Health (Joint Action addressing DEmentia and HEALTH) is a Joint Action covering all stages of dementia care, from prevention to treatment and support.
The project runs until 31 December 2027.
Project website: http://jadementia.eu/
9. JA-SAFE
JA-SAFE (Joint Action on Smoke- and Aerosol-Free Environments) is a Joint Action focused on health promotion and disease prevention, including through the creation of smoke- and aerosol-free environments.
The project runs until 14 October 2029.
Project website: https://www.jasafe.org/
10. NFP4Health2
JA NFP2 is a Joint Action aimed at strengthening the capacity of the NFP4Health network to support the implementation of the EU4Health programme.
The project runs until 9 October 2028.
Project website: www.nfp4health.eu
11. JA SHIELD
JA SHIELD focuses on medical intervention strategies to address infection-related cancers.
The project runs until 30 September 2028.
Project website: https://shield.chip.dk/
Projects implemented by PHC in cooperation with other institutions:
1. EUCanScreen
EUCanScreen is a Joint Action focused on implementing cancer screening programmes. The project aims to establish high-quality screening programmes to reduce the burden of cancer and ensure equitable access to healthcare services in EU countries and beyond.
Nominated institutions: Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, National Cancer Institute, and V. O. Vozianov Institute of Urology.
The project runs until 31 May 2028.
Project website: https://eucanscreen.eu/
2. JA Stockpile
JA Stockpile is an EU Joint Action aimed at ensuring comprehensive and sustainable strategic stockpiles of medical countermeasures for emergency response.
Nominated institutions: Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The project runs until 31 May 2028.
Project website: https://jastockpile.eu/
Projects implemented by other national institutions, in addition to PHC:
1. JARDIN
JARDIN is a Joint Action aimed at integrating European Reference Networks (ERNs) into national healthcare systems.
Nominated institution: Okhmatdyt.
The project runs until 1 April 2027.
Project website: https://jardin-ern.eu/
2. IncreaseNET
IncreaseNET supports capacity-building and the development of competencies within the EU regulatory network for medicines.
Nominated institution: State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The project runs until 31 December 2026.
Project website: https://www.jazmp.si/en/eu-projects/increasenet/
3. GAPP
GAPP is a Joint Action aimed at promoting a common and optimal approach to the assessment and authorisation of preparation processes in blood and tissue establishments.
Nominated institution: Ukrainian Transplant Coordination Center.
The project runs until 15 July 2026.
Project website: https://www.gapp-ja.eu/
4. EUNetCCC (CraNE2)
EUNetCCC (CraNE2) was established to support the implementation of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, which envisages the creation of a network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres.
Nominated institution: National Cancer Institute.
The project runs until 30 September 2028.
Project website: https://crane4health.eu/
5. JANE2
JANE2 is a Joint Action aimed at establishing seven new expert networks in the field of cancer.
Nominated institution: National Cancer Institute.
The project runs until 31 October 2028.
Project website: https://jane-2.eu/
6. HOPE4Kids
HOPE4Kids focuses on comprehensive palliative cancer care for children across Europe.
Nominated institution: Okhmatdyt.
The project runs until 30 September 2029.
Project website: https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4health-financed-projects/projects/hope4kids_en
7. CancerWatch JA
CancerWatch JA aims to improve the quality of data submitted to the European Cancer Information System.
Nominated institution: National Cancer Institute.
The project runs until 30 September 2029.
Project website: https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/cancer/europes-beating-cancer-plan-eu4health-financed-projects/projects/hope4kids_en
8. eCAN Plus
eCAN Plus aims to strengthen the digital capacities of cancer centres across Europe to improve disease prevention and treatment.
Nominated institution: National Cancer Institute.
The project runs until 30 April 2029.
Project website: https://ecanplus.eu/
As of 18 November 2025, Ukraine's total confirmed budget under the 21 Joint Actions amounts to approximately EUR 9.5 million (80% funded by the European Commission and 20% provided as the institutions' own contribution).
The programme is implemented by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Find out more about new opportunities offered by HaDEA, including calls for proposals for projects in the field of public health, via the relevant link.
For further information, please contact: eu4health@phc.org.ua