20 Jan, 2026

European Care Alliance kicks off 2026

The European Care Alliance is a group of 20+ civil society organisations and social economy organisations representing and supporting persons with disabilities, persons in need of care, and their families, service providers in the long-term care sector, health and social partners. It was set up in January 2024 to support implementation of the European Care Strategy.

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First meeting to kick off 2026

In Brussels on 20th January 2026, COFACE hosted the first 2026 meeting of the European care alliance where we planned out our actions for 2026 to help strengthen care systems across the EU.

It has been two years already, and a host of joint statements on the European Care Strategy and mainstreaming care in the Multi-annual Financial Framework!

Over the last two years we have issued a number of calls for:

  • A  European long-term care platform to boost implementation of the European Care Strategy recommendation on long-term care;
  • Appropriately funded, ambitious, time-bound and targeted measures to improve and expand their long-term care systems, supported by a national monitoring and evaluation mechanism;
  • Full take-up of the Long-term care monitoring and evaluation framework adopted last year, with qualitative and quantitative indicators which foster the development of strong national action plans on long-term care towards improved service coverage, more affordable quality care and coordination of care services across people’s life-course;
  • Decisive investments in care services including measurable commitments to implement the European Care Strategy through the next 7-year EU budget from 2028-2034.
  • A European Year of Care and Support.

For further information about the Alliance, please contact Sebastian Gonzalez sgonzalez@coface-eu.org

What is the European Care Strategy?

The European Care Strategy is a policy framework launched by the European Commission in September 2022 to strengthen care systems and improve both care services and care conditions across the European Union. It aims to ensure high-quality, affordable, and accessible care throughout people’s lives – from early childhood education and care to long-term care for older persons and persons with disabilities – while also supporting carers, especially women, who make up the majority of both paid and unpaid caregivers.

See more here

Joint statements adopted by the Alliance

October 2025: European Care Alliance calls for decisive investments in care services | COFACE Families Europe

March 2025: Joint call on Long-term care | COFACE Families Europe

June 2024: Joint Statement on European Care Strategy transparency | COFACE Families Europe

October 2023: Joint statement: Building up European care capital – sustainable investments, not burdensome costs | COFACE Families Europe

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