Date: 26 October 2026, 09:00 – 18:00

Location: Irish National Stud & Gardens, Kildare, Ireland

Across Europe — and in Ireland in particular — brain health is emerging as one of the defining health, social and economic challenges of our time. Brain conditions already affect millions of citizens, placing growing pressure on health systems, workforce participation and long-term productivity. At the same time, rapid advances in neuroscience, digital health and prevention are opening a window of opportunity to transform outcomes if decisive and coordinated action is taken now. For Ireland, with its strong life sciences ecosystem, active patient and carers community, commitment to innovation and focus on health system sustainability, the moment is particularly timely to shape the next phase of Europe’s response.

In the framework of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, this event will be a co-creation process engaging people with lived experiences, their caregivers, researchers, clinicians and policymakers aiming to demonstrate how more connected, people-centred approaches to brain health can deliver better outcomes, greater system efficiency and stronger societal resilience. The discussion will highlight practical solutions that can be scaled across Member States while reflecting national strengths and priorities.

Crucially, the event will demonstrate that the Irish and broader European brain community are aligned and ready to act. Across disciplines and sectors, stakeholders are increasingly united around a shared vision: breaking down silos, placing lived experience at the centre of policy and care and accelerating the translation of research into real-world impact. What is now needed is clear political backing to match this momentum.

By spotlighting Ireland’s leadership potential within a broader European effort, the event aims to catalyse concrete next steps toward more coordinated action on brain health, research and innovation. The message is clear: the tools, evidence and partnerships are already in place — and with timely support from policymakers, Europe can move decisively toward healthier brains, more resilient societies and sustainable health systems for the decades ahead.

The event programme and additional information will be added soon.