Dear EBC Members, Partners and Community,
As we approach EBC’s General Assembly, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together and report on a few highlights through this letter.
The past months have been marked by crucial milestones for EBC. The 2025 Brain Innovation Days brought together researchers, industry leaders, patients, and policymakers in Brussels to explore how Europe can strengthen its leadership in brain research, innovation, and care – with the Final Conference of the CSA BrainHealth setting the stage for the upcoming European Partnership for Brain Health.
Just weeks before, EBC returned to New York for the Brain Days at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where our global coalition once again made the case for the brain as an essential driver of sustainable development. We reaffirmed that the brain must be recognised not only as a health priority, but as a strategic investment in resilience, innovation and human potential. For the first time, brain health has been explicitly added to the United Nations Non-Communicable Diseases Strategy. This signals major changes in the recognition of the urgency to not only tackle the growing burden of brain disorders (neurological and mental alike) but to also place greater attention on brain health as a whole.
In my previous letter, I was referring to the many developments at the European policy level which are likely to impact the brain research and innovation ecosystem for the years to come, and the engagement of EBC with EU institutions to make the voice of the brain community heard. A key focus of the months to come will be placed on advancing an EU Coordination Plan for the Brain, an initiative that will unite stakeholders across research, care, innovation and policy to build a coherent European framework for the brain. At the same time, EBC will update the 2016 Consensus Statement on Brain Research in Europe, mapping the priorities for the next era of European brain research and policy. These efforts will ensure that our voice remains united and strategic as the EU’s new legislative cycle takes shape.
EBC keeps on strengthening its collaboration with National Brain Councils to develop national brain strategies, foster cross border collaboration and ensuring that the community can access the infrastructures, recommendations and methods needed to deliver tangible outcomes for the millions living with a brain disorder. We also continue our work to provide new insights and recommendations for improving care pathways through the Rethinking Schizophrenia project—following our Poland Country Profile in July, we will hold a webinar for the Denmark Country Profile in December—as well as ongoing work on the advocacy report for the Rethinking Myasthenia Gravis project
As we gather for the General Assembly, we’ll have the chance to celebrate these achievements and chart an ambitious roadmap through the final weeks of 2025 and into the pivotal year ahead. I look forward to our discussions on how we can amplify this momentum —through strategic engagement within the Rare Brain Disease Ecosystem and Knowledge Hub, especially during Rare Disease Day 2026, and Brain Awareness Week, which will once again shine a spotlight on the profound human and societal impact of brain conditions – and on the innovation, compassion and collaboration driving our community forward.
Thank you all for your continued support, energy , and commitment to this cause. Together, we are shaping the future of brain health in Europe and beyond – one where science, policy and society truly work hand in hand for the benefit of all.
Sincerely,
