ECDC Extends Collaboration with Eastern Partnership Countries on Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
On 29 April 2025, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) of the European Commission officially launched the project “Strengthening Resilience to Major Cross-Border Health Threats in the Eastern Partnership Countries.”
This initiative is part of the European Union's long-term commitment towards the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. DG ENEST is funding a three-year (2025–2027) action titled “Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership.”
ECDC will implement one pillar of this action, focusing on enhancing resilience to public health threats, which was formally launched during an online event. The other two pillars, implemented by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, concentrate on developing a sustainable health workforce and strengthening mental health services.
The ECDC-led project aims at testing health systems and building sustainable capacities to respond effectively to public health threats and crises. To achieve long-term health resilience in the Eastern Region, the project will also establish a Community of Practice that will facilitate collaborative exchanges and peer support among experts in the sector.
Background
The Eastern Partnership is an initiative of the European Union involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It aims to sustain and deepen the relationship and socio-economic integration between the European Union and its Eastern neighbours, while promoting shared values and supporting resilience across various sectors, including public health.