As the EU Commission and representatives of member states gather on 3 April 2025 to discuss the reform of EU chemicals legislation REACH, HEAL stresses the importance of putting health at the core of the revision. The CARACAL meeting will see the EU Commission present their initial plan for reforming REACH.
Civil society engagement is at the heart of the European project and brings forward a unique perspective to EU decision-making.
In her Political Guidelines, EU Commission President von der Leyen has recognised civil society’s unique role. She has also committed to strengthening engagement with the EU’s citizens and stepping up engagement with civil society organisations that have expertise and an important role to play in defending specific societal issues. She has also underlined that civil society must be better protected in its work.
For over twenty years, HEAL has brought forward independent science – e.g. on savings to health cost by reducing people’s exposure to chemical or coal pollution. HEAL has given a voice to those whose health is most at risk from pollution or climate change. Together with our members, representing the public interest, we have highlighted gaps in EU environmental and climate laws and provided prescriptions on how to strengthen disease prevention. Through communication, engagement and advocacy, we aim to hold EU, national and international decision-makers accountable for better health.
In our daily work at EU level, there is no level playing field: unlike resource-rich actors such as foreign governments, multinational corporations, and business associations, HEAL and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) often lack adequate resources to be present in public dialogues at the European level, and ensure their national members’ expertise is included.
As a result, civil society requires EU support to ensure something at least closer to a level playing field, and the EU has facilitated this by offering operating grants, and by making EU-funded projects accessible to civil society. HEAL has successfully applied for operating grants under the EU LIFE programme for the past twenty years, to cover part of our costs.
Operating grants are awarded following a competitive, thorough and independent evaluation process, and recipients adhere to strict accountability standards, including monitoring, reporting, and audit practices to demonstrate transparent use of public funds.
As per our statutes, mission and vision, HEAL works independently of any political party or funder. Our members are our highest decision-making body, including for HEAL’s work programme and policy priorities.
For information on HEAL’s funding see here
For information on HEAL in the EU Transparency Register see here
For information on HEAL’s LIFE operating grant see here and here
For information on HEAL’s latest activities, see our Annual Report
