We are pleased to share that a JA PreventNCD–based proposal has been selected as one of the European Commission’s upcoming EU Health Policy Platform (EU HPP) Thematic Networks: “Youth Chapter Platform for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention.” This is an important milestone for JA PreventNCD and for our Youth Advisory Group. It strengthens youth engagement at European level and creates a concrete space where young people and stakeholders can work together to shape NCD prevention policy and practice.
“This selection is a strong step for meaningful youth participation in NCD prevention. It gives young people and stakeholders a shared space to turn evidence and lived experience into practical recommendations. We want youth engagement in the EU to be visible, consistent, and useful for policy and practice.”
Katja Čič, Youth Advisory Group Coordinator, JA PreventNCD
What is the EU Health Policy Platform?
The EU Health Policy Platform (HPP) is a collaborative online space that helps European Commission services, health-related interest groups, and stakeholders connect, exchange knowledge, and work together. Moderated by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), the Platform supports collaboration through online tools and frequent live webinars.
Platform members can post news, share upcoming events and webinars, store documents, create opinion polls, and participate in different types of networks, depending on the purpose and access level.
How do Thematic Networks work?
Thematic Networks are a particularly action-oriented format on the Platform:
- They are temporary networks (set up for one year), created through a call for proposals.
- They are led by a selected stakeholder organisation.
- Their key output is a collaboratively drafted Joint Statement on a health priority.
- The Platform team supports the process with open webinars and structured opportunities for members to contribute, co-draft, and endorse the Joint Statement.
For the 2025 cycle, selected Thematic Networks will begin drafting their Joint Statements from now through spring 2026, with multiple chances for Platform members to contribute.
About the “Youth Chapter Platform for NCD Prevention”
As presented on the EU Health Policy Platform, the Youth Chapter Platform for NCD Prevention will:
- Mainstream youth engagement across all levels of NCD prevention policy and practice in Europe
- Strengthen intergenerational dialogue
- Consolidate youth-driven insights to catalyse co-ownership of public health agendas
- Address topics including health inequalities, determinants of health, health literacy, and more
The network is open and inclusive: participation is welcome from youth activists to organisations and individuals who want to collaborate with youth or learn how to do so effectively.
This initiative aligns closely with JA PreventNCD’s commitment to more equitable and effective prevention, grounded not only in evidence, but also in lived experience, participation, and meaningful engagement.
JA PreventNCD on the Health Policy Platform
In addition to participating in Thematic Networks, JA PreventNCD is already active on the EU Health Policy Platform under Stakeholder Networks.
Stakeholder Networks are created in response to a direct request from stakeholders who are already approved members of the Platform’s open “Agora” network and wish to use the Platform to share knowledge and information on a specific health area.
This presence on the Platform creates a strong foundation for connecting JA PreventNCD’s wider collaboration with the upcoming Youth Chapter Thematic Network, helping ensure youth engagement is embedded across shared learning, evidence exchange, and policy dialogue.
Join the Pitch Webinar on 4 December 2025
To launch the new cycle, the EU Health Policy Platform will host a live “Pitch Webinar” where the selected 2025 Thematic Network leaders present their proposals and answer questions.
#EUHPP Live Webinar – 2025 Thematic Network Pitch webinar
Date: 4 December 2025
Time: 11:00–12:30 CET (Brussels time)
In the published agenda, the Youth Chapter Platform for NCD Prevention (led by the National Institute of Public Health Slovenia) is scheduled as the second presentation slot (11:35–12:00), followed by Q&A.
The EU HPP team notes that the webinar will be recorded, and that the content is produced by the Thematic Network leaders and does not necessarily reflect the European Commission’s position.
How to get involved
There are two easy ways to engage right away:
- Register on the EU Health Policy Platform to follow and participate in the Youth Chapter Thematic Network as it begins its work.
- Attend the 4 December Pitch Webinar to learn more, ask questions, and connect with the network leaders.
Looking ahead: connecting youth engagement across JA PreventNCD
JA PreventNCD’s presence on the EU Health Policy Platform offers a strong opportunity to amplify youth perspectives in European NCD prevention. By linking the Youth Chapter Thematic Network with ongoing exchange across the Platform, we hope to support dialogue that is practical, inclusive, and relevant for policy and practice in 2026 and beyond.
We encourage consortium members, partner organisations, youth advocates, and stakeholders interested in strengthening youth participation to join this effort and help shape actionable outcomes for NCD prevention across Europe.