On 20 January 2026 in Brussels, EFFE took part in the first meeting of the year of the European Care Alliance, which brings together more than twenty civil society and social economy organisations committed to supporting persons with disabilities, people in need of care, their families, and professionals across the care sector. Established in 2024, the Alliance works to support the implementation of the European Care Strategy and to strengthen care systems throughout the European Union.
This meeting provided an opportunity to define shared priorities for 2026, building on the work carried out over the past two years. Together, Alliance members notably called for:
• the creation of a European platform to accelerate the implementation of the European Care Strategy and the Recommendation on access to affordable, high-quality long-term care;
• ambitious, well-funded measures with clear objectives to develop more accessible and effective care systems;
• the full rollout of a monitoring and evaluation framework combining qualitative and quantitative indicators to support strong national action plans;
• structural investments in care services as part of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034);
• the establishment of a European Year of Care and Support.
Launched by the European Commission in 2022, the European Care Strategy aims to ensure high-quality, affordable, and accessible services throughout people’s lives, while improving the conditions of carers and professionals — the majority of whom are women.
For EFFE, participating in the work of this Alliance is an important milestone. We are delighted to unite our voice with fellow members to defend home care, represent household employers, promote the key issues facing our sector, and contribute to more inclusive European policies. This cooperation also offers a valuable opportunity to build synergies with other care stakeholders and to learn from one another through the exchange of good practices.
Together, we share a common ambition: to build stronger, more sustainable, and more human-centred care systems across Europe.
October 2025: European Care Alliance calls for decisive investments in care services