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http://ec.europa.eu/eahc/health/tenders_H01_2010.html

This call for tender invites a study on mental health status and mental health systems in Member States which aims at continuing to support the implementation of the European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being and the process of developing policy conclusions and recommendations from the outcomes of the five thematic conferences that are held in connection with the Pact implementation. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 4 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

The objective of the contract is to provide a report on the 27 Member States, and — if data is obtainable, also candidate and EFTA/EEA countries — that will consist of country profiles for each country included in the study plus an overall profile at the EU-level. These profiles should address the following themes:

http://ec.europa.eu/eahc/health/tenders_H04_2010.html

The work to be prepared under this call for tender is to contribute to the implementation of the EU framework for action on health inequalities set out in the Commission Communication "Solidarity in health: Reducing health inequalities in the EU", COM (2009)567.

The main objective of this call for tender is to produce a comprehensive report on health inequalities and the actions being taken to combat them in the European Union.

The European Commission regards the extent of the health inequalities between people living in different partsof the European Union and between socially advantaged and disadvantaged EU citizens as a challenge to theEU's commitments to solidarity, social and economic cohesion, human rights and equality of opportunity.

The actions described in the communication lay the framework for sustained action in this area. One of the actions is to produce a first progress report on the situation in 2012.

The main objective of this call for tender is to produce a comprehensive report on health inequalities and the actions being taken to combat them in the European Union.

The 3 specific objectives of the work are:

1. to document and review the health inequalities situation in the EU including recent trends;

2. to document and review the policy response to health inequalities at EU, national and where relevant sub-national levels; and

3. to provide an analysis and commentary including implications and suggestions for possible future actions.

http://ec.europa.eu/eahc/health/tenders_H06_2010.html

The purpose of this tender is to identify and collect information about how health considerations were taken into account in the designing and development of non health SF investments in the period 2007-2013 and to develop tools which will enable it to support in a practical way better integration of health considerations in regional development and subsequently, SF planning and implementation. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 5 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

The results will be used in the preparation of the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and to support Member States and regions in the period of the programming of their priorities for investment.

The main goal of the EU cohesion policy 2007–2013 is to reduce social and economic disparities between the regions in the EU and to support the achievement of the Lisbon objectives for growth and jobs. Health has been included for a first time as a priority for investment by the Structural Funds (SF), European Regional Development Fund and European Social Funds, in the cohesion policy 2007–2013.

The purpose of this tender is to identify and collect information about how health considerations were taken into account in the designing and development of non-health SF investments in the period 2007–2013 and to develop tools which will enable it to support in a practical way better integration of health considerations in regional development and subsequently, SF planning and implementation. This should include appropriate indicators for 'ex ante' and 'ex post' evaluation of other sectors.

Such tools should be piloted across convergence, phasing-out, phasing-in and competitiveness and employment regions with a view to assessing the capacity and capability of regions to use the tool(s) and evidence in the context of integrated regional planning, SF operational programmes and related performance measurement.

The aim is to support the use of the learning from the work under this tender to inform the review and development of relevant regional policies/strategies and monitor the progress of current and future SF programmes and funded projects.

This programme should be structured in such a way as to ensure further dissemination of the deliverables of the tender to the target groups after the end of the tender, inter alia by the production of the related training structure and material template for future workshops, as well as an appropriate communications plan.

Additionally, the tender should also proceed to identify good practices in the way health-related and non-health-related investments are linked together within the framework of a global strategy or regional master plan for ensuring growth and cohesion at the regional level.

http://ec.europa.eu/eahc/health/tenders_H09_2010.html

The European Commission has published a call for proposals on actions that support the implementation of lifelong learning strategies and policies and raise the awareness of European co-operation in education and training.

Deadline for applications is 16 July 2010.

Beneficiaries can be national or regional ministries in charge of education and training, other public bodies and stakeholders' organisations active in the field of lifelong learning (pre-primary, schools, VET, higher education and adult learning). This call is open to the countries participating in the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme (EU-27, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 6 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

It consists of two parts supporting:

1. national activities for the development and implementation of lifelong learning strategies and policies (e.g. awareness-raising activities, establishment of fora, etc);

2. transnational cooperation and exchange of good practices on the development and implementation of lifelong learning (e.g. through the creation of transnational networks)

To make lifelong learning a reality - "from cradle to grave" - and to consider all forms of learning (formal, non-formal, informal) - is a core objective of the EU and was set out in its strategic framework for European co-operation in education and training ("ET2020").

EU countries have committed themselves to putting in place coherent and comprehensive lifelong learning strategies, but implementing them remains a challenge. Efforts need to be stepped up at the national, regional and local levels in order to show real impact of lifelong learning policies for individual learners.

The call is managed by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. The deadline for applications is 16 July 2010. For more details see http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/funding/2010/call_ecet_2010_en.php

To ensure that the SCENIHR formulates its views on the basis of the most complete and relevant scientific information, the Commission publishes today a call for scientific information that will run until 3 June 2010.

Details of the call for information can be found here:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consultations/calls/scenihr_call_info_09_en.htm The European Commission uses expert advice on risk assessment from three non-food Scientific Committees when preparing policies and proposals. These committees are made up of external, independent scientists and provide authoritative scientific advice in the fields of consumer safety, public health and the environment.

The three non-food Scientific Committees are - the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR).

http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/committees_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/popularizing/popularizing_results_en.htm ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 7 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

http://www.health-inequalities.eu/

This Portal is a tool to promote health equity amongst different socio-economic groups in the European Union. It provides information on policies and interventions to promote health equity within and between the countries of Europe, via the socio-economic determinants of health.

http://www.activecitizenship.net/content/blogcategory/68/159/

http://www.sante-sports.gouv.fr/concours-sur-les-droits-des-usagers-du-systeme-de-sante.html

http://www.mhe-sme.org/en/our-projects/current-projects/value-plus.html

Residents in health and social care institutions for people with mental health problems have a poor physical health status, resulting in reduced life expectancy.

The basic principle of VALUE+ is that patients' meaningful involvement enhances health project results, which can contribute more effectively to policy towards patient-centred, equitable healthcare throughout the EU.

Current EU health policy reflects this premise, but a concerted strategy is needed to achieve patient involvement in reality.

To exchange information, experiences and good practices among key stakeholders in relation to the meaningful involvement of patients' organisations in EU supported health projects at EU and national levels.

Research

In order to assess the current practice and trends regarding patient involvement in EU health projects Value+ will:

1. Research and analyse health projects implemented in the period 1998-2008 that were funded by various European Commission DGs and identify projects including patients' organisations and/or patients as partners. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 8 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

2. Make telephone and direct interviews with different stakeholders involved in the projects identified - projects coordinators, managers, patients and/or patients' representatives, EC officers - to explore opportunities and barriers in involving patients' organisations as pro-active partners.

3. Do a literature review on patient involvement.

4. Carry a survey with EPF (European Patients' Forum) members to identify examples of patients' involvement.

5. Hold focus groups with patients from various chronic diseases groups and who have an experience in EU supported projects.

6. Identify 6-8 'show case examples' of patient involvement.

Testing

To demonstrate how involvement of patients can be achieved in practice Value+ will accompany and support selected EU health projects running concurrently and which aspire to pro-active patients' involvement: up to five ongoing projects supported by the Public Health Programme, three projects funded under the Seventh Programme for Research (FP7) and up to two projects supported by the Structural Funds, will be identified. The modalities for cooperation and type of support will be jointly decided with the organisations coordinating those projects based on their needs.

Events

Value+ will hold two events aiming at disseminating the findings and tools of the project; foster exchange of experience and best practices and strengthening political commitment on patient involvement.

These events will strategically take place in two new Member States because there is recognition that patients' involvement in health projects and policy particularly in new EU MS is still very much in its infancy.

Sharing experience and knowledge about European (new MS as compared to old MS) traditions of patient participation and partnership of stakeholders of health sector can motivate and be an agent for change and improvement.

The meetings will attract national and local policy-makers and civil society organisations, thus contributing to the process of patient involvement in those MS.

A high profile Conference will be organised in 2009 under the auspices of the Swedish Presidency in 2009. It will provide the opportunity to share the first results of the project and the deliverables in draft form and review them so that direction will be given for refinement and improvement. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 9 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

It will also be a crucial platform for re-affirming and activating the current political commitment on the involvement of patients; the target audience will be wide-ranging and will include representatives of the Swedish Presidency, European Commission and Governmental officials, Members of the European Parliament and Council Representatives, key health stakeholders, research organisations, think tanks and policy units in Brussels, project leaders from "show case examples", patient organisations' representatives and the project partners themselves.

Tools

VALUE+ Database will contain the results of the research on EU funded health projects and the organisations that implemented them.

VALUE+ Resource Kit for patient organisations will provide patient organisations with information on how they can be involved as equal partners, on principles around consultation and how to use and disseminate projects outcomes in the most efficient way.

It will be disseminated to EPF membership and their member associations in all of the Member States and it will also be sent to other patients groups allies in Brussels and internationally. The Resource Kit will be written in English and translated into German, French, Spanish, Lithuanian and Bulgarian.

VALUE + Handbook for project leaders and project proposers will provide specific information for project leaders on how to involve patients' organisations and where to find the most suitable partners. It will be disseminated to EPF members and allies and copies will also be disseminated during PHEA organised and national "Information Days" related to the call for proposal 2010. The Handbook will also be disseminated to current project leaders, research and policy networks that will be included on the project database.

VALUE+ Policy Recommendations on effective strategies to involve patients' organisations in EU supported programmes and projects will be developed as a result of the evidence-base assessment. The recommendations will be targeted towards the European Institutions and governments during the Swedish Presidency Conference and will be disseminated through a series of one to one high level meetings set up by health attaches, and major health conferences and events (European Health Policy Forum, Health Forum Gastein).

Outcomes

The project is expected to achieve a comprehensive overview and analysis of current practice and trends regarding patient involvement in EU health related projects.

The project will develop tools meant to help different stakeholders to work towards increasing meaningful patient involvement.

Lead organisation

European Patients’ Forum http://www.eu-patient.eu/

Contact person Mari Fresu, MHE Health Policy Officer mari.fresu@mhe-sme.org ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 10 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

This means that disabled people continue to be segregated from society and puts them at risk of serious human rights abuses.

ECCL's report points out that such use of EU funding (known as the Structural Funds) continues despite EU and Member States' policies that emphasise the need to protect the rights of disabled people and promote their social inclusion. Numerous reports over the last decade have brought to light the horrific reality of institutional care for many disabled adults and children in Central and Eastern Europe. They have shown the appalling living conditions; use of physical restraints, physical and sexual abuse of some residents by other residents and sometimes staff; inadequate clothing; involuntary placements subject to no independent review; the lack of privacy and the absence of rehabilitative or therapeutic activities.

The report, ‘Wasted Time, Wasted Money, Wasted Lives ... A Wasted Opportunity?’, argues that the practice of using Structural Funds to maintain the system of institutional care is contrary to EU policy objectives, EU law and European and international human rights standards.

Camilla Parker, the main author of the report, commented: ‘The continued institutionalisation of disabled people is not acceptable in the Europe of the 21st Century. Residents are often subjected to severe human rights violations and generally their quality of life is very poor. Investing in such long term residential institutions is therefore not a good use of public funds. Structural Funds should not be used to maintain this archaic system of institutional care.’

ECCL's report notes that Structural Funds have the potential to provide the resources and expertise to help Governments shift from the current system of institutional care to providing support to disabled people to live in their own homes and participate in community life. The report comments that failure to use Structural Funds to develop community-based alternatives to institutional care will be a wasted opportunity and an inefficient use of substantial amounts of money. Of more fundamental importance, those most in need for these changes to take place - the disabled adults and children placed in residential institutions - will be the ones to suffer. They will continue to be segregated, excluded from society; denied the opportunity to live their life as other citizens do.

In the report, ECCL outlines a number of recommendations addressed to Member States and the European Commission. These include the urgent review of the current use of Structural Funds in relation to services for disabled people, in particular the need to end investments in residential institutions. In addition, EU funded projects in this area must make explicit how they will support the implementation of EU social inclusion policies, the national strategies for social inclusion of people with disabilities and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Report and the Executive Summary can be downloaded from the ECCL website www.community-living.info. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 21, 2010 2010-02 EFPA’s Newssheet EU - Page 11 of 11 European Federation of Psychologists Associations EFPA – www.efpa.eu

The ESCOP Early Career Stimulus is a grant of €000 aimed at supporting European graduate students.

Multiple such grants will be awarded each year to support the following career development activities:

- specific research projects (e.g., completing an experiment)

- active participation to conferences or workshops

- short-term visits to another lab in a different country

The grants will preferentially (but not exclusively) be awarded to students from Eastern European countries. PhD students from all areas of cognitive psychology are invited to apply. Interested applicants should send a two-page presentation of their project in .pdf format.

The document should contain the following:

- a short scientific description of the project

- an itemized budget indicating clearly how the money will be spent

- a support letter by an ESCOP full member

- the applicant's CV

Materials should be sent to the ESCoP secretary:

Dr. Michal Wierzchon (michal.wierzchon@uj.edu,pl).

A jury of three members nominated by the ESCOP Committee will examine the proposals within two months of the deadline.

President
 
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