ELF reflects on EU project success in 2025

At ELF, we are committed to making sure people with lung conditions can influence research and healthcare policy across Europe. We do this through participation in EU-funded projects and facilitating patient involvement, from project design to the resources we share.

SOLACE – Strengthening Lung Cancer Screening in Europe 

Brussels, Belgium, November 18, 2025, assignment for Lungs Europe at the EUP. © Fred Guerdin ©

The SOLACE project is developing a toolbox to help countries across Europe introduce lung cancer screening and address health inequalities in the process. This year, the SOLACE project has: 

• Hosted a high-level event at the European Parliament to advance EU-wide lung cancer screening implementation under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This event was attended by a variety of experts and policymakers, as well as patient advocates and screening participants. 

• Launched pilot screening programmes in 12 EU countries, focusing on underserved populations, such as women, deprived communities and high-risk individuals.  

• Developed the SOLACE Knowledge Hub, a platform for both healthcare professionals and people affected by lung cancer.   

LungHealth4Life (LH4L) 

LungHealth4Life encourages children to look after their lungs from a young age. The project promotes prevention of long-term respiratory diseases through school-based lung health checks (spirometry) and educational lessons. In 2025, the LH4L project: 

• Expanded schools-based lung health checks and education in Portugal, Poland and Hungary. 

• Featured at a Healthy Lungs For Life event at the European Parliament, discussing policies to prioritise lung health and the importance of early diagnosis.  

• Shared research linking early lung function with future COPD risk, reinforcing prevention strategies. 

EU PAL-COPD 

The EU PAL-COPD project integrates palliative and end-of-life care into standard treatment for advanced COPD. The aim is to improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones. This year, the project: 

• Progressed the ICLEAR-EU intervention, a training programme for palliative care in COPD, featuring both an e-learning and in-person sessions.  

• Integrated palliative care into COPD treatment across 18 hospitals in six countries.  

• Highlighted patient perspectives through videos shared on World COPD Awareness Day. 

FRESHAIR4Life 

FRESHAIR4Life (FA4Life) focuses on preventing exposure to air pollution and tobacco in underserved populations, with special attention to young people. In 2025, this project: 

• Entered the implementation phase in Kyrgyzstan, Greece, Pakistan, Romania and Uganda. 

• Expanded social media campaigns to reduce air pollution and tobacco exposure and promote youth advocacy.  

NEXUS 

Launched in 2025, NEXUS addresses the health impacts of non-exhaust urban air pollution (brake, tyre and road wear particles). So far, the project has: 

• Formed a global partnership to study non-exhaust emissions  

• Secured five-year funding from the UK Medical Research Council to enhance research capacity and inform policy on air quality and transport emissions 

SPARC – Support of Personalised Medicine Approaches in Cancer 

SPARC is a three-year EU4Health project advancing personalised cancer care across Europe. Key milestones include: 

• Hosting a two-day kick-off meeting in Madrid, with partners from across Europe. 

• Establishing a network of 17 organisations to work together to integrate personalised medicine into healthcare systems. 

• Initiating seven pilot studies on cancers including lung, breast, pancreatic, melanoma, and some rare cancers. 

ELF remains committed to involving patients in all stages of EU projects. To explore collaboration opportunities, visit our EU Projects page, or email info@europeanlung.org.