ELF joined partners from across Europe at the International Respiratory Coalition (IRC) National Coalitions Workshop in Brussels on 5–6 May 2026.
The workshop brought together representatives from 21 national respiratory coalitions, including healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and patient advocates. They met to discuss how countries can strengthen lung health strategies and improve outcomes for people living with lung conditions.
A key theme throughout the event was the importance of patient involvement in shaping lung health policy and advocacy. Patient representatives contributed directly to discussions on national respiratory plans and the role of coalitions in influencing policy at national and European level.
One of the workshop highlights was a session on how national coalitions can use global and European initiatives to strengthen respiratory policy in their own countries. The discussion also linked to the IRC Blueprint, a practical tool designed to help coalitions translate the IRC Manifesto into national action across the full respiratory care pathway.
The session was co-chaired by European Respiratory Society (ERS) President, Joanna Chorostowska, and Jean-Michel Fourrier, President of Association Fibroses Pulmonaires France (AFPF) and member of the ELF Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Advisory Group (PAG).
Former ELF Chair, Kjeld Hansen, presented the WHO Lung Health Resolution and how international policy commitments can support national advocacy efforts and Ildiko Horvath also joined the session to share more about EU-funded project JARED, an initiative focused on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). She highlighted its role in reaching underserved populations and communities facing barriers to respiratory care.
A strong message from the discussions was that lung health policy must work for everyone, from prevention through to long-term care, including communities that continue to face inequalities in access to diagnosis and treatment.
Reflecting on the workshop on LinkedIn, Jean-Michel said:
“It was amazing for us to connect and share status and experience with the other. There was such a powerful energy in the air. I was also really happy to talk on behalf of European patients alongside the European Lung Foundation team and those affected by rare diseases, including, of course, pulmonary fibrosis.”
The workshop took place during World Asthma Day and included a special evening session on improving asthma care and policy across Europe.
The event included contributions from José Luis Castro, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, and MEP Tomislav Sokol from the MEP Lung Health Group, of which ERS and ELF are secretariat, alongside discussions on asthma policy, prevention and access to care.
The evening highlighted the importance of collaboration between patient organisations, healthcare professionals and policymakers to improve lung health outcomes and ensure that people living with lung conditions are heard in policy discussions.
Learn more about this event here: https://international-respiratory-coalition.org/articles/key-moments-from-the-202-irc-annual-workshop-2026/
The IRC workshop highlighted the growing momentum behind national respiratory coalitions and the importance of collaboration between patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers.
ELF looks forward to continuing to work with partners across Europe to ensure patient voices remain central to lung health policy and advocacy efforts.
