The recent ERS Congress, held in Amsterdam (27 September–1 October), showcased EU-funded projects involving the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and Lungs Europe. The event provided a platform for projects to share updates, highlight achievements and inform delegates about their objectives and impact.
Content Table
Joint Action on chronic REspiratory Diseases
The JARED consortium held a hybrid meeting to exchange updates, highlight achievements, and plan the next phase. The project aims to strengthen the EU’s efforts to reduce chronic lung diseases through innovative solutions, early detection, and patient self-management.
During the “Primary Prevention for Healthy Lungs” session, Prof. Ildikó Horváth (National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology), Scientific Coordinator of JARED, presented the project to a wider audience, emphasising its role in prevention and improving quality of life for patients.
On 30 September, the LungHealth4Life (LH4L) consortium and partners discussed the project’s progress. LH4L introduces lung health checks and health risk education in schools to promote disease prevention. Entering its second year, the project will focus on implementing lung function testing in schools across Poland, Hungary, and Portugal, with partners sharing timelines and updates on planned activities.
(Strengthening the Screening of Lung Cancer in Europe)
SOLACE supports the implementation of high-quality lung cancer screening programmes across Europe by promoting best practices, harmonising guidelines and ensuring equitable access to early detection. Featured in multiple sessions, the project discussed pilot activities, screening recommendations and its overall impact as it approaches completion in less than a year.
The EU PAL-COPD project focuses on integrating palliative care into treatment routines for people with advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The team met on 28 September to share updates and exchange experiences. The project was also highlighted in a poster presentation “EU PAL-COPD: Integrating palliative care in treatment for advanced COPD across Europe.”
The Kyrgyzstan team from the FRESHAIR4Life project presented progress in reducing tobacco use and improving lung health among youth. The initiative aims to develop interventions addressing tobacco and air pollution exposure in disadvantaged populations and to empower young people in health advocacy.
The OPTIMA project aims to ensure that every patient with lung, prostate and breast cancer has access to the most up-to-date individualised treatments and innovative therapies. It held a meeting on 28 September and showcased its developments, including a guideline-based decision support tool and explored opportunities for broader collaboration beyond project partners.
The 3TR project, which focuses on autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic diseases including COPD and asthma, held meetings and poster sessions on 28 and 30 September to share its progress.
A Wednesday Special Session on 1 October titled “How to Maximise the Impact of Your Research Project Outcomes” highlighted strategies to translate EU-funded research into lasting societal impact. Projects featured included SOLACE, Value-Dx, DiscovAIR, LH4L, and others, with discussions on engaging ERS and ELF in new initiatives and enhancing research visibility.
