Preparations are already underway for the ERS Congress 2026, the world’s largest respiratory conference, and patient voices are helping to shape the programme from the very beginning.
This year’s ERS Congress theme, “United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians and researchers,” reflects the growing role of people with lived experience in respiratory research, care and education.
More than 20 patient representatives from across Europe are part of the Congress Working Group this year, which is helping to plan patient-led activities for the event. The group is working to ensure the programme reflects real-life priorities and experiences of people living with lung conditions. Some of ELF’s other working groups are also contributing to Congress sessions. For example, our Youth Working Group will help shape a special Wednesday session on youth empowerment and advocacy.
The Congress Working Group’s activities include:
Patients and carers are also contributing to the wider Congress programme this year, from reviewing abstracts (short summaries of research projects) and identifying priority topics to helping design sessions that bring the patient community together.
In 2026, there will be increased opportunities for patients to chair and speak in Congress sessions, alongside healthcare professionals and researchers.
The popular patient-centred studio sessions will also return, focusing on important topics such as stigma, holistic care and the wider factors that influence lung health, including air quality, housing and poverty.
To help bring patient perspectives into the programme, we are looking for people with lived experience of lung conditions to share their stories. This could include:
We are particularly interested in experiences related to topics such as:
If you would like to share your experience in this way, please contact patients@europeanlung.org. Patients who are part of the programme will have their expenses covered.
Following the success of Global Voices in 2025, the campaign will soon be launched ahead of the ERS Congress 2026. It provides a platform for patients, patient organisations and advocates to share their perspectives and experiences, which will be visible at the Congress through displays and other awareness activities. The updated Global Voices 2026 campaign page will be launched next month. You can view last year’s campaign report here.
Registration and patient bursaries for ERS Congress 2026 are expected to open in mid-April.
ELF travel bursaries support patient representatives to attend Congress and take part in discussions shaping the future of respiratory health. More details on how to apply will be shared in April 2026.
