Stakeholder Forum: Patients and Citizens

The Patients and Citizens Pillar is one of three pillars of the BBMRI-ERIC Stakeholder Forum. It brings together patient organisations from across Europe to contribute the perspectives and interests of patients and citizens to the development of the research infrastructure.

The Pillar focuses on three key areas: data and digital solutions, informed consent, and patient involvement and engagement. Its members contribute to discussions and initiatives spanning biobanking, wider pan-European projects, ethics and governance.

Currently, the Pillar includes 36 patient organisations from 18 BBMRI-ERIC Member States and Observers alongside 9 EU-wide patient organisations. Having a broad membership base provides not only enriched discussions but also a good representation of patients’ diverse interests.

All BBMRI-ERIC Member States and Observers are invited to have patient organisations represented in the Stakeholder Forum. Contact our secretariat with inquiries.

FHchol Austria
Austria
RaDiOrg Rare Diseases Belgium
Belgium
Ligue Huntington Francophone Belge (Observer)
Belgium
Observer
National Patients’ Organisation
Bulgaria
Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute
Czech Republic
The Finnish Network for Rare Diseases / Harvinaiset-verkosto
Finland
BRCA-Netzwerk
Germany
Hellenic Cancer Federation – ELLOK
Greece
EPIONI – Greek Carers Network
Greece
The National Association of People with Rare and Congenital Disorders
Hungary
Bridge of Health Alliance against Breast Cancer Association
Hungary
UNIAMO – Italian Federation of Rare Diseases
Italy
Italian Association of Poland Syndrome
Italy
Latvian Alliance of Rare Diseases
Latvia
Latvian Hemophilia Society
Latvia
Melanoma Patient Network of Latvia
Latvia
POLA – Lithuanian Cancer Patient Coalition
Lithuania
Malta Health Network
Malta
VSOP – Patient Alliance for Rare and Genetic Diseases
Netherlands
Post COVID Netwerk Nederland
Netherlands
Association of Families with TTR Amyloidosis
Poland
Association for the Protection of Patients’ Rights (AOPP)
Slovakia
Patient Organisations Association of Slovenia (ZOPS)
Slovenia
Platform of Patient Organisations (POP)
Spain
Representative of Samka and PROMISE initiative
Sweden
Swedish Network Against Cancer
Sweden
EFA European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations
Europe-wide
EIWH – European Institute for Women’s Health
Europe-wide
European Brain Council (EBC)
Europe-wide
EURORDIS – Rare Diseases Europe
Europe-wide
Alzheimer Europe (Observer)
Europe-wide
Observer
Cancer Patients Europe (CPE)
Europe-wide
SATB2 Europe
Europe-wide
FH Europe Foundation
Europe-wide
Cittadinanzattiva APS & Active Citizenship Network
Europe-wide

The Patients and Citizens Pillar on the BBMRI-ERIC podcast

Listen to a two-part episode looking at the work of the Patients and Citizens Pillar. The episodes include interviews with members who explore why patient advocacy matters and a discussion with Jana Pavlič-Zupanc, Head of Public Affairs at BBMRI-ERIC, and Eric Vermeulen, Chair of the Stakeholder Forum. 

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Impact stories

Several organisations from the Patients and Citizens Pillar have contributed to our impact stories, sharing experiences and perspectives that were brought to life through multimedia . Have a look at the stories below to hear directly from them.

World Patient Safety Day impact story
World Cancer Day 2026 impact story

Contributions

Read through publications that highlight the importance of listening to patients and citizens and ensuring their voices help shape decisions in biobanking.

To hear directly from biobankers and patient representatives about patient and public involvement, including the barriers and challenges they face, watch the Stakeholder Forum webinar in the BBMRI-ERIC Academy.

A picture that reads: BBMRI-ERIC. Public and Patient Involvement an Engagement (PPIE) in Biobanking

The Stakeholder Forum – Patients and Citizens Pillar at EBW

View photos from the members of the Stakeholder Forum – Patients and Citizens Pillar at Europe Biobank Week throughout the years.

Stakeholder Forum Secretariat

The Secretariat of the Stakeholder Forum supports and coordinates the work of the Forum and connects it directly to the BBMRI-ERIC decision-making process.

Eric Vermeulen

Eric Vermeulen

Stakeholder Forum Chair

e.vermeulen6@gmail.com

Jana Pavlič-Zupanc

Jana Pavlič-Zupanc

Head of Public Affairs

jana.pavlic-zupanc@bbmri-eric.eu

Manuela Pausan

Manuela Pausan

Scientific Stakeholder Manager

manuela.pausan@bbmri-eric.eu

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