Young people are being invited to shape tomorrow’s healthcare

European Patients Forum announces 2026 training for young patient advocates to build skills and shape healthcare.

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) has announced the 2026 edition of it’s flagship Skills Training for Young Patient Advocates (STYPA), marking a significant milestone as the programme celebrates its 10th anniversary.
This year’s theme, ‘Health Literacy: Empowering young patients to shape tomorrow’s healthcare’, reflects a growing focus on equipping young people with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate complex health systems. The topic was selected in close collaboration with the EPF Youth Group, building on ideas and priorities identified by participants in last year’s programme.

To mark the anniversary, STYPA 2026 will place an even stronger emphasis on participant involvement, giving young advocates a more active role in shaping discussions and learning activities throughout the training.

What is STYPA?
STYPA is a tailored training programme designed for young patients and representatives aged 18–30 across Europe. It aims to strengthen advocacy skills, build leadership capacity, and deepen understanding of key healthcare issues affecting patients.

The 2026 programme will focus on:

• Enhancing understanding of health literacy and its role in patient empowerment and equitable care
• Developing skills to identify misinformation and communicate reliable health information
• Building practical advocacy, communication, and policy engagement skills
• Promoting accessible, inclusive, and patient-centred health information
• Encouraging participation in national and European health policy discussions
• Through these objectives, STYPA aims to empower a new generation of patient leaders to contribute to more transparent, inclusive, and patient-centred healthcare systems.

Programme timeline:

• Introduction webinar: June 2026
• In-person training: 10–12 July 2026 in Brussels, Belgium
• Follow-up workshops and closing event: September–October 2026
• All travel and accommodation costs for selected participants will be covered by EPF.

Who can apply?
STYPA 2026 will bring together 25–30 participants aged 18–30 from across Europe, particularly EU Member States and Western Balkan countries with EU candidate or potential candidate status.

The programme is open to:

• Patients living with a chronic or lifelong condition who are affiliated with a patient organisation
• Patients living with a chronic or lifelong condition who are not affiliated with a patient organisation
• Employees or volunteers of patient organisations
• The programme can sponsor one family member or carer per participant if needed.

Participants should ideally:

• Have a strong level of English (C1 minimum)
• Be passionate about patient rights and advocacy
• Have a basic understanding of health policy or patient involvement
• Be interested in learning new advocacy and communication skills
• Be willing to share their knowledge within their communities and are willing to be part of a large patients’ rights movement
• Be available for the entire duration of the training
• Have valid travel documents.

EPF aims to ensure a diverse cohort, with balanced representation across nationality, age, gender, health condition, and socio-economic background.

How to apply?

You can apply by completing the STYPA 2026 application form and submitting it before 26th April. If you have any additional questions or issues with your application, please contact the EPF team at:
stypa@eu-patient.eu

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