ILC Europe Network News #12

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A look back at our 2nd annual conference in Brussels

Thank you to those who joined us on 1 July 2025

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at this year's ILC Europe Network conference in Brussels. We were pleased to be joined by stakeholders from across Europe for a rich discussion on how to create a Europe that’s fit for the future. Take a look back at the findings from the conference below and read our summary report here.

Latest news

2025 EU4Health Work Programme: what does it mean for Europe's health?

The European Commission recently published its Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. As part of the proposed MFF, Europe's budget for health will see significant changes.

When taking a look at the details of the 2025 EU4Health Work Programme, it seems positive:

• 196 mentions of "prevention", 32 mentions of "healthy longevity" and 4 mentions of "healthy ageing"

• A commitment to "joint action on healthy ageing and lifelong prevention of non-communicable diseases"

• A need for "active and healthy ageing, empowering older generations"

Yet, scratching beneath the surface and taking a look at the finer details, the cuts to health are severe:

• Almost ten times less in absolute funding for prevention - down from €70.9 million in 2024 versus €7.6 million in 2025

• No commitments to funding for mental health

• No more EU health funding to pay for general operating costs, which have enabled NGOs to participate in EU policy processes

Understandably, there has been strong criticism from health organisations and NGOs in Brussels and across Europe. As Euronews reports, this budget "leaves civil society reeling from cuts".

Have your say: European affordable housing plan

The European Commission is seeking additional evidence and knowledge to help identify policy actions for the Affordable Housing Plan. The Commission is interested in the views of key stakeholders in the EU housing markets across all sectors, as well as consumers.

Network activities

Summary report - Addressing the age gap: how do we create a Europe that’s fit for the future?

Europe is undergoing a profound demographic transformation, marked by a rapidly ageing
population. That's why we came together on 1 July 2025 to discuss how to create a Europe fit for an ageing future. This summary report provides an overview of the discussions from our 2nd annual conference and the policies needed to support Europe with demographic change. Later this year, we'll be launching our "ILC Europe Network Declaration": a call to action for European policymakers on what they must do now to ensure a Europe fit for the future.

Turkey’s Old Age Crisis: Social Care Insurance is Now a Must

Prof Ismail Tufan from the National Association of Social and Applied Gerontology makes the case for social care insurance in Turkey to address the country's rapidly ageing population. With one of the youngest state pension ages in Europe, plus a relatively high life expectancy but a low workspan according to the Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index, Turkey finds itself in a challenging situation. Read Prof Tufan's think piece below.

EHMA Call to Action: Establishing a European Vaccination Coverage Target for Pneumococcal Disease in Adults

ILC-UK and other ILC Europe Network members have endorsed the European Health Management Association's (EHMA) latest Call to Action, which aims to reduce the health system burden of pneumococcal disease by improving vaccination coverage rates for adults 65 years and older. By calling on key European policymakers to establish a 75% vaccination coverage target for pneumococcal disease, EHMA and its endorsing partners seek to create a foundation for improved adult vaccination in Europe.

Upcoming events

Exclusive dinner debate: Building a healthier and wealthier future in an age of longevity 

Date: Tuesday 2 September 2025
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Location: Citizen M, Copenhagen

Alongside the FIP's 83rd World Congress in Copenhagen, ILC-UK will be hosting a dinner to present key findings from the Healthy Ageing and Prevention Index and learn from Denmark’s successes: a country which has moved up three places since 2019 to 9th on the Index. To express an interest in joining this dinner, please email Arunima Himawan by clicking the button below.

Articles

Why Danes may have hit their limit on retirement age

 The Telegraph reports on the recent decision by the Danish government to raise the state pension age in the Nordic country to 70 by 2040. Speaking to the Telegraph, ILC-UK's Chief Executive, David Sinclair, suggested that the UK's pensions are heading towards a “big fiscal challenge” that needs to be addressed, arguing: “The fact that our politicians are too scared to talk about what retirement is like, and how we might need to be supporting work longer, and how we might need to be healthier, just feels like an utter failure of our entire political classes.” 

Europeans living longer than ever

Euractiv reports on the latest life expectancy figures across Europe, which show people are now living longer than ever. Yet despite this, a persistent east-west divide remains on the continent.

Who are we?

Launched in December 2021, the ILC Europe Network aims to help societies address longevity and population ageing in positive and productive ways.

The Network is represented by academics, practitioners, civil society representatives and business leaders with a focus on helping societies address longevity through research events, sharing good practice, and engaging with policymakers across the continent.

The ILC Europe Network works under the auspices of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance.

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