A Message from EFNA President, Astri Arnesen

As we approach the end of 2025, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on everything we have achieved together this year.

2025 saw EFNA strengthen its role as a unifying voice for the neurology community through the growth of our MEP Interest Group on Brain Health and Neurological Conditions, which now has the support of 23 MEPs. We held two events at the European Parliament- ‘Shaping the Future: Policy Responses to Rare Neurological Challenges‘ on February 19th and ‘Health Literacy in Action: Enhancing Patient Outcomes and Policy Impact‘ on October 16th.

Our capacity‑building programme included two in-person workshops on the topic of health literacy, as well as an online workshop on engaging in advocacy at EU level and the benefits that can bring nationally.

A highlight of the year was that EFNA’s Past President, Joke Jaarsma, was awarded the title of Lifetime Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology (FEAN). This tremendous honour is even more meaningful for Joke and our community as she is the first patient representative to receive this distinction.

EFNA’s team and Community Advisory Board participated in a vast number of events, including the EAN Congress, Brain Innovation Days, Health Forum Gastein, meetings of Non-State Actors within WHO Europe and many events organised by our member associations.
It has been a period marked by meaningful collaboration, renewed momentum, and a shared determination to improve the lives of people living with neurological disorders across Europe.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our members, the commitment of our partners, and the trust placed in us by the wider community. Your engagement, expertise, and passion are what make EFNA’s work not only possible, but powerful.

2026 will mark 25 years since EFNA’s foundation, meaning that for almost quarter of a century, EFNA has been championing the rights and needs of people living with neurological disorders across Europe.

To mark this milestone, I am proud to announce that the inaugural EFNA Conference will be held in Dublin in September 2026, coinciding with Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This landmark event will serve as a platform to bring together neurology patients, patient organisations, policymakers, clinicians, researchers and industry representatives to co-create a more inclusive and impactful neurology landscape in Europe. Registration for the conference will open in March, 2026. For now, please save the date!

Another exciting development in 2026 will be the launch of our Neurolytics platform, which has recently received a charitable donation from Boston Scientific Foundation Europe.

We will continue building on the foundations laid this year, with new opportunities for collaboration, advocacy at the European level, and initiatives that further elevate the voices of those we represent. Together, we will keep driving change—step by step, conversation by conversation—towards a future where neurological health is recognised as a priority for all.

Wishing you a peaceful festive season and a bright start to 2026!

Warm regards,

Astri Arnesen
EFNA President