Raising the youth voice: The 2025 YOURAH Forum

On November 7-9, 15 YOURAH members joined the IDF Europe YOURAH Forum in Brussels. Each year, this get-together provides an opportunity for our Youth Leadership Lab alumni to reconnect and engage in shared advocacy efforts.   

This year, under the theme “Raising the voice of the youth diabetes community at the European level”, the event consisted of training sessions on advocacy and communication skills and a visit to the EU Parliament. During the event, participants designed an advocacy campaign targeted at European decision makers to accelerate action on diabetes which will complement IDF Europe’s policy and advocacy activities.

Fighting misconceptions: a video by YOURAH members

On World Diabetes Day, YOURAH members released a powerful video addressing common misconceptions about diabetes. The video was recorded during the IDF Europe Youth Leadership Lab in July and inspired by the earlier efforts of Diabetes Advocate, Coralie Alabert, in France.  

With a simple yet impactful format, people living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) from different European countries share real-life remarks they have encountered, showcasing how misconceptions transcend borders. 

The video highlights the shared experiences of PwD, emphasising the power of their unified voice. 

Promoting stronger connections – interviews by YOURAH members of ISLET scientists

Last month, a group of YOURAH advocates visited the Helmholtz Munich Diabetes Centre to meet and interview leading scientists working on the ISLET project, an EU-funded research project in which IDF Europe fosters the engagement of PwD and supports dissemination activities. 

ISLET seeks to generate islet cells to replace those destroyed in people living with T1D to enable insulin production again.   

On World Diabetes Day, YOURAH members launched the first video in a new series of their time at Helmholtz, where they explore the collaboration between PwD and researchers working toward breakthrough treatments. This series highlights the power of co-creation as those with lived experience and scientists join forces to design next-generation therapies.

Play a key role in strengthening the youth voice – apply to host the 2025 Youth Leadership Lab

Would you like to play a key role in uniting and strengthening the voices of young diabetes advocates across Europe? Apply to host the 2025 IDF Europe Youth Leadership Lab (YLL)! 

The Youth Leadership Camp, now Youth Leadership Lab, is an initiative aimed at nurturing a new generation of young advocates and creating a strong pan-European network. Each year, a group of around 24 advocates aged 18-30 from IDF Europe’s member associations are invited to participate in the YLL, which consists of online workshops and one in-person camp. 

In 2025, the camp will take place from July 6 to 12. 

If your member association wishes to apply to host the next camp, please fill out the form linked below before January 31, 2025. 

“Re-thinking health in the EU for improved access to quality diabetes prevention & care”

On November 12, IDF Europe organised a breakfast debate at the European Parliament (EP) hosted by MEP Peter Agius to explore the tranformative actions required at national and EU levels to drive equitable access to effective diabetes management and prevention.

The event opened with a video featuring testimonials from PwD on care barriers and successes across Europe. 

Speakers representing PwD, policy-makers, public health experts and HCPs addressed key topics including inequalities in access to care, the role of primary care settings, integrated and community-based care models, the involvement of PwD in policy-making processes, the need for cross-sector collaboration and the role of innovation to improve diabetes care.

“Re-thinking health
in the EU for
a sustainable future

On World Diabetes Day, IDF Europe organised an event at the EP hosted by MEP András Kulja and supported by VP Christel Schaldemose. President Roberta Metsola joined the event and delivered an inspiring keynote address calling for stronger political will to turn the tide on diabetes. 

Diabetes advocates, Anamarija Runtić and Erik Werson, shared their personal experiences of living with diabetes and stressed the need for more integrated and personalised care, and better access to self-management technologies and education. Two panel discussions brought together policymakers, HCPs and patient organisations to address overcoming fragmentation in health systems, ensuring access to person-centred care and leveraging the EU's role in transforming health systems and advancing research and innovation.

IDF Europe awards 
its first Advocate Prize

Since 2012, IDF Europe has recognised excellence, innovation and commitment to the diabetes community through specific prizes and awards.

On World Diabetes Day 2024, during the event at the EP, IDF Europe awarded its first Advocate Prize to T1D Advocate, Lea Leleta. The award celebrates her outstanding and innovative advocacy work for the diabetes community. 

We wish to thank Eli Lilly and Company for supporting this initiative. 

Blood glucose testing events 
in Brussels

Each year, during Diabetes Awareness Month, IDF Europe organises blood glucose testing events at several EU institutions buildings to raise awareness of diabetes, its risk factors and the importance of early detection to prevent the development of life-altering complications. This year, we held eight blood glucose testing events and tested on average 150-200 people each day.

These sessions were again a great success, enabling informative conversations around diabetes. 

#dedoc° World Diabetes Day virtual community event

Each year, on World Diabetes Day, IDF Europe participates in the virtual community event organised by #dedoc° to celebrate the diabetes community. 

This year, IDF Europe Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont, joined the event and shared insights on IDF Europe’s advocacy work and the organisation’s mission to improve quality of life for PwD and those at risk. 

Highlighting the importance of addressing wellbeing throughout the life course, she emphasised the critical need to remove barriers preventing access to psychological support across Europe.  

In her conclusion, she called for stronger collaboration within the diabetes community to leverage the growing momentum at European level to accelerate action on diabetes. 

Bridging the gap in diabetes care: Juan Antonio’s story

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, IDF Europe published an editorial in Parliament Magazine titled “Bridging the gap in diabetes care: Juan Antonio’s story”. 

The article tells the story of Juan Antonio, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) at 40, following his father’s own diagnosis and highlighting the importance of early detection. His experience illustrates the genetic and environmental factors contributing to diabetes, as well as the unmet needs in diabetes care. Juan Antonio’s young son, Martín, lives with T1D, underscoring the psychological and practical challenges families face.  

Their story underlines the importance of access to personalised care, early diagnosis and supportive environments to improve quality of life for PwD and their families. 

IDF Europe-WHO Europe Declaration – one year on, progress and learnings

On November 28, IDF Europe and WHO Europe organised a webinar to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their joint Declaration and review the progress achieved and the lessons learned over the past year as well as to explore future opportunities for impactful action.

The webinar brought together a range of stakeholders, including PwD, policymakers, national diabetes associations and HCPs reporting on case studies from various European countries and describing impactful actions that can help accelerate progress to achieve the WHO Global Diabetes Targets.  

Call for nominations to the
IDF Europe Board
2025-2027

IDF Europe is seeking the nomination of members for its Regional Board 2025-2027. The elections will be held at the IDF Europe Regional Council in Bangkok, on April 6, 2025. We seek inspiring and motivated candidates to improve health outcomes and quality of life for PwD in Europe and to elevate diabetes on the political agenda.

Nominations are required for the President Elect (one position), Regional Board Directors (seven positions), Treasurer (one position), Youth Representative (one position) and Members of the Nominating Committee (two positions). 

WHO Global Diabetes Compact Forum seventh meeting

On November 6, IDF Europe participated in the seventh meeting of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact Forum. The forum convened NGO representatives, people with lived experience and diabetes advocates to promote collective advocacy and collaboration in the diabetes field. 

Discussions covered WHO’s work on oral health, the T1Index initiative and Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE). TPE, a person-centred approach supporting self-management for people living with chronic conditions, emphasises active listening and mutual trust, recognising patients as equal partners in care. 

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with WHO and all Forum members. 

Learn more about the forum

WHO Europe reports on CVD and diabetes screening

On November 18, WHO Europe organised a webinar to launch three evidence synthesis reports examining the effects of population-level screening for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. 

During the webinar, stakeholders from WHO and the report authors discussed the evidence surrounding the effects of population-level screening in the context of global targets relating to NCDs, country practices across the WHO European Region and the key question, “How can countries enhance detection of these diseases and simultaneously improve health outcomes?” 

Report 78: Screening for CVD

Report 79: Screening for T2D

Report 80: Prevention of T2D and its complications 

WHO Europe feature stories: Erik Werson – "The best treatment is motivating people"

WHO Europe recently published an interview with T2D Advocate, Erik Werson. In the interview, he explains how people living with T2D often feel left alone with little support from their HCPs on how to best integrate diabetes into their life. To Erik, empathy and person-centred care are key: “Every person with T2D is different: different in job, culture, background, work, and social environment. I’m not a statistic. [...] The best treatment is motivating people, starting with how they are living and how they can change their lifestyle.” 

WHO Europe feature stories: Alexandra Costa – managing diabetes is more than treatment

Another interview shared by WHO Europe on World Diabetes Day features the story of T1D Advocate, Alexandra Costa. Alexandra shares the key role that peer support and a community of other PwD played in her life. Together with regular physical activity and the availability of self-management technologies, she can have good control of her diabetes and integrate her condition into her daily life. 

“I have a chronic disease, but I do not feel sick because I am very well treated.” 

ASSESS-DHT 
consortium meeting

IDF Europe is part of the Horizon 2020 ASSESS-DHT project, which aims to boost the adoption of trustworthy and effective Digital Health Technologies (DHT) across Europe. 

On November 6-7, IDF Europe Director, Strategy & Policy, Sabine Dupont, joined consortium partners in Sevilla, Spain, to review progress on developing and harmonising DHT assessment methodologies. 

Discussions included how to classify DHTs, how to ensure they are assessed based on their full lifecycle, considerations for clinical effectiveness, technical components and safety, and the need for a common repository of evidence on DHT assessments in Europe. 

PRIME at the Brain Innovation Days 2024

The Horizon 2020 PRIME study, in which IDF Europe participates, aims to understand the multimorbidity of insulin signaling and brain disorders and how these might overlap with somatic conditions.

On November 13-14, IDF Europe Communications & Project Coordinator, Jessica Nastos, and representatives from fellow patient organisations involved in the PRIME study, ADHD-Europe and Alzheimer Europe, participated in the Brain Innovation Days in Brussels. During the event, they joined a panel discussion on bridging brain and somatic health disorders, where they outlined the perspective of people with lived experience on the need to integrate brain and body care. 

EIT Health new project: SmartDiabetes

IDF Europe recently joined the EIT Health project, SmartDiabetes, which aims to establish a comprehensive, value-based model for diabetes management, integrating digital therapy, data-driven tools and sustainable procurement practice to improve PwD's health and reduce systemic costs. 

As a key partner in SmartDiabetes, IDF Europe will represent the perspective of PwD and support communication and dissemination activities, sharing the project’s progress and results with the broader community. 

La Trobe University Research Impact Report: DigiCare4You

IDF Europe is part of the Horizon 2020 project, DigiCare4You, which aims to improve the early prevention and management of hypertension (HTN) and T2D.

DigiCare4You has recently been recognised by La Trobe University in their Research Impact Report as one of the most impactful projects of 2023 because of its clearly defined pathway to impact; the scale of its reach; the potential significance of its impact for people living with T2D, HTN and their carers; and the expectation of its long-term impact. 

MMD welcomes on board a new member – MEP Merja Kyllönen

MEP Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL, Finland), a strong advocate for social justice, joined the MMD Group in November.

As part of her new European Parliament mandate Merja Kyllönen has made tackling diabetes a central political priority. Her commitment and extensive political experience will play a key role in driving ambitious policy actions aimed at improving the quality of life and health outcomes for people living with diabetes and other chronic conditions. 

We wish to thank the Finnish Diabetes Association for showcasing the work of the MMD Group at the Finnish Parliament on November 13 and introducing MEP Kyllönen to the Group.  

MMD welcomes on board a new member – MEP Peter Agius

MEP Peter Agius (EPP, Malta), a passionate diabetes advocate, also joined the MMD group in November.

MEP Agius, elected in June 2024, previously championed national campaigns to improve diabetes prevention and management. As host of IDF Europe’s breakfast debate at the EP on November 12, he emphasised the urgent need for equitable access to self-management technologies and greater investment in diabetes prevention and care to reduce the burden of the condition.

Recognising diabetes as a key marker of health systems resilience, MEP Agius is committed to strengthening efforts in the new EP mandate to improve the lives of PwD.