Eurocare announces closure of its Brussels office amid funding difficulties
The Board of Eurocare have announced that due to constraints on its funding it will no longer be able to maintain an office in Brussels and will be letting go its paid staff members from the end of the year. However, the organisation will maintain its network of over 50 members to ensure co-ordination on alcohol policy across Europe.
Eurocare is an alliance of non-governmental and public health organisations with member organisations across European countries, advocating for measures to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm in Europe.
Speaking about the decision, Chair of the Eurocare Board, Dr Peter Rice said:
This is a very difficult time for Eurocare which has been to the forefront of alcohol policy and advocacy at EU level, for over two decades making the public health case to address alcohol harm. Eurocare has been funded by a combination of membership fees and EU grants. While its membership numbers are at an all-time high, unfortunately the scope for accessing EU funding has dramatically reduced. The Board has taken the painful decision to close its Brussels office.
Eurocare will fulfil its obligations with a number of important activities taking place in November including a high-level conference Rethinking Prevention: A Dialogue with Youth which will take place on 4th of November 2025, at the European Parliament (Brussels). Eurocare is also contributing to a two-day event, 3-4 November Prevention over Profit: Breaking the Silos to Put Health First. This event is the culmination of an EU funded project, FILTERED, which brings together leading civil society organisations to examine the impact of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and drinks on public health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the policies needed to address these risk factors. FILTERED has worked closely with the JA Prevent NCD and other EU funded projects to complement and amplify each other’s work, with this collaboration showcased at the Final Synergy Conference on 5 November in Brussels.
The Board of Eurocare have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the exceptional work of the Eurocare team under the outstanding leadership of the Secretary General, Florence Berteletti, who have worked tirelessly and innovatively to raise awareness of alcohol issues among EU decision makers and in particular to bring together these significant events.
From Jan 2026, Eurocare will continue to act as a network of members, sharing information on national and international developments in alcohol policy.
Europe is the highest drinking region in the world with devastating harms resulting, including almost 800,000 deaths in Europe from alcohol annually, large impacts on health, social care and justice systems, loss of workplace productivity and almost incalculable damage to children impacted by alcohol harm in the home. More than ever there is a need for strong advocacy against the power of the alcohol industry which makes extraordinary profits leaving individuals, families and governments to pick up the tab caused by their product.’
Secretary General, Florence Berteletti said:
‘It is deeply difficult to see Eurocare’s Brussels office close at a time when lobbyists defending public health values are needed more than ever. For over twenty years, the Eurocare Brussel’s office has been a vital bridge between national members, young people, communities and the EU institutions, ensuring that alcohol harm and prevention stayed on the EU agenda. Most people do not realise how much the European Union shapes national health policies; but the alcohol and other health-harming industries do, which is why 30,000 lobbyists walk the EU corridors every day defending the interests of their employers. Eurocare has been one of the few professional voices standing up for public health in that same space. I am proud of what we have achieved together and confident that our network will continue its mission and that it will soon find new eyes, ears and a strong voice to keep public health heard loud and clear within the EU bubble, which needs evidence-based public health input more than ever.’
Dr Rice added:
‘It is important that the EU and national governments find mechanisms to ensure the voices of civil society are heard at the policy making table, otherwise the regulation of health harming industries like alcohol will be set solely by the profit motivation to the detriment not only of health but also the economy. ’
Ends
Media contact:
Dr Peter Rice: Tel +44 7740 937732 Email