30 years of advocating for patients living with allergy and airways diseases
In November 1991, patient associations from 8 European countries (Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the UK) came together in Stockholm with the goal to create a federation advocating for the needs of allergy and asthma patients across Europe. They founded the European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Associations (EFA).
For 30 years EFA has united allergy and asthma patients under the same voice. Nowadays, our federation represents 48 member organisations across 28 countries in Europe. Part of this exponential growth is linked to EFA’s disease areas as, in 2003, EFA also started covering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as many of its members at the time. As a consequence, EFA also changed its name into the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations.
Governance
The highest governing body of EFA is its General Assembly, composed of Members, who elect EFA Board and validate plans and reports. The EFA Board steers these plans and reports on behalf of the membership, supported by the EFA Secretariat who facilitates and organises EFA activities.
All EFA governance documents are made public. EFA publishes an annual Activity Report, including financial information. EFA has a Code of Ethics and Conduct, as well as internal rules for its functioning and founding statutes. EFA is registered as an NGO in Sweden (no. 802402-4526) and employer in Belgium (BE0851183611).
EFA Mission and Vision
The European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) is an independent non-profit organisation with its central office located in Brussels, Belgium. EFA connects 48 allergy, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients’ associations in 28 countries.
Join EFA
At EFA, we advocate change for better and healthier lives for all people with allergy and respiratory diseases in Europe, and EFA Secretariat plays a key role in making it happen. Join our team and be part of the mission to make a difference for prevention and care in Europe.
EFA is looking for a Project Manager!
EFA (European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations) is seeking a dynamic and team-oriented Prevention and Healthcare Project Manager to lead diverse pan-European projects that advocate for better care, prevention, and patient involvement in research for people living with allergy, asthma and COPD. With a focus on coordinating European Commission-funded projects, your role will include project design, implementation, and reporting, as well as ensuring effective collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders. The full job description is available here. Apply by May 12th by sending your CV and cover letter to
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EFA Members
Patient and patients representatives’ direct feedback is crucial to help stimulate policy discussions and inspire new approaches to resolve most of the problems confronting them on a daily basis.
At present, EFA gathers 48 national patient associations representing 28 European countries and over allergy, asthma and COPD patients living in Europe.