The Second Programme of Community Action in the field of Health (2008-2013) has a total budget of €321.5 million. The budget covers to a great extent the funding of projects and other activities, such as conferences, joint actions, operating grants awarded tenders and functioning of international organizations, assisting in strengthening the solidarity and prosperity in the European Union. The budget covers also the protection and promotion of health and safety of citizens and the improvement of public health.
The European Commission adopts annually the Work Plan of the Programme, which sets out the priority areas and funding criteria of its actions, inviting interested parties to submit their proposals within specific time frames. Actions funded by the Programme aim to strengthen the national policies of Member States with European added value. This implies that applicants must include partners from different Member States, with results applicable to other countries and European regions.
Participation in this programme is allowed to research institutes and universities, public administrations, NGOs and commercial companies under certain conditions. All participants must have their basis in Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and acceding countries.
The Second Programme of Community Action in the field of Health (2008-2013) has three main objectives:
- improving citizens' health security;
- promoting health and reduction of health inequalities;
- generating and disseminating health information and knowledge.
Further information regarding the Programme is available at the website of the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers: (http://ec.europa.eu/each/) and at the website of European Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/health/programme/policy/index_en.htm)
The European Coordination Sector (ECS) participates in the Committee for the Second Programme of Community Action in the field of Health (2008-2013) and it is the National Focal Point of Cyprus for the Programme. The participation in the meetings of the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC - European Agency for Health and Consumers) for matters relating to the Programme is constant.
ECS has also the authority and responsibility of informing the public, private and non-governmental organizations, regarding the possibility of submitting proposals for projects funded by the Programme and all related activities of the Executive Agency regarding the Programme.