The TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is an advocacy network that brings together civil society representatives (individuals and organisations) from across the WHO European Region; in order to strengthen the role of civil society within the regional response to tuberculosis (TB), and to increase the political and financial commitment required to effectively control the epidemic in region. TBEC was formed by a group of TB advocates in 2009. They identified a need to capacitate and bring together civil society in order to address two major concerns: high-rates of drug resistance, coupled with low awareness among general populations and policy-makers about this problem. This was especially due to a scarcity of civil society stakeholders working on TB in the region, despite their important role within an effective response, with few capable of advocating for TB at national or regional level. TBEC addresses this by providing a coordinating body that brings together civil society stakeholders across the region, disseminates high-quality information and resources, promotes collaboration and best practice, and aims to build the advocacy capacity of civil society stakeholders working to control TB.
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The TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is an advocacy network that brings together civil society representatives (individuals and organisations) from across the WHO European Region; in order to strengthen the role of civil society within the region response to tuberculosis (TB), and to increase the political and financial commitment required to effectively control the epidemic in the region.
The year 2016 is another critical year for the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Europe. The latest evidence continues to affirm that the fight against TB, and particularly drug-resistant TB, is far from won in the region and sustained community advocacy, capacity building, and high-level advocacy are needed to achieve this goal.

Main specific objectives of the programme:
1) Increase understanding of the civil society contribution to the TB response;
2) By the end of 2016, maintain and strengthen the TBEC website as a regional platform serving 375 civil society stakeholders working within the TB response;
3) Provide access to TBEC support and representation to civil society stakeholders in at least 75% of countries within the Region by the end of 2016;
4) Strengthen the voice of civil society in all accessible EU and regional forums/ consultations throughout 2016;
5) Manage TBEC’s governance and internal processes for the successfully implementation of this work programme throughout 2016;

These objectives will be achieved via the delivery of key outputs:
- Map civil society stakeholders across the WHO European Region
- Facilitate access to information and resources for capacity building for target groups
- Conduct outreach to civil society across the region with the aim of expanding the network and building relationships with target groups
- Engage with decision-makers on behalf of civil society across the region
- Manage the network effectively to implement the three-year work programme





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The TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is an advocacy network that brings together civil society representatives (individuals and organisations) from across the WHO European Region; in order to strengthen the role of civil society within the region response to tuberculosis (TB), and to increase the political and financial commitment required to effectively control the epidemic in the region.
The year 2017 is the 3rd year of the FPA and another critical year for the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Europe. The latest evidence continues to affirm that the fight against TB, and particularly drug-resistant TB, is far from won in the region and sustained community advocacy, capacity building, and high-level advocacy are needed to achieve this goal.

Main specific objectives of the programme:
1) Increase understanding of the civil society contribution to TB response across 80% of the Region by the end of 2017;
2) By the end of 2017, maintain and strengthen the TBEC website as a regional platform serving 400 civil society stakeholders working within the TB response;
3) Provide access to TBEC support and representation to civil society stakeholders in at least 80% of countries within the Region by the end of 2017;
4) Strengthen the voice of civil society in all accessible EU, regional and international forums/consultations throughout 2017;
5) Manage TBEC’s governance and internal processes for the successful implementation of this work programme throughout 2017.

These objectives will be achieved via the delivery of key outputs:
- Mapping civil society stakeholders across the region;
- Facilitate access to information and resources for target groups;
- Conduct outreach to civil society across the region with the aim of expanding the network and building relationships with target groups;
- Engage with decision-makers to advocate on behalf of civil society across the region;
- Manage the network effectively to implement the three-year work programme.

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TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is the only regional civil society network working exclusively on TB in the WHO Europe region and, with 171 members in 35 WHO Europe countries, is uniquely positioned to increase the political will needed to end the TB epidemic across the region by strengthening the coordinated response of civil society.
According to the latest figures released by the WHO in the Global Tuberculosis Report 2017, TB continues to be the world’s leading infectious killer, resulting in 10.4 million new infections globally - 600, 000 of which were drug resistant. Unfortunately, the WHO Europe region continues to lead in two key areas of concern - drug resistant TB and TB/HIV co-infection. Nevertheless, TB has maintained a low profile on the regional - and global - political agenda, failing to receive the attention and resources it deserves. 2018 provides unprecedented political opportunities to advance the fight against the epidemic, such as the first ever UN High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis, which could trigger a dramatic shift in the global and European response. A strong, engaged and coordinated civil society will be key to guarantee these opportunities are not missed.
TBEC has identified health system financing, people-centred TB policy, and TB R&D as the key thematic priorities in the region for the next three years.
TBEC has identified four key objectives for 2018 work plan: 1) well-structured TBEC governance and accountability mechanisms; 2) robust processes for communication and external outreach, including one-to-one engagement; 3) strong partnerships with key decision makers, influencers and civil society in interdependent policy areas, in particular TBEC priority thematic areas; and 4) identification of skill gaps and knowledge needs amongst TBEC members, specifically with focus on best practices, as well as opportunities for training programme in 2019.

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TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is the only regional civil society network working exclusively on TB in the WHO Europe region and, with 180 members in 35 WHO Europe countries, is uniquely positioned to increase the political will needed to end the TB epidemic across the region by strengthening the coordinated response of civil society.

Despite being preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) is the biggest infectious disease killer. Global leaders have committed to end the epidemic by 2030 but, at current rates of progress, this will not be achieved for another 100 years at least. 2018 was a turning point in the fight against TB; the UN High-Level Meeting on TB spurred unprecedented political attention for TB. It is essential that civil society work collectively in 2019 to ensure that this momentum is not lost. TBEC members will play a significant role in holding national governments, and the region collectively, to account.

TBEC has identified health system financing, people-centred TB policy, and TB R&D as the key thematic priorities in the region for the next three years.

TBEC has identified four key objectives for 2019 work plan: 1) well-structured TBEC governance and accountability mechanisms; 2) robust processes for communication and external outreach, including first ever comprehensive media strategy and new TBEC website; 3) strong partnerships with key decision makers, influencers and civil society in interdependent policy areas, in particular TBEC priority thematic areas; and 4) knowledge exchange visit from the high-burden TB EU countries, online webinars and publications.

TBEC’s objectives are directly relevant to the four 3rd Health Programme Objectives and DG SANTE and will further increase the EU’s existing public health knowledge on TB, advance coordinated efforts to combat DR-TB and TB/HIV co-infection, and subsequently, reduce the financial burden of TB on health systems and, positively impact the health of citizens in the European region.

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TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is the only regional civil society networking, working exclusively on TB in the WHO Europe region and, with 220 members in 35 WHO Europe countries, is uniquely positioned to increase the political will amongst international and regional decision-makers and strengthen necessary capabilities amongst its members to end the TB epidemic across the region.

Despite being preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) is the biggest infectious disease killer in the world, with the WHO Europe region being home of 18 high-priorities countries, including the numerous EU Member States. Although global leaders have committed to ending the epidemic by 2030, including reiterating their commitment at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB, the current slow rate of progress means that this will not be achieved for another 100 years at least. It is essential that civil society pushes national governments to ensure that the political commitments expressed at international and regional fora result in necessary and visible changes at the country level.

TBEC has identified health system financing, quality people-centred care and TB R&D and access to existing tools as the key thematic priorities in the region.
TBEC has identified four key objectives for 2020 work plan:
1) well functioning and accountable TBEC governance mechanisms;
2) comprehensive communication and outreach activities, aimed at greater membership participation and collaboration;
3) strong partnerships with key decision makers and relevant civil society networks, working in TBEC priority areas;
4) capacity building activities via exchange visits, country workshops, mentoring programme and webinars.

TBEC's objectives are directly relevant to the four 3rd Health Programme Objectives, DG SANTE and CHAFEA. The foreseen activities will further increase the EU's existing public health knowledge on TB, advance coordinated efforts to fight DR-TB and TB-HIV co-infection, reducing the financial burden.
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TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is the only regional civil society network working exclusively on TB in the WHO Europe region and, with 220 members in 35 WHO Europe countries, is uniquely positioned to increase the political will amongst decision-makers and strengthen necessary capabilities amongst its members to end the TB epidemic across the region. Despite being preventable and curable, TB is the biggest infectious disease killer in the world, with the WHO Europe region being home of 18 high-priorities countries, including the numerous EU Member States. Although global leaders have committed to ending the epidemic by 2030, including reiterating their commitment at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB, the current slow rate of progress means that this will not be achieved for another 100 years at least. It is essential that civil society pushes national governments to ensure that the political commitments expressed at international and regional fora result in necessary and visible changes at the country level. TBEC has identified health system financing, quality people-centred care and TB R&D and access to existing tools as the key thematic priorities in the region. TBEC has identified four key objectives for 2020 work plan: 1) well functioning and accountable TBEC governance mechanisms; 2) comprehensive communication and outreach activities, aimed at greater membership participation and collaboration; 3) strong partnerships with key decision-makers and relevant civil society networks, working in TBEC priority areas; 4) capacity building activities via exchange visits, country workshops, mentoring programme and webinars. TBEC's objectives are directly relevant to the four 3rd Health Programme Objectives, DG SANTE and CHAFEA. The foreseen activities will further increase the EU's existing public health knowledge on TB, advance coordinated efforts to fight DR-TB and TB-HIV co-infection, reducing the financial burden.


The TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is an advocacy network that brings together civil society representatives (individuals and organisations) from across the WHO European Region; in order to strengthen the role of civil society within the regional response to tuberculosis (TB), and to increase the political and financial commitment required to effectively control the epidemic in region. TBEC was formed by a group of TB advocates in 2009. They identified a need to capacitate and bring together civil society in order to address two major concerns: high-rates of drug resistance, coupled with low awareness among general populations and policy-makers about this problem. This was especially due to a scarcity of civil society stakeholders working on TB in the region, despite their important role within an effective response, with few capable of advocating for TB at national or regional level. TBEC addresses this by providing a coordinating body that brings together civil society stakeholders across the region, disseminates high-quality information and resources, promotes collaboration and best practice, and aims to build the advocacy capacity of civil society stakeholders working to control TB.
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The TB Europe Coalition (TBEC) is a network of civil society representatives advocating for an increase in political and financial will required to effectively control the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. Since it was established in 2009, the coalition has grown into a strong and well-respected network, with 342 members in 31 countries across the WHO Europe region, of which 150 members are spread across 17 EU Member States.

TB is the world’s leading infectious disease responsible for an annual 1.8 million deaths globally. TB does not exclusively affect countries outside of the EU in fact; five EU Member States are World Health Organisation TB high-priority countries, presenting high rates of TB drug resistance and co-infection with HIV. Furthermore, as an airborne and hard-to-cure infectious disease, TB represents a threat to public health and the sustainability of health systems across Europe. However, TB has remained low on the regional and EC political agenda, receiving neither the attention nor resources it deserves.

As a result of the EC CHAFEA 2015-2017 FPA, TBEC was able to extend its network and increase both the reach and regional representation of its members. To capitalize on these developments TBEC is now pressing to deepen the capacity and capabilities of TBEC members to successfully advocate for strong TB policies and financing. TBEC proposes to facilitate this via strengthening existing partnerships with health stakeholders; forging relationships with parliamentarians across the region; and identifying and addressing skills and knowledge gaps in the TBEC members. This will enable TBEC to play a unique role in EU-wide advocacy, contributing to, and influencing, key policies and events - to ensure that there is the political and financial will to end TB within the EU and worldwide.

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