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 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.
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