The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) provides a unique platform as the only organisation with the mission of uniting at the European level, national and regional cancer leagues to achieve a cancer-free Europe. In coherence with the FPA 2018-2021, and building upon the outcomes from previous years of the FPA, this proposal focuses on the core activities to be implemented in 2021 in respect of the following strategic objectives:

1) Ensuring cancer control remains high on the political agenda;
2) Promoting the European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) as the essential tool for cancer prevention;
3) Supporting the implementation of the Council Recommendation on Cancer Screening (2003); and
4) Uniting leagues to advocate for equal access to treatment, support, and rehabilitation for cancer patients;
5) Advocating for the European Guide for quality improvement in cancer control to be mainstreamed in national cancer plans.
These objectives will be achieved by several actions, including:

- Implementing the MEPs against Cancer (MAC) 2019 elections manifesto and supporting with a toolkit to commemorate World Cancer Day;
- Publishing a communication guideline for cancer leagues to promote the European Week against cancer (EWAC);
- Developing the viewpoint of cancer leagues on the future of the European Code against Cancer (ECAC) based on the findings of the ECAC evaluation;
- Create a special tutorial on the background and application of the ECAC for young advocates in the ECL Youth Ambassadors programme;
- Supporting the roadmap towards a 3rd implementation report on cancer screening in the EU;
- Releasing the updated edition of the Patient Support Working Group Rehabilitation Atlas;
- Continuation of the advocacy work of the ECL Access to Medicines Task Force implementing the 2018 'Let's Talk Access'
White Paper on Equal Access to Medicines.
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Individuals with chronic diseases and mental disorders often experience work-related problems, such as unemployment, absenteeism, reduced productivity and stigmatization in the workplace, leading to negative consequences at individual, national and European level. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and mental disorders as well as the current economic crisis make this issue even more problematic, requiring action in terms of innovative strategies to improve the participation of these persons in the labor market. Unfortunately, this is hindered by a lack of knowledge of which strategies are available in the different European countries and their effectiveness, and a lack of clarity regarding the employment-related needs of these individuals, leading to gaps between what is offered and what is needed. Therefore, PATHWAYS aims a) to identify integration and re-integration strategies that are available in Europe and beyond, b) to determine their effectiveness, c) to assess the specific employment-related needs of persons with chronic diseases and mental disorders and d) to develop guidelines supporting the implementation of effective professional integration and reintegration strategies. Involvement in PATHWAYS of 12 partners with vast expertise in the area of chronic and mental conditions and employment from 10 different European countries allows to compare strategies between different European regions, taking into account cultural, social, and political differences. Stakeholder consultations, including advocacy organizations, employers, policy makers, international organizations, and European Union delegates, will provide useful insights as to the development and implementation of policy recommendations to improve their integration or reintegration into the workplace. In this way, PATHWAYS will provide the first steps to work towards a more inclusive labor market in which persons with chronic diseases and mental disorders can meaningfully participate.
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