With an estimation of around 12 million people with a history of cancer in Europe, including around 300 000 children, effective therapies and supportive care are key not only to ensure higher survival rates, but also to improve patients’ quality of life before, during and after the treatment. 

During this year’s European Week Against Cancer, discover EU-funded projects and initiatives that are working to provide cancer patients with the highest quality of life possible.

EU4Health

OACCUS (Outdoor Against Cancer Connects Us) developed and sustained a network of young people living with cancer to improve their quality of life through the promotion of a healthy lifestyle based on outdoor sports and exercise, a healthy nutrition, physical and mental wellbeing and a healthy environment.

The project developed a virtual platform with a total of 280 resources for young people living with cancer including articles, videos and podcasts, and trained a network of 500 Ambassadors.

The Joint Action eCAN identified actions and developed a roadmap for scaling up e-health, telemedicine and remote monitoring applications to reduce cancer care inequalities across the EU. The roadmap provides the state of play of current telemedicine practices, envisions the future landscape of digital health in the EU, and outlines recommendations that need to be taken to transition from the current state of play to the desirable future situation. According to the project conclusions, integrating telemedicine into day-to-day healthcare practices requires a combination of policy frameworks, IT infrastructure development, training and educational resources, stakeholder engagement, integration into healthcare systems, and continuous evaluation. Concretely, eCAN recommended engaging patients in the design and testing of telemedicine services, while also offering specialised training and resources to healthcare providers and caregivers to assist patients in adopting this new technology.  Moreover, eCAN highlighted the need to ensure the development of solid IT infrastructures for telemedicine services and the exchange of health data among EU countries.  

The work done during the project’s two years of existence will continue with the next Joint Action, eCAN Plus, a four-year initiative that will aim to enhance the digital capabilities of cancer centres in the EU, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. Its wider scope aims to address new challenges, such as enhancing digital collaboration within and among cancer centres and aligning cancer centres with the European Health Data Space infrastructures. 

HaDEA is also managing a contract to produce a study to map the provision of healthcare to Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) cancer patients and survivors in all EU countries, Norway and Iceland. Based on the evidence collected, the study will document and analyse major barriers and enabling factors for the design and provision of quality care before, during and after cancer treatment, while also highlighting best practices and innovative approaches. The contractors will develop recommendations for future actions at the national level and suggest strategies to improve the provision of targeted healthcare to AYA cancer patients and survivors.

Another study on the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors (CanQoL+) aims to examine the policy actions implemented across countries to monitor and improve quality of life, as well as identify common indicators to comprehensively assess progress on quality of life across European countries, Norway and Iceland. 

Horizon Europe

EUonQoL is establishing a standardised, patient-centred approach for assessing the quality of life of cancer patients and people with a history of cancer across Europe. By developing a harmonised methodology, the project seeks to generate reliable, comparable data to inform policy and improve patient outcomes. 

Based on a literature review and co-design activities with cancer patients, caregivers and relevant stakeholders, the project has already developed a set of quality-of-life questionnaires and piloted them in cancer centres across Europe. The next phase focuses on the implementation of these questionnaires in the form of surveys at the national and European levels and spontaneous data collection, while exploring practical ways by which EUonQoL can synergise with leading initiatives and organisations in European and national cancer policy.

Background

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and calls for tenders.    

Horizon Europe is the research and innovation programme of the EU for the period 2021-2027. The aims of Cluster 1 ‘Health’ include improving and protecting the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases. Horizon 2020 (H2020) was the EU’s multiannual funding programme between 2014 and 2020.

In a major push to bolster its global competitiveness in the technology sector, the European Commission has launched a comprehensive Startup and Scaleup Strategy , aimed at transforming Europe into a premier destination for launching and scaling globally competitive, technology-driven companies. The initiative, announced this month, is part of a broader effort to close the innovation gap between Europe and its counterparts in North America and Asia.

The strategy arrives at a critical juncture. While Europe is home to world-class research institutions, a highly skilled workforce, and robust public funding mechanisms, it has long struggled to convert promising startups into tech giants. Too often, innovative ideas born in European labs fail to make the leap to market—or are acquired by foreign firms before reaching scale.

“Startups and scaleups are the engines of innovation, job creation, and strategic autonomy,” said a senior Commission official involved in drafting the plan. “This strategy is about giving them the tools, the environment, and the support they need to thrive right here in Europe.”

Five Pillars of the Startup and Scaleup Strategy

At the heart of the new approach are five key areas designed to address the lifecycle challenges faced by startups—from ideation to international expansion:

1. Fostering an Innovation-Friendly Environment

One of the biggest hurdles for entrepreneurs in Europe is navigating the continent’s fragmented regulatory landscape. The Commission aims to reduce red tape and simplify legal frameworks across member states, ensuring that startups can focus on growth rather than compliance.

“We want to create a single, seamless ecosystem where a company founded in Lisbon can operate as easily in Berlin or Helsinki,” said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market. “Less bureaucracy means more innovation.”

2. Driving Better Financing

Despite having access to strong early-stage funding, European startups often face a venture capital (VC) gap when scaling up. The Commission will work to deepen and integrate the EU’s venture capital market, encouraging institutional investors—such as pension funds and insurance companies—to increase their exposure to high-growth tech ventures.

A flagship goal is to unlock €10 billion in new private capital over the next five years through targeted policy reforms and co-investment initiatives.

3. Supporting Market Uptake and Expansion

Speeding up the transition from lab to market is another priority. The Commission plans to strengthen connections between research institutions and industry, streamline procurement processes, and offer pilot programs to test innovations in real-world settings.

“We have some of the best scientists and engineers in the world,” said Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Education. “Now we must ensure their breakthroughs reach consumers faster.”

4. Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

Recognizing that talent is the lifeblood of innovation, the strategy aligns closely with the “Choose Europe” initiative—a pan-EU campaign to attract top researchers and entrepreneurs from around the globe.

New fast-track visa schemes, improved recognition of foreign qualifications, and better mobility pathways for founders and technical experts will be introduced. The Commission also plans to expand postdoctoral fellowships and startup incubators targeting international talent.

“Europe offers stability, freedom, and quality of life,” said Gabriel. “We want to make sure that the brightest minds see Europe not just as a place to visit—but as a place to build.”

5. Facilitating Access to Infrastructure and Services

To help startups scale efficiently, the Commission will harmonize access to digital infrastructure, cloud services, testing facilities, and supply chains. It will also standardize contractual conditions to reduce disparities between national markets.

This includes expanding the European Innovation Council (EIC) ’s support network and accelerating access to Horizon Europe funding, which allocates €93.5 billion for research and innovation until 2027.

Strategic Alignment with “Choose Europe”

The startup strategy dovetails with the broader “Choose Europe” initiative, which promotes the EU as a global hub for science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Recent announcements include:

• A new MSCA Choose Europe for Science program offering grants of up to €3.5 million.
• Over 60 cross-border funding and support schemes available across all 27 member states.
• Significant investments in research careers, including €1.25 billion allocated earlier this year to attract top researchers.

Together, these efforts aim to position Europe as a magnet for global talent and innovation, particularly amid growing geopolitical tensions and restrictions on scientific mobility elsewhere.

Implementation and Monitoring

The Commission will publish regular progress reports, with the first due by the end of 2027. Member states, regional authorities, universities, and private-sector partners are expected to play a central role in executing the strategy locally.

“This isn’t just about supporting startups—it’s about building a culture of innovation across Europe,” said President Ursula von der Leyen during a recent speech in Paris. “If we get this right, we won’t just create jobs—we’ll shape the future.”

A Vision for Global Leadership

With its Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the EU is making a bold bet: that innovation, sustainability, and openness can drive both economic resilience and global leadership. By removing barriers, mobilizing capital, and attracting talent, Europe is laying the groundwork for a new generation of tech champions—ones that will define the industries of tomorrow, from green hydrogen to artificial intelligence.

As António Costa, President of the European Council, recently noted while addressing Brazilian business leaders:

“When the foundation is solid, we just need to move forward with confidence.”

For Europe’s startup ecosystem, that moment of confidence may finally be here.

The Commission has launched an EU startup and scaleup strategy to make Europe a great place for starting and growing global technology-driven companies. It’s part of the broader Choose Europe initiative, and it will help strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

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New Delhi / Brussels — In a significant step toward strengthening maritime security cooperation, the European Union and India are set to conduct a joint naval exercise from June 1–3 in the Indian Ocean. The operation marks a new chapter in strategic collaboration between Europe and South Asia amid rising global instability and growing concerns over freedom of navigation in key sea lanes.

The three-day exercise will bring together the Indian Navy and two European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) frigates — the Antonio MARCEGLIA (Italy) and the REINA SOFIA (Spain) — under the framework of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA. It will focus on advanced counter-piracy operations, tactical maneuvers, interoperability drills, and improved communication protocols, reflecting both sides’ shared commitment to safeguarding international waters.

A Strategic Signal in Troubled Waters

This exercise comes at a time when maritime routes — especially those crossing the Indian Ocean — have become increasingly vulnerable. From piracy off the Horn of Africa to illegal fishing and narcotics trafficking, the region is facing a complex array of threats that no single nation can address alone.

“This is more than just a military drill,” said a senior official from the European External Action Service (EEAS), who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s a tangible demonstration of the EU-India partnership in promoting a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.”

Both parties have emphasized their adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Their joint statement reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for sovereignty — values that are increasingly contested in various parts of the world.

Building on Recent Diplomatic Momentum

The upcoming exercise follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements between the EU and India earlier this year. In February 2025, the College of Commissioners visited New Delhi, where one of the key outcomes was to deepen cooperation on maritime domain awareness — a critical component in detecting and responding to threats at sea.

In March, the fourth EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue further solidified plans to counter illicit maritime activities, including smuggling and illegal fishing. That dialogue was followed by a visit from Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, who met with Indian naval leadership in April to explore ways to enhance bilateral coordination.

“India has been a reliable partner in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean Region,” said Admiral Villanueva during a press briefing in New Delhi. “Our navies have already worked closely in the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea, and now we are taking our relationship to the next level.”

A Legacy of Cooperation

Naval cooperation between the EU and India is not new. Since 2008, EUNAVFOR’s Operation ATALANTA has played a crucial role in combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden, protecting vital shipping lanes used by vessels from around the world. Over the years, the mission’s mandate has expanded to include countering narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling, and illegal fishing.

Indian Navy ships have frequently conducted Passing Exercises (PASSEX) with EUNAVFOR warships in the Indian Ocean, but this will be the first formalized, multinational joint exercise involving EU forces and the Indian Navy under a structured command framework led by respective Maritime Operations Centres.

Furthermore, the Indian Navy has been actively supporting humanitarian missions coordinated by ATALANTA, including escorting World Food Programme-chartered vessels through high-risk zones.

Regional and Global Implications

The Indian Ocean remains a geopolitical hotspot. With China expanding its naval presence through port investments and military deployments across the region, both the EU and India see value in reinforcing partnerships that uphold open seas and transparent governance.

While neither side has explicitly named any adversary, analysts note that such exercises send a clear signal about shared strategic priorities.

“The EU-India naval exercise is not just about piracy or fisheries,” said Dr. Clara Martínez, a defense analyst at the European Institute for Security Studies (EUISS). “It’s about building trust, operational synergy, and long-term resilience in a region where maritime security is increasingly politicized.”

As the world grapples with overlapping crises — from climate-induced displacement to great power competition — the ability of democracies to collaborate across continents becomes ever more vital.

With this exercise, the EU and India are showing that they are ready to lead — not only in words, but in coordinated action on the high seas.

EU and India to carry out joint naval exercise in Indian Ocean to reinforce maritime security cooperation

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