An essential aspect of the activities of the IPPF European Network (IPPF EN), whose Regional Office is located in Brussels (Belgium), is awareness-raising and political advocacy work towards the institutions of the European Union (EU), i.e., the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
This includes, among other things, reacting to documents and proposals of the European Commission, contributing to reports of the European Parliament and writing to representatives of Member States in Brussels.
IPPF EN is an observer in the Civil Society Forum on HIV ran by DG Sanco and is a member of the Health Policy Forum also organized by DG Sanco.
This work is also carried out through the strong networks of NGOs of which IPPF EN is a member, such as the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the Platform of European Social NGOs, and the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development (CONCORD)
IPPF EN has participative status with the Council of Europe and special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
IPPF EN, both through its member MAs and the Regional Office, collaborates with the United Nations agencies such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and WHO Europe.
“Building a Civil Society Platform for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Russian Federation”
This TACIS Institution Partnership Programme (IBPP) project, funded by the EC and implemented by IPPF EN and the Russian Family Planning Association (RFPA) ran from June 2005 to May 2007.
The purpose of the project was to reinforce active Civil Society Organization’s (CSO) participation in Russia’s democratic decision making process and strengthen CSO’s role as counterparts to the central authority of the State by advocating actively and effectively for SRHR.
A specific component of the project focused on young people and the poor political response to the SRHR needs of the Russian population – especially among young people in the country – that results in inadequate regulations, policies and SRHR services delivery.
The project was implemented in 4 regional branches of the RFPA in Ivanovo, Tatarstan, Karelia and Samara. Project target groups included young people and civil society organizations representing vulnerable and marginalized groups of the population.
RFPA has improved collaboration with approximately 20 CSOs forming the basis for a civil society platform on SRHR.