WONCA Europe Newsletter
January 2026
Editor's Preface
We are delighted to share with you the first edition of the 2026 WONCA Europe Newsletter. While the new year brings fresh opportunities, it has also begun with heavy hearts for our community. WONCA Europe expresses its deepest solidarity following the recent tragedies in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and the tragic train crash in Spain. We also pause to honor the memory of Dr. Giora Almagor, a pillar of Family Medicine and a dear friend to many, whose legacy continues to inspire our work.
This issue provides a comprehensive look at the activities of our Networks, Working Parties, and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), as well as our critical involvement in international health projects:
- Quality and Safety: Highlights from the 67th EQuiP Council Meeting in Utrecht and an exclusive interview with Dr. Krzysztof Studziński regarding the upcoming EQuiP 2026 Conference on physician well-being.
- Network & SIG Updates: The latest news and opportunities from EFYDM, the Lifestyle Medicine SIG’s guide to creating health-promoting clinics, and the December/January updates from IPCRG.
- Advocacy & European Projects: An introduction to 2026 from the WP on Policy Advocacy and updates on our participation in the EU BClear Project. We also highlight the EVID-ACTION Newsletter, featuring the European Health Alliance on Alcohol’s (EHAA) official statement on alcohol.
- Community Support: A moving report on psychosocial support for elderly internally displaced persons through English classes in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
As always, this edition includes a summary of the WONCA Europe Executive Board’s monthly meeting report to keep you informed of our strategic direction.
For those who were unable to join the live session "WE Talk with Dr. Tara Kiran" regarding the future of primary care in Canada, the recording is now available to watch on-demand. Finally, please take a moment to view the WONCA Europe 2026 Conference banner for the latest updates on our upcoming gathering.
Please keep updated visiting our web page and follow us on our X (@WoncaEurope), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky accounts.
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On behalf of WONCA Europe Executive Board, Ioanna Tsiligianni, President-elect |
President’s Corner
Dear Colleagues,
As we began the year, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all members of the WONCA Europe community.
In January, the WONCA Europe Executive Board met in Paris for our first meeting of the year. These in-person discussions were both productive and inspiring, allowing us to review our strategic priorities, strengthen collaboration between our organisations, and plan the key activities - most of all our conference in Paris - ahead. I am grateful for the dedication and collegial spirit of all Board members, which continues to drive our work forward.
I would also like to highlight the EYFDM Conference in Tallinn, which brought together more than 350 young and future general practitioners from across Europe, it was an amazing experience to participate. EYFDM is an essential part of WONCA Europe, fostering innovation, leadership, and international exchange. I warmly encourage members to support and engage with this important event.
Throughout 2026, our networks will continue their valuable activities in education, research, quality improvement, and advocacy. Their energy and expertise are central to WONCA Europe’s strength, and I invite all members to participate actively in network initiatives and projects.
Finally, I wish to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. The situation remains extremely difficult for our Ukrainian colleagues and their patients. WONCA Europe stands in solidarity with them, and I kindly ask for your continued support—through advocacy, collaboration, and practical assistance—during this challenging time.
Together, let us move through 2026 with unity, compassion, and a shared vision for the future of family medicine in Europe.
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Warm regards, Thomas Frese |
News
Summary of the WONCA Europe Executive Board meeting in Paris 09-11/01/2025The WONCA Europe Executive Board met in Paris from 9 to 11 January for a face-to-face meeting and a meeting with HOC to advance preparations for the Paris 2026 conference. The Board continues to focus on governance, finance, and... |
Empowering Primary Care: WONCA Europe Joins the EU BClear Project to Tackle Bladder CancerThe BClear project has been launched to improve bladder cancer literacy in Europe, rolling out multilingual educational tools such as feature videos, infographics and downloadable guides, all with multiple translated options to reach diverse... |
IPCRG January 2026 NewsletterTunis 2026: Abstract submission closes on 22 February! There is now less than a month left to submit your abstract before the 22 February deadline - so now... |
WONCA Europe WP on Policy Advocacy: Welcome 2026!... |
Psychosocial Support for Elderly internally displaced persons through English Classes in Uzhhorod (Ukraine)During the war, elderly internally displaced persons are one of the most vulnerable groups. Many have lost their homes, are separated from their families, and feel lonely and uncertain about the future. These experiences strongly affect their... |
Advancing Quality and Safety in Primary Care: Key Takeaways from the 67th EQuiP Council Meeting & Projects ConferenceEQuiP – The European Society for Quality and Patient Safety in General Practice/Family Medicine successfully concluded its 2025 Winter Invitational Conference and Assembly from November 21–22. Hosted by the University Medical Center... |
EQuiP Conference 2026: Prioritizing Well-being and Resilience in Family Doctors – An Interview with Dr. Krzysztof StudzińskiAs preparations begin for the 68th EQuiP Conference in 2026, we sat down with the Conference President, Dr. Krzysztof Studziński, to discuss the vision of the organizing team for this landmark event in Kraków, Poland, and its critical... |
WONCA Europe Expresses Solidarity Following the Tragic Train Crash in SpainWONCA Europe is deeply saddened by the news of the devastating train collision in Spain. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. In these difficult moments, our thoughts... |
In Memoriam: Dr. Giora Almagor – A Pillar of Family Medicine and a Dear FriendOn behalf of ELEGEIA and the WONCA Family It is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of loss that I write these words to honor the memory of Dr. Giora Almagor. To the international medical community, he was a visionary leader and a pioneer... |
WONCA Europe Expresses Solidarity Following the Crans-Montana TragedyThe WONCA Europe Executive Board and our wider community of family doctors across the European region express our profound sadness and deepest condolences following the catastrophic fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s... |
The Lifestyle Medicine SIG Newsletter - Steps to Create a Health Promoting ClinicSteps to create a health promoting clinic A clinic can do much more than “fix problems”. It can become a living laboratory where patients and staff practice healthier living together – a health promoting clinic that... |
Canada Impact + Research Chair PositionsWestern University (London, Canada) invites world-leading researchers to apply for one of several prestigious Canada Impact+ Research Chair opportunities. The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a one-time... |
EFYDM News and Opportunities - DecemberSEASON'S GREETINGS FROM... |
EVID-ACTION Newsletter - DecemberWelcome to this new edition of the WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol (EVID-ACTION) project newsletter.With this last newsletter of 2025, WHO/Europe would like to share the latest project developments of the past three... |
Upcoming Events
 2026 European Forum on Prevention and Primary Care 26-27 March 2026, Madrid, Spain |
 4th EURACT Medical Education Conference 23-25 April 2026, Iasi, Romania |
 3rd CaReMeLO Conference 8-9 May 2026, Munich, Germany & Online |
 102nd EGPRN Meeting 14-17 May 2026, Verona, Italy |
 68th EQuiP Conference 21-23 May 2026, Kraków, Poland |
 30th WONCA Europe Conference 30 June - 3 July 2026, Paris, France |
 35th Janko Kersnik International EURACT Bled Course 23-26 September 2026, Bled, Slovenia |
 15th EURIPA Rural Health Forum 1-3 October 2026, Cartagena, Spain |
You may send your events and news articles directly to our website by logging into your Wonca Europe account. Please send other materials, such as interesting stories and reflections, to SecretariatEurope@wonca.net for our upcoming editions. We ask you to send the newsletter to all your colleagues and to share it on your website / Facebook / Twitter homepage.