The Commission announced in DOUE that  updated texts of the calls for proposals for joint actions, projects and operating grants under the 2nd Community Action Programme in Health (2008-2013) are now available.

Decision No 1350/2007/EC established the Second Programme of action in the field of health (2008-2013), which aims to complement, support and add value to the policies of the Member States and contribute to greater solidarity and prosperity in the European Union. The Programme's objectives are to improve the health of the citizens, promote health, including reducing inequalities in health, and to generate and disseminate information and knowledge about health.

As for actions, those with a strong European added value in relation to several areas will have a special preference to:

• Contribution to improving the health of European citizens, far, wherever possible, with appropriate indicators, including the indicator of life expectancy in good health.
• Contribution to the reduction of inequalities in health within Member States and EU regions and between them.
• Contribution to capacity building for development and implementation of effective policies in public health, especially in areas with greatest needs.
• Involvement of new players (not traditional) health, sustainable actions, cooperative and ethical strength, both regionally and locally and across the participating countries.

Calls for proposals

Under the second program of Community action in the field of health (2008-2013), together with the work plan 2009, the European Commission has issued four calls for proposals concerning:

• The financial contributions for specific actions in the form of projects.
• The financial contributions for specific actions in the form of lectures.
• The financial contributions for the functioning of nongovernmental organizations and networks (operating grants).
• An invitation to Member States and participating countries to submit joint actions.

The deadline for submission of proposals from different calls is May 20, 2009.

All information on the call is available on the website of the Executive Agency for Health and Consumer Affairs.