The Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) hosted an Advocacy Toolkit Training on 15 October 2025, bringing together representatives from SIP National Platforms, EFIC, Pain Alliance Europe (PAE), and partner organisations. The session focused on strengthening advocacy, communication, and policy engagement across Europe.
The training explored how SIP’s advocacy tools and materials can be adapted to different political and cultural contexts. Participants discussed translating and localising SIP resources — including infographics, flyers, and policy briefs — while maintaining consistent visual identity. Several national platforms expressed interest in developing versions in additional languages to enhance outreach and stakeholder engagement.
The meeting also addressed how SIP’s collaborative structure functions as an informal, cross-sector network uniting patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners around shared goals.
Participants exchanged experiences from national advocacy work, highlighting successful use of SIP materials in meetings with policymakers. Discussions underscored the value of combining professional, patient, and scientific perspectives in advocacy, as well as the importance of addressing issues such as gender bias, health equity, and employment and pain.
Given the shifting European political landscape, participants agreed that advocacy strategies must remain flexible and evidence-based. They also identified the employment impact of chronic pain as a key policy priority for 2026.
Action points from the meeting include:
- Translating and adapting SIP materials for national use
- Strengthening coordination and communication between national platforms
- Expanding advocacy training and support across Europe
- Prioritising employment and pain in future initiatives
📄 The full Report of the meeting is available here.
