Parkinson’s Europe is thrilled to start 2025 with a brand new, multi-year strategy, and we think you should be too. Driven by our passion to support the needs of people with Parkinson’s and their families across Europe, we believe Parkinson’s Europe’s strategy is ambitious and achievable.
You can read more about Parkinson’s Europe’s strategy here, but below we are excited to share our top five takeaways as we embark on this four-year journey.
ONE: Parkinson’s at heart of new strategy
If you take one thing from our strategy, it is that it has the voice of people affected by Parkinson’s at its heart. It was created by the Parkinson’s Europe team using data and insights shared by people affected by Parkinson’s, healthcare professionals, and our member organisations.
To create the foundations of the strategy we used our manifesto, created in 2022 using the views of almost 1,000 people from the Parkinson’s community across 39 countries. We also looked at a variety of surveys and information sources we have collected through our partnership work, as well as the results from our most recent members survey. We also took inspiration from strategies used by other healthcare-focused organisations, and received support and guidance from our Board.
“The members survey and manifesto were the main data sources for framing for Parkinson’s Europe’s strategy,” says Parkinson’s Europe Strategic Director Amelia Hursey, who led its creation. “We looked through all the information and pulled out the key themes that were repeatedly mentioned across the data resources, which created our three action pillars. We soon saw that having strategic pillars, rather than goals, made more sense to help us to fulfil the needs of our community.”
The plans were then sense-checked by member organisations, she adds, saying: “It did evolve – for example ‘data and insights’ became ‘data and innovation’. We made sure that the pillars are supported by our core values as an organisation. They are designed to expand and focus the work we already do.”
TWO: Tracking data and innovation in a fast-changing world
Our data & innovation pillar is intrinsic to our strategy. “We are excited to track and strategically understand what is happening in Europe, especially when thinking about how the world is evolving so quickly with new technologies and artificial intelligence,” Amelia says.
“Without data we can’t do anything, as we do not have enough evidence or sway to change the dialogue about what is happening to people with Parkinson’s in Europe. There is no clear data picture of Parkinson’s in Europe right now, and no central data source.”
With lofty ambitions baked into the strategy, the first steps will be identifying those best placed to support and further our goals. “We will start with collaboration and by identifying who holds relevant data in Europe to do with Parkinson’s. It is not necessarily about being the leader here, but being a collaborator or partner within the work that is happening. It is about activities that will take place over the next four years – to make sure we get the picture as in focus as we can before we make each step forward.”
THREE: A strategy to engage and empower
One key focus for our empowerment pillar will be to grow our Engagement Network, taking the project to the next level (you can sign up here). “We are excited to see how it can evolve to best serve the Parkinson’s community in Europe, putting even more opportunities out there for all,” says Amelia.
Plans include even more content, connecting more of the work to our map, and sharing even more opportunities. She adds: “We will increase our outreach and connection with the people who are producing and leading on call-to-action opportunities. It is also about bringing more people towards the network, so they can benefit from knowing what activities they can be involved with.”
FOUR: Raising awareness so more people understand Parkinson’s
Our Awareness and Visibility pillar intends to shine a spotlight on Parkinson’s – and the fact it is the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition – to reach those who can make a tangible difference.
“We have an obligation to make as many people as possible aware of Parkinson’s, so they can expand their knowledge on what it is like for people living with the condition day to day,” Amelia explains. “We want to help them become advocates for the condition so they increase the visibility for others as well. By making it more visible to decision-makers in Europe, we will have more ability to change the narrative about Parkinson’s.”
FIVE: Parkinson’s Europe strategy reflects we’re stronger when working together
Much like the various groups within the Parkinson’s community, the three pillars in Parkinson’s Europe’s strategy are greater than the sum of their parts. “We are excited that all these three pillars interlink and coexist together,” says Amelia.
It is this synergy that strengthens the plan. “Without data and innovation, we cannot empower our community; if we do not empower them, we will not increase visibility. Without visibility, we will not have access to the new innovations out there. So all three pillars work together,” Amelia says. “And all of them reflect the issues that need to be addressed, as highlighted to us by the Parkinson’s community across Europe.”
Please see here for more information on Parkinson’s Europe’s new strategy for 2025-2028.
