1. Sponsored from 2014-2016 with thanks to a grant from Grunenthal, Pfizer and Biogen

2. MEP Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain
Aims to: Encourage research into and access to innovative treatments, promote prevention and self- management approaches, decrease stigma and work together to improve quality of life for people living with these disabling conditions.

3. We call on European Policy-Makers, via the Institutions and Member States, to:
Support patient-led campaigns to educate, eradicate stigma and raise awareness of neurological and chronic pain disorders
Support research into the development of innovative prevention and treatment options within a regulatory framework which facilitates equitable access to affordable therapies
Strengthen patient involvement in this research, and in policy-setting and decision-making
Implement relevant European social legislation to ensure appropriate support for people living with neurological and chronic pain disorders

4. EU Priority Policy Areas 2017
Giving a new boost to jobs, growth and investment through strengthening the European fund for strategic investment, modernising trade defence instruments, improving waste management in a circular economy, making progress on the banking union and on the capital markets union
Addressing the social dimension of the EU, in particular through enhancing the youth employment initiative, improving social security coordination, allowing easier access of accessible products and services to the market and creating a European solidarity corps
Better protecting EU citizens' security, in particular through better protecting external borders (via an entry-exit system, smart border and a European travel information authorisation system), stronger rules on buying and possessing firearms, fighting terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing and information exchange on third country nationals
Reforming the EU's migration policy in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity, notably through revising the EU's asylum rules and enhancing investments in third countries to address the root causes of migration
Delivering on a digital single market, in particular through reforming the EU telecoms and copyright rules, allowing the use of the 700 MHz band for mobile services, preventing unjustified geo-blocking, revising the audiovisual media services directive and modernising the common data protection rules
Building an energy union and a forward looking climate change policy, notably through the implementation of the 2030 climate and energy framework, the follow-up to the Paris agreement and the clean energy for all Europeans package

5. EU Presidencies Estonia: July – December 2017
An inclusive and sustainable Europe supports equal opportunities for high quality education, employment, access to services and development of skills. A sustainable Europe cares about and is committed to achieving a cleaner environment. For this purpose, we will focus on:
modernising rules in order to promote labour mobility and free movement of persons
ensuring equal opportunities in the labour market and social inclusion
securing a more sustainable environment.

6. WRITTEN DECLARATION ON ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND CHRONIC PAIN CONDITIONS
We call upon DG SANTE, DG EMPL, DG REGIO and DG-ECFIN to collaborate on developing, consolidating and consistently implementing EU legislation which will ensure equal access to employment for those affected by neurological disorders and chronic pain conditions.
Best-practices to retain and reintegrate people with chronic conditions are widespread. The Commission and Member States are called upon to work, with their social partners, to clarify patients’ rights, highlight successful workplace adjustments and reintegration actions – e.g. flexible working hours – and to promote subsidies for such actions through the European Social Fund;
Integrating people with these chronic conditions in employment is socio-economically beneficial. The Commission is called upon to use the EU Semester’s country-specific recommendations to encourage Members States to implement cost-effective retention, reintegration and rehabilitation actions.
The Commission and Council are called upon to encourage Member States to acknowledge that accurate early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and management are necessary to enable employees affected by these chronic conditions to avail of equitable employment opportunities

7. What were the benefits?
The Written Declaration provided many opportunities for working with EFNA and PAE members and developing our very active advocacy role within the European Parliament.
Almost 180 MEPs signed the Declaration
Opportunity for bi-lateral meetings with many MEPs, including:
Vice Chair of the Employment Committee
Vice Chair of the Environment & Health Committee
Vice Chair of the Women’s committee
Co-ordinators of the Employment and Health Committee

8. What were the benefits? The Written Declaration also allowed us to:
Develop and share comprehensive contact database for all MEPs – by country
Create, translate and distribute promotional materials both on and offline, including via social media – which could be customised by our members
Opportunities for our members to door-knock and pigeon-hole MEPs and assistants – many got involved voluntarily and were more immersed in European advocacy work
Ongoing updating on and associated social media channels
Optimising MEP Interest Group resources, channels and networks for meetings, generating content, promoting our work, advancing policy actions, etc.
Platform for better engagement between EFNA, PAE and our members – as well as with other organisations working in the field on similar topics

9. What happens next?
Written Declaration is renamed as Call to Action: #MakeWorkWork
MEP Interest Group will continue to pursue the asks listed
Members, supporters and partners are invited to incorporate the asks into their work – as there is already large support for these
Content of Written Declaration used to inform EFNA and PAE responses to consultations e.g. European Social Pillar
Continue to link in with other organisations who share your goals

10. Contact: euaffairs@efna.net www.brainmindpain.eu