Parkinson’s Europe Consortium Limited is a well-established, non-profit lobbying and advocacy organization focused on supporting and representing the interests of people with Parkinson’s disease across Europe. Founded in 1992 originally as the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA), it rebranded as Parkinson’s Europe in 2022 to reflect a refreshed strategic vision centered on improving the quality of life for over 1.2 million Europeans affected by Parkinson’s and their families. The organization operates as an umbrella body with broad membership spanning 36 countries and 28 European languages, providing a united voice across national boundaries.
The consortium’s core mission is to advocate for the rights, needs, and access to effective treatment for people with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Europe emphasizes the importance of timely and appropriate medical management and strives to raise awareness of Parkinson’s within European institutions and the public. The organization plays a key role in driving policy, research, and public awareness initiatives while fostering collaboration between various stakeholders including patient groups, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry partners.
Parkinson’s Europe is non-political, non-religious, and non-profit, operating from its main office in Orpington, Kent, UK, with a staff size between 11-50 employees. Its governance is transparent and accountable, with a Board overseeing operations and funded by a mix of membership fees, partnerships, donations, and grants. It adheres to codes of practice by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), ensuring ethical collaboration with pharmaceutical companies sharing the organization’s strategic direction.
The consortium engages actively in lobbying and networking at the EU level, emphasizing access to treatment, research funding, patient rights, and public health policy impacting Parkinson’s care. It convenes and participates in numerous meetings with European Commission officials, European Parliament members, and other key EU stakeholders to promote Parkinson’s-related issues and secure support for relevant legislation and funding.
Financially, Parkinson’s Europe reports annual expenditures and income transparently, with most funding directed toward advocacy, networking, research support, and community programs. Its lobbying budget is moderate and reflects its status as a non-profit organization focused on public-interest advocacy rather than commercial lobbying.
Over the years, Parkinson’s Europe has built extensive networks with affiliated organizations including national Parkinson’s associations, medical research institutions, patient advocacy groups, and public-private partnerships like the Innovative Medicines Initiative funded by the European Union and EFPIA. These collaborations enhance its influence and capacity to shape Parkinson’s-related policies and research agendas across Europe.
