From 25 to 27 March 2025, Brussels became the heart of Fertility Europe’s vibrant community during our annual Spring Meeting – we hosted over 40 delegates from European patient associations! It was a fantastic opportunity to come together in person, reconnect, and spark meaningful conversations around this year’s central theme: Fertility Education and Public Information.
The meeting brought together delegates from across Europe to exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another. With a special focus on the FActs! project and advocacy activities at national and European levels, this year’s event was both inspiring and action-oriented.
Learning from our special guests
We were honoured to welcome our invited speakers, whose expertise shed light on pivotal undertakings within the field of advocacy. Marina Davidashvili of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights in her presentation titled “Advocacy at the national level. Lessons learned” and Yann Heyer of the European Patients’ Forum presenting on “Advocating at EU level” offered insightful strategies, practical tools, and effective approaches to improve public engagement and awareness and improve the probability of achieving desired outcomes. Their contributions helped reinforce the power of informed advocacy and we want to say a massive thank you to Marina and Yann for sharing their invaluable knowledge with our community.
“Fertility Awareness Matters” – FActs! Event at the European Parliament
A true highlight of the meeting was the FActs! event held at the European Parliament. All delegates attended and gained a deeper understanding of the project and its impactful outcomes. Energised by what we learned, we are now more eager than ever to bring FActs! to our home countries and continue spreading knowledge and awareness. Read more about this important event HERE.
What does the future bring?
Throughout the meeting, we also focused on the future – discussing upcoming initiatives, events, and advocacy plans for the year ahead. We heard inspiring updates from our members, explored exciting new ideas, and welcomed potential new members into our growing network. It’s truly rewarding to witness the steady growth of Fertility Europe!
The power of informal networking
Of course, we also took time to enjoy ourselves and soak in the beauty of Brussels. A fun and informative walking tour gave everyone – newcomers and seasoned visitors alike – a chance to explore the city’s history and charm. The joint dinner that followed, allowed us to continue our conversations in a relaxed, informal setting, further deepening our connections.
New energy came to town!
While the agenda was packed and the pace was brisk, the meeting was also deeply productive. We left Brussels with renewed energy, a head full of ideas, and strengthened bonds with one another. As always, nothing beats some good old-fashioned brainstorming to ignite creativity and drive!
All in all, the Spring Meeting 2025 was a resounding success – a perfect blend of collaboration, learning, planning, and friendship. We are excited about what lies ahead and can’t wait to keep the momentum going!
We already look forward to seeing all of you again. Till then!
A special thank you goes to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology for your ongoing support and for making all this possible!