De Regenboog Groep

EU Legislative Interests

C-EHRN plays a critical role in amplifying the voice of civil society, advocating for their meaningful participation in policymaking processes at local, national, and European levels, particularly in the social and health fields. The network has a proven track record in shaping and advancing EU policies by promoting a human rights and evidence-based harm reduction approach at high-level meetings with relevant policy and decision-makers. C-EHRN mission, objectives and activities are in line with, support and contribute to general EU interests, policies, objectives and values. These include promoting values and well-being of EU citizens; combatting social exclusion and discrimination; promoting social justice and protecting equality between women, men, and non-binary persons; contributing to solidarity and mutual respect among peoples; eradication of poverty; protection of human rights; respecting and protecting human dignity as a fundamental right, ensuring equal rights for all citizens and respecting the rule of law. C-EHRN is committed to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, including the right to life and health, to be free from discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of personal data, and the right to get access to justice. C-EHRN is active in different areas EU policies and areas: Human rights C-EHRN is committed to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These cover the right to be free from discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of personal data, and the right to get access to justice. EU Drug Policy C-EHRN activities refer and link to EU Drug Policy and the Drug Strategy (2021-2025), which promotes an evidence-based, integrated, balanced and multidisciplinary approach to the drugs phenomenon at national, EU and international level. C-EHRN promotes the core principles and priorities of the EU Drug Strategy through different network, monitoring, capacity building and advocacy activities at local, national and European level. FRG/C-EHRN is an active member of the Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSFD) and has been chairing the expert group from 2022 till 2024. EU Health Policy C-EHRN activities contributes actively to the EU4Health programme, in particular in the area of disease prevention and health promotion, by addressing drug-related harms, prevention, treatment and care of communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health and the negative impact of stigma, discrimination and health inequalities. The organisation received an Operating Grant as part of the EU4Health Programme (from 2018-2024) and coordinates / particpates in different EU Projects, such as https://community-boost.eu/ ; and www.aidsactioneurope.org/en/news/core-%E2%80%93-community-response-end-inequalities; https://www.hepatitis-c-initiative.eu/ Furthermore, C-EHRN is a member of the EU Civil Society Forum on HIV/Aids, TB and viral hepatitis. Citizens Rights and Equality C-EHRN aims at strengthening the capacity of the network and its members to protect and promote the rights of people who use drugs and other marginalised communities in Europe. The intersection of drug use, health, gender and social inequalities is often compounded by poor health outcomes, poverty, and unemployment. Advancing the right to life and health for people who use drugs, as well as for other marginalized communities, requires fostering their leadership and ensuring their active participation in service delivery, policymaking, and governance. Relevant other EU policy areas, addressed by C-EHRN: Gender Equality Strategy, European Democracy Action Plan and Defence of Democracy Package, EU Citizens Package, LGTBQI Equality Strategy and the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan.

Communication Activities

Communication and dissemination are critical elements of the network's activities, as they contribute to the visibility of the network and the impact of its activities. Communication is also instrumental to bringing harm reduction communities together, establishing a dialogue with different actors in society and shape the public views and political discourses on drug use and people who use drugs. Recent digital developments have radically transformed how we communicate. Communication channels include: - The updated C-EHRN website –launched in early 2024 - promoting relevant network activities, projects and results - outreach 4.500 individuals) - Monthly Newsletter informing about relevant developments in the field, including network projects, activities, results and events -outreach 2.500 individuals - Digital and social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram. - outreach 5000 individuals - Commmunication through dedicated distribution lists, email groups and online platforms to support regular exchange and coordination between the network members - Audio-visual communication, including videos, podcasts and webinars - Conferences, seminars, training, expert meetings, and thematic consultations offer C-EHRN an opportunity to connect with key audiences. FRG C-EHRN has been coordinating and organising different communication activities, related to EU Policies: - Publications, including annual Monitoring Reports, Research Reports, Scientific Publications, Guidance Documents, Toolboxes, Good Practice Collections and policy recommendations. See online Resource Centre: https://correlation-net.org/resources/ - Events, including conferences (www.harmreductionconference.eu); training and capacity building (e.g. https://correlation-net.org/2024/09/11/advocacy-workshop-in-budapest-strengthening-civil-societys-role-in-drug-policy/); policy dialogue meetings (e.g. https://correlation-net.org/2024/03/13/join-the-side-events-at-the-67th-session-of-the-united-nations-commission-on-narcotic-drugs/). - Advocacy events, including policy and decision makers: e.g. https://correlation-net.org/2024/05/03/launch-of-the-2024-manifesto-for-a-progressive-eu-drug-policy/ - Presentations during conferences and meetings: e.g. https://correlation-net.org/2024/10/31/correlation-at-lisbon-addictions-2024-insights-contributions-and-local-connections/

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

Membership and participation to Civil Society Bodies and Networks: - EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs - UNODC Civil Society Group on Drug Use and HIV - Member of the Vienna NGO Committee - Participatory Status of the Council of Europe - International Drug Policy Consortium European Federation of Associations working for the Homeless (FEANTSA) Close collaboration with European agencies Over the years, C-EHRN has become the leading European centre of expertise in the field of drug policy and harm reduction and cooperates closely with different European and international agencies, including: European Union Drug Agency (EUDA) C-EHRN and the EUDA have a long history of cooperation. In recent years, level and quality of cooperation have significantly increased. While EUDA collects national data through their Reitox Network, consisting of designated national institutions or agencies, C-EHRN collects city-based data through their civil society based Focal Points. C-EHRN coordinates the European Network of Drug Consumption Rooms (ENDCR), which offers additional opportunities for cooperation, data collection and the development of joint activities. This includes for example the organisation of annual Technical DCR Meetings in cooperation with the EUDA since 2022, the launch of a joint publication on Drug Consumption Rooms (https://correlation-net.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Drug-consumption-rooms_technical-report_final-1.pdf)and the organisation of joint workshop sessions during the Lisbon Addictions Conference and the INHSU Conference in 2024. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) C-EHRN participates in the European Hepatitis B & C Monitoring Advisory Group – under the lead of the ECDC – and contributes to expert discussions on data collection, indicators, and monitoring methodologies. C-EHRN participates in the Expert Panel on interventions to increase linkage to care and adherence to treatment for hepatitis B and C, HIV and tuberculosis among people who inject drugs C-EHRN was involved in the advisory group for the development of the ‘ECDC/EMCDDA guidance on the prevention and control of infectious diseases among people who inject drugs’ and is now involved as trainer in the ECDC online training for the implementation of the guidance. C-EHRN participated in the Advisory Group of the Hepatitis Stigma Watch, aiming to monitor stigma, discrimination and quality of life indicators and has the potential to truly move the needle regarding stigma and discrimination.   Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe C-EHRN holds participatory status with the Council of Europe Conference of INGOs and can provide input and feedback on specific areas of work and contribute to the work of intergovernmental committees in accordance with the terms of Committee of Ministers’ Resolution. In May 2023, C-EHRN co-organised the Third Symposium on Drug Consumption Rooms in Strasbourg in cooperation with the Pompidou Group. A follow-up event is planned for June 2025. C-EHRN participates in an Advisory Panel of the Pompidou Group to support and contribute to the development of an online course on ‘criminal justice. WHO C-EHRN organizes regular consultation calls with WHO Europe and participates in the Regional Collaborating Committee on Accelerated Response to Tuberculosis, HIV and Viral Hepatitis (RCC-THV). UNODC In 2023, C-EHRN has been granted ECOSOC Status. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution permits civil society participation in relevant UN events. This allows C-EHRN to become more actively engaged in international drug, health, social and human rights policies. C-EHRN utilizes the ECOSOC status and organises side events during the CND. Furthermore, the network cooperates closely with numerous drug policy and harm reduction networks and organisations in Europe. Cooperation agreements have been signed and increase impact and syn

Organisation Members

https://www.correlation-net.org/members/