WHO is committed to serving all countries, territories and areas. Through the European Programme of Work (EPW), WHO/Europe has sought to become more accountable and responsive to country needs. As the Region and the world face many complex issues affecting health – the climate emergency, threat of antimicrobial resistance, health security issues, epidemics, war and conflict, noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions, digitalization and demographic shifts – WHO has a unique role, in partnership with countries, to safeguard and advance public health.

The WHO European Region comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Delivering impact in every country is the guiding principle to enhance WHO/Europe’s collaboration with Member States. Countries acknowledge the Organization’s long-standing work in translating global norms and standards to national contexts, guiding policy and public health measures, providing operational support to health ministries, networking and facilitating outreach across sectors, and supporting health advocacy and communications.

Yet they also identify opportunities to enhance collaboration through more active dialogue, incorporating medium-term strategic perspectives and insights into planning processes, improving institutional exchange and learning, and leveraging regional resources such as WHO’s network of collaborating centres and other partners.

“Delivering United Action for Better Health – a strategy for collaboration between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Member States in the WHO European Region” (Country Strategy) was approved by Member States at the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

This strategy guides WHO’s work with and in countries and outlines both long-standing and new ways to collaborate, offering a range of opportunities for Member States with and without country offices.

Innovations in the Country Strategy include:

• establishing country support teams: providing short-term response teams on specific public health issues at the request of Member States;
• creating a network of national counterparts: serving as a unique forum for exchanges between Member States and the WHO Regional Office; and
• designating dedicated focal points: assigning a specific WHO focal point for each Member State.

Country impact stories

This series of country impact stories provides examples of how WHO/Europe collaborates with national authorities and partners to tackle a range of public health issues, and the impact of these activities. Each story, co-created with people directly involved, outlines lessons learned and showcases how both new and traditional ways of collaborating are advancing the EPW, and delivering health impact in the 53 Member States in the WHO European Region.