Empowering Patient Advocates:
How WECAN Academy Is Shaping the Future of Advocacy in Europe
One more WECAN Academy training was completed, this year in Rome, Italy. Held from June 26 to 29, 2025 the 10th edition of the WECAN Academy brought together both aspiring and experienced advocates for four days of intensive training, collaboration, and inspiration.
With the key message “There is no shortcut to knowledge,” the WECAN Academy reflects a commitment to in-depth learning in the realm of patient advocacy.
Although the program lasted only a few days, it offered a learning experience rich with insights and opportunities to exchange ideas. The 2025 WECAN Academy included talks on health economics, drug development, stakeholder management, patient advocacy involvement in clinical trials, ethics in patient advocacy, reading scientific papers, financial sustainability, and many other topics.
Participants walked away not only with a deeper understanding of European health systems but also with concrete tools and strategies for making a true impact through patient advocacy. Among the participants were member organisations representatives and team members from CCI Europe, who brought valuable perspectives from the childhood cancer advocacy community and contributed to strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Academy is hosted annually by the Workgroup of European Cancer Patient Advocacy Networks (WECAN), a network of 24 dedicated cancer patient advocacy organisations across Europe. The Academy is designed to equip patient advocates with the skills, knowledge, and agency to drive meaningful change, in cancer and in healthcare more broadly.
As in past years, the 2025 edition featured two tailored learning tracks:
- SmartStart, which is designed for new or emerging advocates
- Masterclass, for experienced advocates to gain even more practical expertise
The training is structured around three core pillars:
- Advocacy tools and skills: including project management, NGO governance, and finances
- Healthcare systems, policy, and access: covering topics like regulatory processes, patients’ rights, and EU regulatory processes
- Research and data focusing on how to conduct studies and interpret scientific research
Looking ahead, preparations are already underway for the 2026 WECAN Academy, which promises to build on the success of the past decade. The next edition will continue to evolve in response to the changing healthcare landscape, with new modules, expert speakers, and expanded opportunities for peer learning. Dates and location for the 2026 Academy will be announced in the coming months.
As WECAN marks ten years of the Academy, the results are clear: a growing network of informed, empowered patient advocates ready to lead change, influence policy, and ensure that the patient voice is heard at every level of healthcare decision-making.
