C-EHRN and UNITE occupy distinct positions within the realm of drug and health policy. While C-EHRN fosters collaboration among civil society, harm reduction services, advocates, and community members, UNITE comprises elected officials and politicians dedicated to a human rights-centered approach to health.

The collaboration between these networks promises to enhance mutual understanding and awareness, amplifying the effectiveness and impact of advocacy efforts in health, harm reduction, and drug policies. By bringing together a diverse array of policymakers, practitioners, and advocates, this partnership facilitates the exchange of experiences, expertise, best practices, and lessons learnt, thus establishing a robust platform for advocacy.

The cooperation between C-EHRN and UNITE endeavours to prioritise harm reduction and the health of individuals who use drugs, aiming to elevate these issues on the public health agenda. Ultimately, this concerted effort seeks to advance the adoption of evidence-informed policies firmly grounded in human rights principles.

This report offers a summary of findings derived from a series of online consultations conducted among civil society and harm reduction experts. Additionally, it provides an overview of the sources and methodologies employed by C-EHRN and UNITE throughout these consultations. The central content of the report is based on discussions held during these consultations, supplemented by C-EHRN’s previous work in the thematic areas of communicable diseases, migration, and drug consumption rooms [DCRs].

Furthermore, we have included additional references and resources in the concluding section of the document to provide further insights into the subject matter from various perspectives.

Finally, the report presents recommendations for policy and practice aimed at supporting harm reduction advocacy in Europe, informed by the expertise of harm reduction specialists.