C-EHRN Advisory Committee Elections 2024 | Announcement Update

Announcement
Application open to organisational and individual members of Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network

In March 2024, C-EHRN will organise Advisory Committee (AC) elections. As per normal practice outlined in the Terms of Reference [ToR], four of the current Advisory Committee members will rotate and five will remain. This means that for this election, we are looking to fill four positions.

The AC should represent the diversity of its network members and be balanced in terms of geographical coverage, skills, expertise and background. Candidates apply for an AC seat in their individual capacity; they must be a C-EHRN member or belong to one of the organisational members of the Network.  Supporting members are not eligible to apply for the AC, or vote in the elections.

The deadline for candidate submission is 22 March 2024. This means that all applications and related supporting documents should be submitted until then.

What is the Advisory Committee?

 

The Advisory Committee (AC) is one of the most important governing bodies of C-EHRN. The major goal of the AC is to facilitate the fulfilment of the Network’s mission by developing and supporting policies, strategies and operational implementations. In a nutshell, the tasks of the AC involve:

1. To initiate the discussion on specific issues, related to activities and/or critical issues.
2.  To represent the Network at European, regional and national meetings and conferences, including the interaction with multilateral organisations and political bodies.
3.  To advocate and negotiate on behalf of the Network interests in the various working fields on European, regional, national and local level.
4.  To develop, implement, monitor and evaluate future plans, priorities, projects and activities of the network in consolation with various stakeholders in Europe.
5.  To review and decide upon the planning and execution of annual action plans.
6.  To provide technical guidance on the Network priority areas in relation to their specific field of experience.

Who is currently a Member of the Advisory Committee?

After this rotation, Tony Duffin (Chair), Perrine Roux, Daan Van Der Gouwe, Christos Anastasiou and Tuukka Tammi remain as Members of the AC.

Marianella Kloka, Alina Bocai, Péter Sarosi and Róisín  Downes will rotate out of the AC. C-EHRN would like to express its gratitude to these Members for all their commitment, contributions, support and passion for the Network in the past years.

Interesting! But… am I eligible to apply?

All organisational and individual C-EHRN Members can stand for elections.

To ensure a balanced and diverse composition amongst our Advisory Committee, in terms of background, geographical coverage, experience and expertise, we strongly encourage proposals from candidates with the following profile:

  • Based in the South Eastern European region

  • Experience in media, communication and advocacy

  • Youth and young adults [under 30 years old] working in the field of drug policy and harm reduction

  • Experience in drug-checking, safer nightlife and  recreational drug use

  • People of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics; people living with HIV; or sex workers.

Equally, C-EHRN strongly encourages proposals of candidates across all the spectrums of lived experience of drug use, gender, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, involvement in sex work, homelessness, ethnic origin, age, physical or neural ability, migratory background, religious belief or responsibility for dependants.

Sounds like a good fit! How do I apply?

Applications are open from now until Friday 22 March 2024. To apply, you are required to complete THIS Google form application (click the link) where you must upload the form of consent. If you have any questions or issues regarding the form please contact Stefanie Kolle at administration.co@correlation-net.org

Please read the full Terms of Reference for the AC  for more detailed information.

“Whats the timeline?”

The timeline for the elections is as follows:

  • Deadline for applications Friday 22nd March 2024
  • Publication of the list of AC candidates and launch of the election process: Tuesday 2nd April 2024
  • Voting: 2nd-12th April
  • Announcement of results Friday 12th April 2024

If you have a question, please drop the C-EHRN office an email at administration.co@correlation-net.org

We look forward to your submissions!

Communication Internship Opportunity at Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network

We are looking for a Communications Intern for at least 2 days a week, who wants to go the extra mile to make social, health and harm reduction services available for marginalised and underserved communities.

Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network is a European civil society network and centre of expertise in the field of drug use, harm reduction and social inclusion, bringing together more than 280 community-based and community-led organizations in Europe. We are hosted by De Regenboog Groep – a low-threshold service provider based in Amsterdam.

At the C-EHRN Secretariat, we are a small and international team working from our office in Amsterdam.

As our Communication Intern, you will be responsible for supporting our communications officer in planning and creating engaging and informative content to promote our network activities, projects and results. You are ambitious, fluent in English and have excellent communication and time management skills.

 

This internship will involve engaging in a variety of tasks, including:

This internship suits you if you:

We offer you:

How to apply?

You read the details and find it a good fit? Send your CV & short motivation letter to communication@correlation-net.org by the 17th of March!

You can contact Hanna Szabó in case you have any questions: hszabo@correlation-net.org

We are an inclusive organisation, and we welcome all applications. We want our workforce to be truly representative of the communities we serve.

 

 

More about C-EHRN

Visit our website: www.correlation-net.org

Our vision
C-EHRN envisions a future where Europe embodies a compassionate and equitable society where people who use drugs and other communities disproportionately affected by stigma, discrimination, and harmful (drug) policies have universal access to sustainable high-quality health and social care. We conceive an inclusive and respectful environment where social justice principles guide policies, and individuals and communities affected by harmful drug policies find empowerment and dignity.

Our mission
C-EHRN’s mission is to create spaces for dialogue and action to reduce social and health inequalities and promote social justice in Europe. Bringing together the harm reduction movement in Europe, C-EHRN serves as an agent of change by promoting and supporting rights-based and evidence-informed policies, services and practices that improve the health and well-being of people who use drugs, and other communities disproportionately affected by stigma, discrimination, health inequalities and harmful (drug) policies.

Call for Images for the Poster of the 2024 European Harm Reduction Conference

Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network is in the process of creating the poster for the European Harm Reduction Conference 2024 in Warsaw!

Our vision is that of a dynamic collage that captures the essence of the Polish Harm Reduction movement. We are looking for visuals to include as part of the collage, which could be images, photos, and artworks that are related to iconic moments or key themes in Harm Reduction efforts in Poland. Of course, all contributing artists featured in the final poster collage will be credited for their works. The poster will be developed following the same, collage-like style of the save-the-date banner that you can see above.

Do you want to submit an image, or suggestions on must-have elements, symbols, or references for the poster? You can do so through this form!

If you know people who might be interested in contributing to this initiative, feel free to forward this initiative to them – we would greatly appreciate it! Any thoughts on must-have elements, symbols, or references for the poster? Your suggestions would be super helpful!

For any questions, or if you wish to submit your images/ideas through e-mail, you can contact arogialli@correlation-net.org

Roundup Webinar | Civil Society-led Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe

To celebrate the core publications for the C-EHRN Civil Society-led Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe, we invite you to join the roundup webinar on the 7th of March, 1:00 PM (CET)!

 
The event will bring together four recently published volumes of the 2023 Data Report:
 
During the interactive webinar, the primary authors of each publication will join  Rafaela Rigoni, C-EHRN’s Head of Research, to debate positive developments and the main advocacy asks arising from the reports’ conclusions. We’ll invite participants to interact via a Q&A session.
 
Moderator:
Rafaela Rigoni (C-EHRN)
 
Speakers:
Iga Jeziorska (C-EHRN) –  Essential Harm Reduction Services
Tuukka Tammi (THL) –  Eliminating Hepatitis C in Europe
Daan van der Gouwe (Trimbos) – New Drug Trends
Guy Jones (TEDI) – Drug Checking Observations and European Drug Checking Trends via TEDI

To join the webinar, register by the 6th of March on this link!

 

Following a new format, Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network’s Civil Society-led Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe 2023 Data Report is launched in 6 volumes: Hepatitis C Care, Essential Harm Reduction Services, New Drug Trends, Mental Health of Harm Reduction Staff, TEDI Reports and City Reports (Warsaw, Bălţi, Esch-sur-Alzette, London, Amsterdam). The Executive Summary can be accessed here.

Collaborative Steps: Crafting a Joint European Advocacy Strategy for Improved HIV, HCV and TB Services for People Who Use Drugs

On 30 and 31 January 2024, partners of Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network and the BOOST Project met in Amsterdam to discuss the development of a European advocacy strategy to ensure access to comprehensive HIV, HCV and TB services for people who use drugs in Europe.

The development of a Joint European Advocacy Strategy is unique as it will be supported and implemented by 4 European Networks, including Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN), the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), the European Network of People Who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD) and Drug Policy Network South East Europe (DPNSEE) and is based on a broad European consultation of nearly 100 experts and members of the different networks.

4-5 Advocacy Priorities and related Advocacy Objectives are identified during the Amsterdam meeting, covering the forthcoming 5 years (2024-2028). The final Strategy is expected to be launched and published in March 2024 and will be implemented with the support of a broader network of European harm reduction and drug policy organisations.

The Amsterdam meeting is part of a greater trajectory of the advocacy activities in the multi-annual BOOST Project. The results will feed into follow-up activities, including the organisation of Policy Webinars, a European Policy Dialogue Meeting during the European Harm Reduction Conference 2024 and the preparation of a series of Policy Papers.

In February, the networks will launch a call for local harm reduction services to support the development and implementation of Local Advocacy Plans in 6 countries/cities.

 

The Amsterdam meeting was co-organised by C-EHRN (coordinator of the BOOST Project) and EHRA, in close cooperation with EuroNPUD and DPNSEE.

The ENDCR has elected its Core Group!

The European Network of Drug Consumption Rooms [ENDCR] has elected the members of its Core Group! The Core Group comprises the Chairs of the different Work Groups, and its role is to strengthen the overall Network’s policy, strategic planning and activities.

Currently, the ENDCR counts the following Work Groups:

Five organisations that demonstrated outstanding qualifications, experiences and dedication were elected as members of the Core Group, to which they will all contribute. These are:

Ares do Pinhal | Portugal

Currently, Ares do Pinhal manage several harm reduction projects. These include a drug consumption room, access to screenings for communicable diseases, basic hygiene services, psychosocial support, wider healthcare, and a low-threshold methadone outpatient program. Additionally, they operate an emergency shelter.

Associació Benestar i Desenvolupament (ABD) | Spain

The ABD Group strives to defend people’s rights and personal autonomy in situations of social vulnerability, supporting them through different moments of their vital trajectories and taking action within their communities to promote social coexistence. Among other harm reduction projects, the ABD Group hosts Sala Baluard, a Drug Consumption Room in Barcelona.

Association Gaïa Paris | France

Gaïa Paris is an association that aims to improve the health of people who use drugs in Paris through services such as needle distribution, opioid agonist treatment, a drug consumption room, a mobile awareness and screening service for communicable diseases and liver fibrosis, and an integration programme.

CNDS Abrigado | Luxembourg

Abrigado is an organisation offering low-threshold health and social support to people who use drugs in Luxembourg. Their services include a drug consumption room, needle exchange programs, day centres, healthcare services, and emergency shelters.

Prindsen Reception Centre | Norway

The Prindsen Reception Centre is a low-threshold health and social care service that aims to prevent harm and offer support based on individual needs to people who use drugs. The centre hosts a drug consumption room and provides counselling, sterile harm reduction equipment, and other healthcare and support services.

The next steps include the organisation of the first meeting of the newly established Core Group, in which the responsibilities of WG Chairs will be distributed among the elected organisations.

[The European Network of Drug Consumption Rooms [ENDCR] is a membership-based civil society platform uniting organisations operating or planning to implement a Drug Consumption Room [DCR] in Europe. Its goal is to enhance the availability, accessibility and quality of these services. Hosted and coordinated by Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network [C-EHRN], the ENDCR is governed by a Core Group and channels its activities through various thematic Work Groups.]

Joint Report on Drug Consumption Rooms in Europe

The EMCDDA and Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) have published today the latest overview on the situation of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) in Europe. The purpose of the report is to encourage evidence-based discussions around DCRs and the implementation of varied DCR models in Europe.

DCRs are a fundamental health and social response that fosters the well-being of people who use drugs by providing hygienic and safer spaces where to use substances in the presence of trained social workers and/or healthcare professionals. DCRs are usually located in areas where there is an open drug scene and where injecting in public places is common. The primary target group for DCR services are people who engage in drug use patterns that can result in dangerous health outcomes.

According to the report, in 2022, over 100 DCRs were operating globally, with services in several countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Spain, as well as in Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Primarily, DCRs aim to prevent drug-related overdose deaths, reduce the risks of disease transmission through the use of unhygienic supplies and/or their sharing, and connect people who use drugs with support, health and social services. Besides this, they can also aim to minimise public nuisance.

In the report, two main operational models of DCRs in Europe are described: integrated DCRs, operating within low-threshold facilities, where the supervision of drug use is just one of the services offered, and specialised DCRs, offering a narrower range of services directly related to supervised consumption.

As frontline, low-threshold services, DCRs can support the monitoring of new and emerging local trends. For example, it has been found that in Europe, injecting heroin is less common in recent years, while the use of synthetic opioids and stimulants has increased in some countries. Over the years, following a dynamic drug landscape, many harm reduction services, including DCRs, have adapted to the needs of local clients. For example, some DCRs have started providing services for smoking as well as injecting and allowing the consumption of a wider range of substances within the facility.

DCR evaluation presents specific challenges, but currently available evidence supports the positive impact of DCRs on the access to healthcare and harm reduction services among people who use drugs, and especially groups that are not reached enough by these services. DCRs do not increase crime in the areas where they are located and, instead, contribute to a decrease in public drug use. Evidence also shows how DCRs contribute to reducing drug-related deaths.

In addition, an expert panel recently concluded that DCRs foster safer injecting practices and therefore can contribute to reducing the transmission rate of communicable diseases among people who inject drugs.

Among other measures to reduce cases of fatal and non-fatal overdose, the EU Drugs Action Plan 2021–2025 calls for DCRs to be introduced, maintained or enhanced ‘where appropriate and in accordance with national legislation’.
The report concludes that, despite the challenges encountered in conducting research in this setting, more studies are needed to support the work of DCRs by showing their contributions to reducing both individual and community harms.

Read the joint EMCDDA and C-EHRN Report on DCRs in Europe here.
Read the EMCDDA Report Release here.

 

Highlights from our recent DCR Training in Brno, Czech Republic

Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network [C-EHRN] and the ENDCR [European Network of Drug Consumption Rooms] organised a drug consumption room (DCR) training in collaboration with the local organisation Podané Ruce, which recently opened a mobile DCR based in Brno (in September 2023). Roberto Perez Gayo, Head of Policy at C-EHRN, and Arianna Rogialli, Project and Policy Support Officer, visited Brno on the 30th of November and 1st of December 2023 to deliver the training program to the local organisation.

The DCR is currently open for injection only and allows for one person at a time (although this could be expanded to 2 or 3 injection spots in the future). DCR staff comprises two social workers. Podané Ruce has also been running an outreach needle distribution program in the same area for several years.

The DCR Trainings are a series of trainings designed and implemented by C-EHRN and the ENDCR which aims to assist organisations that have recently opened or plan to open a DCR. The training provides drug, harm reduction and other social & health-related professionals with resources and guidance for the implementation and operation of the first DCRs in their local context. Brno is the second location where DCR trainings are taking place, the first was Ljubljana in September 2023 [read about the training in Ljubljana here].

The training equipped its participants with tools and insights to contribute to the effective planning, establishment and operation of the mobile DCR in Brno. Building on a needs assessment consultation, the program focused on the topics and areas that are the most relevant to participants. Throughout the training, participants were introduced to different DCR models and approaches, with a focus on mobile DCRs, discussed case studies and best practices, and took part in collaborative exercises aimed at adapting service development to the needs of clients by defining user journey maps, needs and points of contact. Special attention was given to identifying strategies for the DCR to reach the local Roma community successfully. Moreover, the training included sessions aimed at supporting the DCR’s operational logistics, identifying suitable staffing and workforce models and establishing protocols.

The recent DCR training in Brno was a step towards empowering organizations in operating (mobile) DCRs. This initiative is a reflection of C-EHRN and the ENDCR’s ongoing commitment to support the implementation of DCRs, promote harm reduction, and enhance the overall well-being of local communities.

 

 

Expert & Member Meeting 2023

In December, Budapest gave place to C-EHRN’s Expert & Member Meeting, with more than 130 professionals gathering to discuss the key activities of the network!

To find out more about the event and C-EHRN’s key activities, watch the inspiring video by the Rights Reporter Foundation, and look at the summary of the event below.

On Monday the 4th, our focal points discussed the civil society monitoring of harm reduction in Europe process, ways to use the C-EHRN Monitoring data for advocacy purposes and getting familiar with a new data collection and visualisation tool for the C-EHRN monitoring activities. In the meantime, the partners of the Drug-Prep Project had insightful discussions on foresight research and other project activities.

 

A press conference also took place, introducing drug consumption rooms, drug checking in Europe and the example of Portugal’s health-based drug policy approach, sharing the message that “not only the richest countries in the world can implement efficient drug policies based on decriminalisation” (Marta Pinto, University of Porto). As a result, the conference gained coverage in RTL, one of Hungary’s most popular commercial TVs.

At the end of the day, some meeting participants visited Válaszút Misszió Drogkonzultációs Iroda, learning about their services and the Hungarian context.

Tuesday began with C-EHRN’s director, Katrin Schiffer, opening the official programme for all participants of the event, also introducing C-EHRN’s new visual identity which we launched with the event! During the plenary sessions, we discussed various topics including drug policy and harm reduction in Hungary, civil society monitoring and data collection, and some of the network’s main activities, including research on harm reduction in prison and harm reduction and gender.

Throughout the afternoon’s parallel sessions, we also talked about infectious diseases in community-based settings in the context of the BOOST project, while a migration workshop took place through the SEMID-EU project, and those interested could find out about the application of foresight research in the context of the drugs field (Drug-Prep project). In the following sessions, the civil society involvement case studies conducted in 4 European countries were discussed, while we also spoke about drug consumption rooms and mental health.

Wednesday’s parallel sessions gave space for an engaging conversation about C-EHRN’s strategy for 2024-2028, while drug checking and the state of harm reduction in five European cities (Amsterdam, Bălţi, London, Esch-sur-Alzette and Warsaw) were also discussed.

The Semid-EU plenary delved into the needs and (harm reduction) service access of marginalised migrants who use drugs in the EU, after which we reflected on the outcomes of the time spent together at the member & expert meeting.

To capture the event, we bring you a collection of images below.

Follow some of the sessions of our 2023 Expert & Member Meeting online!

We are happy to announce that during our 2023 Expert & Member Meeting, some of the sessions on Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th of December will be streamed online!

Follow the plenary sessions on Tuesday!
Follow the Civil Society Involvement & Advocacy workshop on Tuesday!
Follow the plenary sessions on Wednesday!
 
 

The plenary sessions on Tuesday the 5th of December can be followed via this link. The streamed plenary sessions are the following:

  • 9.30-9.50 Welcome & Opening
    Moderator: Tony Duffin (Ana Liffey Drug Project)
    Speakers: Gabor Kerpel-Fronius; Deputy Mayor of Budapest & Katrin Schiffer, C-EHRN Director
    This session will include welcome words and an introduction to C-EHRN activities and results.
  • 9.50-10.10 Keynote Speech – Drug Policy and HR in Hungary
    Moderator: Tony Duffin (Ana Liffey Drug Project)
    Speaker: Péter Sárosi (Rights Reporter Foundation)
    Harm reductionists face different political and cultural realities in different geographical regions of Europe. In some countries in the West the question today is mainstreaming and innovation. But in other countries, mostly in the East, even basic harm reduction programs are confronted with a more existential question: that of mere survival. There is a growing populism and shrinking space for civil society. On top of this, the drug scene is changing and constantly challenges us to find new methods, to reach out to new groups and to redefine what harm reduction means. The keynote speech will address the challenges and highlight some opportunities ahead of the harm reduction movement in Europe.
  • 10.10-11.00 Policy Dialogue
    Moderator: Tony Duffin (Ana Liffey Drug Project)
    Panel Members: Ákos Topolánszky (European Social and Economic Committee / Hungarian Federation of the Drug Therapy Institutions), Róbert Csák (Hungarian Association on Addiction), Anna Tarján, Péter Sárosi (Rights Reporter Foundation)
    According to its last national drug strategy, Hungary was supposed to become “drug-free” by 2020. Despite this ambitious goal, the government failed to eliminate drug use – it only succeeded in nearly eliminating funding for treatment and harm reduction programs. Several key programs had to close down and the philosophy and practice of harm reduction became a taboo. Panellists in the policy dialogue will outline the current drug policy situation in Hungary, address the ethical dilemmas of civil society in a hostile political climate and present some survival strategies.
  • 11.00-11.30 Break
  • 11.30-12.20 Civil Society Monitoring & Data Collection
    Moderator: Rafaela Rigoni (C-EHRN)
    Speakers: Iga Jeziorska (C-EHRN) – Harm Reduction Essential Services, Tuukka Tammi (THL) – Hepatitis C, Daan van der Gouwe (Trimbos)- New Drug Trends, Guy Jones (TEDI) – New Drug Trends via TEDI, Laoise Darragh (C-EHRN) – Mental Health, Rafaela Rigoni (C-EHRN) – City Reports
    The session will briefly present the different publications for the C-EHRN Civil Society-led Monitoring in Europe 2023. These focus on 1) The state of implementation of harm reduction essential services in the cities covered by C-EHRN Focal Points, 2) The state of implementation of the continuum of care for Hepatitis C for people who use drugs in the same cities, 3) New Drug Trends captured by harm reduction providers and trends captured by drug checking services members of the TEDI network, 4) Mental Health of harm reduction staff, and 5) Emergent issues and harm reduction innovations in five European cities. Short presentations focusing on key messages will be provided by the authors, followed by a Q&A session.
  • 12.20-13.10 C-EHRN activities: Civil Society Involvement Case Studies, Harm Reduction in Prison, Advocacy, Drug Consumption Rooms, Harm Reduction and Gender
    Moderator: Tony Duffin (Ana Liffey Drug Project)
    Speakers: Péter Sárosi (Rights Reporter Foundation), Graham Shaw (Consultant), Beatrix Vas (UNITE), Roberto Perez Gayo (C-EHRN)
    This session will highlight different C-EHRN activities, which were carried out in 2023. Short presentations will be provided by C-EHRN experts, followed by a Q&A session.

You can also follow one of the parallel sessions on Tuesday via this link:

  • 16.00-17.30 Civil Society Involvement & Advocacy workshop
    Moderator: Péter Sárosi (Rights Reporter Foundation)
    This session will focus on the meaningful involvement of civil society in the field of drug policy. We will present the findings of a qualitative research, carried out by C-EHRN in 2023. The study consisted of focus group discussions, both with decision-makers and civil society representatives in four countries, including Finland, Ireland, Hungary and Greece. After the presentation of the findings, we will discuss the potential impact and follow-up activities.

The plenary sessions on Wednesday the 6th of December can be followed via this link. The streamed plenary sessions are the following:

  • 11.30-12.30 Migration and Drug Use SEMID- EU
    Moderator:     Machteld Busz (Mainline)
    The SEMID-EU project focuses on marginalised migrants who use drugs in the EU. The aim of the project is to see into the needs and (harm reduction) service access of various groups with a migration background. During this plenary, we will present the results from a literature research and Delphi round, from a community-led participatory research (100 interviews + focus groups across the cities of Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin and Paris) and a series of policy documents and fact sheets. A panel will discuss the implications of the project and will look for opportunities to improve the health and rights of migrants who use drugs in the EU.
  •  12.30-13.00 Plenary Session Closing
    Moderators: Tony Duffin (Ana Liffey Drug Project)
    Speakers: Katrin Schiffer (C-EHRN), Péter Sárosi (Rights Reporter Foundation) & Marta Pinto (University of Porto)
    This session will summarise and wrap up the outcomes of the Member and Expert Meeting 2023.