European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has asked the European Commission to explain why it did not inform in a timely and transparent way the civil society organisations concerned about the effect budget cuts would have on an EU funding programme in the health sector.

Various NGOs in the health sector had signed Framework Partnership Agreements (FPAs) with the Commission under the EU4Health programme in 2024, expecting the Commission to publish calls for operating grants for 2025.

Following the revision of the EU long-term budget 2021-2027 decided by the Council with budgetary cuts affecting the programme, the Commission decided not to publish any calls but failed to inform the organisations who had signed FPAs. The complainant as well as other affected NGOs contacted the Commission several times in 2024 and 2025 seeking clarification but said they did not receive an answer. Following the intervention of the Ombudswoman, the Commission replied to the complainant’s concerns.

Based on the Commission’s reply, the Ombudswoman noted that, while the Commission was not obliged to publish calls in 2025 for operating grants even if FPAs existed, it still has a duty to communicate in a timely and transparent way with stakeholders on decisions that directly affect them. She stressed that failing to do so is not in line with the principles of good administration.

The Ombudswoman emphasised that if the Commission had kept the NGOs informed of relevant developments in a timely manner, they could have planned their activities accordingly and made informed decisions on how to manage their budget.

The Ombudswoman also pointed out that that the budgetary cuts affecting the EU4Health programme were known to the Commission as early as December 2023. Despite this, the Commission signed FPAs with the NGOs in October 2024, without giving any indication as to whether cuts to the programme could affect the provision of grants. In addition, FPA holders were requested to amend their agreements in line with new institutional guidance in April 2025, again with no mention of how operating grants may be affected.

The Ombudswoman asked the Commission to provide a written reply to her assessment of the issue by 15 May 2026.