![](\"http:\/\/www.bio-sistemak.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HOPE4kIDS-Logo-2.jpg\" "\\"HOPE4kIDS-Logo-2\\""){kind=logo}
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ACRONYM:<\/strong> HOPE4Kids<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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FULL NAME:<\/strong> Holistic Oncological Palliative care 4 Europe’s Kids<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
CALL:<\/strong> EU4H-2024-JA-IBA-03<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
PROJECT NO.:<\/strong> 101233078<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
FUNDING BODY:<\/strong> European Health and Digital Executive Agency<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
TOTAL BUDGET:<\/strong> 14,999,931.58<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
FUNDING:<\/strong> 11,999,945.30<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
DURATION:<\/strong> 48 months (October 2025 \u2013 September 2029)<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>
PROJECT COORDINATION:<\/strong> PRINSES MAXIMA CENTRUM VOOR KINDERONCOLOGIE BV (Netherlands)<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/i>Description<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/i>Description<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
\nThe Hope4Kids \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Holistic Oncologic Palliative Care for Europe\u2019s Kids\u00a0–<\/strong>\u00a0Joint Action aims to strengthen and\u00a0harmonise\u00a0paediatric\u00a0palliative care (PPC) across Europe for all children living with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.<\/p>\n
Across Europe, many children live with severe,\u00a0complex\u00a0or rare chronic conditions<\/strong> that significantly affect their quality of life and, in many cases, may shorten life expectancy. PPC is not limited to end-of-life care \u2013 it is an active and\u00a0holistic approach\u00a0that can be provided from the moment of diagnosis, regardless of disease type or stage, and alongside disease-specific or life-prolonging treatments. The aim of PPC is to prevent and relieve suffering through effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms, as well as to provide psychological,\u00a0social\u00a0and spiritual support to children and their families<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Access to\u00a0specialised\u00a0PPC across Europe\u00a0remains\u00a0uneven, and care is often integrated late or inadequately into routine\u00a0paediatric\u00a0services. As a result, children, their\u00a0families\u00a0and informal caregivers\u00a0frequently\u00a0experience inconsistent care. Hope4Kids responds to these challenges through a comprehensive and coordinated approach<\/strong>. Key deliverables include mapping of PPC systems across Europe; development of\u00a0harmonised, evidence-based guidelines in PPC; implementation and evaluation of four pilot interventions<\/strong> across more than\u00a017\u00a0study sites; and development of education and training\u00a0programmes\u00a0for healthcare professionals,\u00a0parents\u00a0and informal caregivers such as teachers. Hope4Kids will also build a European PPC network of professionals and collaborate with other European projects.<\/p>\n
The Hope4Kids project has a duration of 4 years and is coordinated by the Princess M\u00e1xima Center<\/strong> for pediatric oncology in the Netherlands<\/strong>. The initiative is built on the cooperation of more than 50 partners and over 70\u00a0organisations\u00a0from 23 European countries. Through this collaboration, Hope4Kids addresses inequalities in access to PPC, quality of care, and integration into health systems.\u00a0Ultimately, this\u00a0will ensure that every child and family\u00a0have\u00a0timely\u00a0access to high-quality PPC<\/strong>, regardless of place of residence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>Objetives<\/h4><\/a><\/li>
<\/i>Methodology<\/h4><\/a><\/li>
<\/i>Results <\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
<\/i>Objetives<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
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- To improve care for children affected by cancer<\/strong> by promoting a coordinated approach at European Union level and in countries associated with the EU4Health programme.<\/li>\n
- Ensure that the actions taken promote access to PC in Member States<\/strong>, encouraging closer collaboration and the exchange of good practices between European Union countries and EU4Health programme partners interested in improving PC.<\/li>\n
- Increase awareness of current gaps in palliative care services<\/strong> and disseminate and share best models and effective practices that help reduce inequalities between regions and countries.<\/li>\n
- Develop and validate resources that facilitate the use and improvement of existing tools<\/strong> and interventions in order to improve the quality and accessibility of paediatric palliative care.<\/li>\n
- Expand and improve the information resources available to family members<\/strong>, informal carers, health professionals and other professionals, strengthening support for families and training for care teams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
<\/i>Methodology<\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
\nThe Joint Action consists of eight work packages (WPs).<\/strong> Four of these are cross-cutting: Coordination and Management, Communication and Dissemination, Evaluation, and Sustainability.<\/p>\n
There are four other technical WPs: Analysis of the situation of paediatric palliative care in Europe; Clinical guidelines for paediatric palliative care; Design and implementation of pilot projects; Training for health professionals and information for children and parents.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/i>Results <\/h4><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
\nThe main results that can be transferred to the system are as follows:<\/p>\n
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- Recommendations for possible improvements in paediatric palliative care (PPC).<\/li>\n
- Unified international guidelines for PPC using evidence-based methods.<\/li>\n
- Methodology for integrating shared decision-making into advanced care planning.<\/li>\n
- Integrated digital model to support home care.<\/li>\n
- Training and educational materials, as well as the basic European curriculum for PPC aimed at professional groups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
- Ensure that the actions taken promote access to PC in Member States<\/strong>, encouraging closer collaboration and the exchange of good practices between European Union countries and EU4Health programme partners interested in improving PC.<\/li>\n
- To improve care for children affected by cancer<\/strong> by promoting a coordinated approach at European Union level and in countries associated with the EU4Health programme.<\/li>\n
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