Advocacy
EFPA supports three main strategic fields of action (climate change, digitalisation and mental health) which cut across all areas in support of our purpose: develop psychology, contribute to society, and serve psychologists.
EFPA supports three main strategic fields of action (climate change, digitalisation and mental health) which cut across all areas in support of our purpose: develop psychology, contribute to society, and serve psychologists.
In the 2025/2027 period, EFPA will refine its advocacy framework to focus on these main channels:
1. European Institutions |
Engage with European institutions and policy makers on policy areas of relevance for EFPA fields of action. Particularly, EFPA will Work with the European Parliament Intergroup for Mental Health on developing its agenda for mental health. |
2. Partnering with other European organisations |
Continue partnering with other organisations at the European level with which EFPA has existing relationships and build relevant new connections. Notably, but not only: GAMIAN Europe, European Psychiatric Association (EPA), Mental Health Europe (MHE), World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region. |
3. National Co-operation |
Co-operate in areas of EFPA relevance where Full Members (FMs) have already developed national advocacy and other materials and a sufficient grouping of FMs wish to cooperate at the European level. |
4. European Congresses |
Encourage relevant themes/ streams and submissions and plans for main stage flagship events at both upcoming European Congress of Psychology and in the early plans for the succeeding one. |
5. International Co-operation |
Co-operate with our MoU partner psychology organisations the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS), and International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP). Collaborate with the American Psychological Association (APA) in particular through our joint UN Geneva collaboration with the Federation of Swiss Psychologists. |
Since its inception EFPA has engaged as an active participant in mental health advocacy throughout Europe and alongside our collaborators internationally. EFPA welcomes a recognition of the importance of ensuring that EU and national policies proactively promote good mental health, as well as work to prevent, mitigate and respond to mental health challenges.
Psychology is the study of human thought and behaviour which embraces all aspects of experience. Accordingly psychological science has identified solutions to many of the challenges associated with human factors related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes SDG 13 which aims to combat climate change.
The increasing use of technology in society poses potential benefits and challenges, and this is a topic of great relevance to European psychology. EFPA has given attention to this topic for quite some time, and in 2024 a Digitalisation Expert Reference Group was established to help coordinate the organisation's response.