IFCCA Youth Group
Empowering young people with IBD
Who we are
The IFCCA Youth Group is a dynamic community of young individuals aged 18–30 living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It serves as a platform for young advocates to connect, share experiences, and support one another while actively engaging with the broader IBD community.
Our Purpose
The Youth Group empowers young people to become effective advocates and leaders. Members develop skills in project management, advocacy, and communication, enabling them to create meaningful impact both nationally and internationally.
What we do
Connect & Collaborate
Through regular online meetings, social media engagement, and in-person events, members build relationships across Europe, exchange experiences, and collaborate on initiatives.
Advocate & Lead
Members contribute to surveys, awareness campaigns, and youth-focused initiatives, ensuring that the perspectives of young people with IBD are represented in decision-making processes. They also give feedback that helps IFCCA improve research and influence policies for patients.
Plan & Act
The Youth Group works together to identify the needs of young patients and design projects to address them. Recent initiatives include strategic planning meetings, survey development, and recruitment campaigns to expand membership.
Our Journey
Since the successful completion of the Youth Group’s training through the IFCCA Youth Academy, the group has grown into an active and supportive community. Members have met online and in-person at events such as UEG Week and ECCO Congress to plan initiatives, launch projects, and help shape the group’s strategic direction across Europe. The Youth Group is coordinated by Vasiliki-Rafaela Vakouftsi, an experienced patient advocate from Greece.
Latest Activities
IFCCA Youth Group at UEG Week 2025, Berlin
The IFCCA Youth Group recently took part in a dedicated session at UEG Week 2025 in Berlin: “Living with IBD: Voices of Young Adults (18–30)”.
During the session, members presented the results of the Youth Group survey on IBD, conducted with the Gastroenterology-Hepatology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Hippokration Hospital). The survey highlighted the real-life experiences, challenges, and needs of young people living with IBD, providing insights to inform advocacy, support, and awareness initiatives.
The interactive session allowed Youth Group members to share their experiences, connect with peers, and explore ways to empower young people living with IBD across Europe.
