Strategic Areas
IFCCA supports the global IBD community through five strategic areas: awareness raising, networking, advocacy, research & development, and empowerment.
Our work connects people, drives change, and advances understanding of IBD worldwide — from influencing policy to strengthening patient voices and building knowledge that shapes the future of care.
Discover what we do in each strategic area below.
NETWORKING
Networking is at the core of IFCCA’s mission. Having built strong ties among our members, IFCCA is now expanding its reach to the wider IBD community: connecting with patient organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, regulators, and industry partners. Strengthening these alliances will be key to building a united and influential global IBD network.
On 6 June 2026, representatives from 39 patient associations gathered in Brussels for the IFCCA General Assembly 2026, the Federation's most important annual meeting. Bringing together member organisations from across the world, the Assembly provided an opportunity to reflect on the past year, strengthen international collaboration and shape the future of IFCCA.
On 18 February 2026, IFCCA hosted a conference during ECCO Congress in Stockholm, bringing together patient representatives, healthcare professionals and key stakeholders to discuss the role of patient perspectives in Health Technology Assessment (HTA).
ADVOCACY
Building members’ advocacy skills through initiatives like the IFCCA Academy and DIVA remains a priority, ensuring patients are informed, represented, and heard at every level.
AWARENESS-RAISING
IFCCA works to make IBD visible and understood—by patients, policymakers, healthcare providers, carers, scientists, media, and the wider public. A key tool in our awareness raising effort is World IBD Day, coordinated by IFCCA, which unites the global IBD community around sharing challenges and messages.
EMPOWERMENT
IFCCA empowers people living with IBD and member organisations with the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage care and participate in decisions. Through education, training, peer networks, and youth leadership initiatives, we help members advocate for themselves, take part in research, and strengthen the global IBD community.
We are proud to share the Let’s Talk Endoscopy Lexicon, a new patient-focused resource developed in collaboration with patients, healthcare professionals, and engagement experts, together with our partner Johnson & Johnson.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the ENGAGE-IBD Personalised Health Engagement Guide, a new resource developed within the EU-funded miGut-Health project in collaboration with patients, clinicians, and engagement experts. This practical, patient-centred guide offers clear and accessible support for people living with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, helping them manage symptoms, make informed treatment decisions, and navigate daily life with IBD.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
IFCCA partners in European and global research projects to ensure patients are involved at every stage, from study design to results dissemination. Focusing on patient-centered research, unmet needs, and evidence-based priorities using DIVA, we connect patients, researchers, and healthcare professionals to improve care and quality of life worldwide.
