The forum aims to lay the foundations for a sustainable cross-sector partnership bringing together key stakeholders—public institutions, municipalities, academia and professional communities, civil society organisations, and businesses—in support of the European Mission on Cancer and the ECHoS (Establishing Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies) project.

Through the National Cancer Mission Hub, this partnership will be structured as a national platform for the implementation of evidence-based oncology policies, with a focus on early prevention, education, research, digitalisation, and social equity.

As host and partner, the GATE Institute supports the development of a sustainable national platform that brings together scientific research, innovation, public health policies, and active stakeholder engagement.

Through the ECHoS project, Bulgaria joins a European network of more than 30 countries working to build sustainable national ecosystems in the fight against cancer. The shared European goal is to improve the lives of more than three million people in Europe by 2030.

More than 80 organisations and institutions are already part of Bulgaria’s Cancer Mission ecosystem, united within the Joint Oncology National Network (JONN). Supported by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the network is working to foster collaboration and dialogue aimed at implementing systemic solutions and policies related to health literacy and prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Bulgaria is among the five pilot countries where National Cancer Mission Hubs are being established, together with Poland, the Netherlands, Greece, and Malta.

Official ceremony for the establishment of the National Cancer Mission Hub in Bulgaria

📅 11 March 2026
🕑 14:00 – 17:30
📍 GATE Institute, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
5 James Bourchier Blvd., Sofia

The programme can be viewed here.