Capacity Building I 25 November 2025

In June 2025, the WECAN Academy welcomed more than 70 cancer patient advocates from across Europe and beyond to Rome for an intensive, in-person learning experience. Participants joined one of two tailored tracks: WECAN SmartStart for emerging advocates and the WECAN MasterClass for experienced patient leaders. As in previous editions, the Academy focused on building the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to engage effectively with healthcare systems, research and policy at both national and European levels..

Day 1 set the tone with a warm welcome from WECAN Chair Alex Filicevas and a powerful personal story from WECAN Academy alumna Lidia Dyndor. SmartStart participants began exploring core topics such as health economics, drug development, healthcare ecosystems and ethics in advocacy, creating a strong foundation for the days ahead.

On Day 2, the focus shifted to evidence-based advocacy. Participants worked on interpreting scientific data, understanding how evidence can support advocacy goals and exploring financial sustainability for patient organisations, alongside discussions on health technology assessment from a patient perspective.

Day 3 took a broader view of the policy and research environment. Sessions examined patient-centred clinical trials, NGO governance, EU cancer policy, pharmaceutical regulation and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in advocacy, helping participants better navigate the systems that shape cancer care.

Day 4 placed the spotlight on the MasterClass track, with advocates engaging in in-depth discussions on patient-reported outcomes, advanced evidence-based advocacy and health inequities. These sessions encouraged peer-to-peer learning and high-level exchange across countries and disease areas.

WECAN continues to invest in long-term capacity building for cancer patient advocates at every stage of their development and work. Alongside the Academy, a growing portfolio of online training opportunities supports advocates in areas such as evidence-based advocacy, regulatory frameworks and participation in research. These resources enable patient organisations to engage more confidently with clinical trials, policy processes and the generation of patient experience data. Within this wider learning ecosystem, the WECAN Academy remains the central in-person occasion where knowledge, practice and community come together each year.

WECAN Academy 2025 featured 23 training sessions led by 18 expert speakers, many of whom are active members of the WECAN community. Their role as both trainers and fellow advocates created a collaborative learning environment where experience, challenges and solutions could be openly shared.

Beyond the formal programme, participants highlighted the strong sense of community, the openness of faculty and the opportunity to connect across borders and cancer types. The Rome edition once again showed that the Academy is not only a training space but also a meeting point for a growing European and global advocacy network.

WECAN Academy 2025 reinforced the shared commitment of patient advocates to advancing more equitable, patient-centred cancer care. As participants returned home, they carried new skills, stronger connections and a renewed determination to turn knowledge into meaningful action.

Congratulations to all participants for their active engagement and generosity in sharing experience. We also extend our sincere thanks to the speakers and supporters whose contributions made this edition possible and enriched the learning environment for everyone involved. Together, we continue to build a more informed, connected and impactful cancer advocacy community.

To download the event’s report, please click the button.

Supporters

The WECAN Academy was hosted by the European Patient Advocacy Institute gUG on behalf of WECAN. Funding for the event was obtained from the following funders: