Joint Action Hope4Kids

Across Europe, many children live with severe, complex or rare chronic conditions that significantly affect their quality of life and, in many cases, may shorten life expectancy. PPC is not limited to end-of-life care – it is an active and holistic approach that can be provided from the moment of diagnosis, regardless of disease type or stage, and alongside disease-specific or life-prolonging treatments. The aim of PPC is to prevent and relieve suffering through effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms, as well as to provide psychological, social and spiritual support to children and their families.   

Access to specialised PPC across Europe remains uneven, and care is often integrated late or inadequately into routine paediatric services. As a result, children, their families and informal caregivers frequently experience inconsistent care. Hope4Kids responds to these challenges through a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Key deliverables include mapping of PPC systems across Europe; development of harmonised, evidence-based guidelines in PPC; implementation and evaluation of four pilot interventions across more than 17 study sites; and development of education and training programmes for healthcare professionals, parents and informal caregivers such as teachers. Hope4Kids will also build a European PPC network of professionals and collaborate with other European projects.  

The Hope4Kids project has a duration of 4 years and is coordinated by the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology in the Netherlands. The initiative is built on the cooperation of more than 50 partners and over 70 organisations from 23 European countries. Through this collaboration, Hope4Kids addresses inequalities in access to PPC, quality of care, and integration into health systems. Ultimately, this will ensure that every child and family have timely access to high-quality PPC, regardless of place of residence. 

The Hope4Kids – Holistic Oncologic Palliative Care for Europe’s Kids Joint Action - aims to strengthen and harmonise paediatric palliative care (PPC) across Europe for all children living with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. Implemented between 2025 and 2029 with partners from 23 countries, the project seeks to reduce inequalities in care through evidence-based guidelines, pilot programmes, education and training, and policy collaboration. Hope4Kids is to ensure that every child and family receives timely, holistic PPC, regardless of where they live.