During the 10th Forum in Tallinn the winner of the 2026 Being Young Staying Young Award (BYSY) was announced and Dr. Veronika Rasic addressed the audience with some key insights of wisdom.
This award recognises a senior doctor who over a prolonged period of time had made a valuable and key contribution to EYFDM and evokes in others the youthful mindset which characterises and underpins the heart, soul and ethos of EYFDM.
Veronika Rasic has been an invaluable bridge between EURIPA and EYFDM, serving as the previous EURIPA–EYFDM Liaison, a role in which she helped strengthen connections between young doctors and established rural practitioners across Europe. As co-founder of Rural Seeds in 2017, a global network for students and early-career health professionals interested in rural health, Veronika created a platform that continues to empower young professionals to pursue rural careers and research.
See other inspiring individuals that contributed to the development of EYFDM (former winners).
On January 30 the EYFDM Council meet, worked on and approved the Statement on Family Medicine as a Speciality:
“EYFDM strongly supports the full recognition of Family Medicine/ General Practice as a medical speciality, within the European Union and the whole European Region. EYFDM endorses the WONCA Europe Statement on the Recognition of the Speciality of Family Medicine/ General Practice in the European Region. We call for its inclusion in Directive 2005/36/EC, Annex 1.1.3 on the recognition of professional qualifications, alongside other medical specialities. A common European framework, which reflects the diversity of Family Medicine across health systems, will ensure that the knowledge we obtain in the first years of our careers is qualitatively equivalent to our colleagues from surrounding countries. We aim to bring together trainees, trainers and policymakers to address the future needs of family doctors when designing a common curriculum. Strengthening the position of Family Medicine in Europe is one of the EYFDM aims, and the recognition of Family Medicine as a speciality means taking a step further towards this goal. This position is fully aligned as well with the UEMO and EJD’s “Murcia Declaration on the Future of General Practice and Family Medicine in European Healthcare”, which highlights the crucial role of Family Medicine in ensuring accessible, and sustainable healthcare systems across Europe.”
EYFDM acknowledges that: ● The climate emergency is a global ecological and health emergency. ● The climate emergency is having and will continue to have health impacts that will worsen health inequalities. ● We have a commitment as a primary care organisation to raise awareness of the Climate Crisis and advocate for Planetary Health.
Goals/ targets: ● One-health approach ● Promote low-carbon activities and health systems ● Incentivise campaigns and training for our members to raise awareness on climate crisis and related health emergencies. ● Partner with similar organisations and share common grounds. ● Develop specific policies supported by scientific evidence.
Amendments to the EYFDM Bylaws were also approved regarding participation in SIGs, nomination of proxy, ties in voting and update in the logo description and use of EYFDM name.
The Council also approved a budget amendment to increase funding for bursaries in 2026, after the generous donation of from the Luxembourg HOC of 4500 euros.
The accessibility guidelines were also approved to improve the experience for all members at EYFDM events.
Apply now, and until March 8th for bursaries to attend the EYFDM Preconference and WONCA Europe Conference in Paris.
Wonca Europe, Collège de la Médecine Générale (CMG) and the European Young Family Doctors’ Movement have joined forces to financially support young family physicians from across the WONCA Europe region and bring them closer to the global international community of general practitioners.
At least 10 applicants will receive from 500 to 1000 € to refund the costs of attending these events.
We started 2026 showcasing some opportunities within EYFDM including the roles of ND and executive, exchanges, awards, bursaries, bridge project and more.
As 2025 draws to a close we asked our members to look back and reflect on a gift they had received this year from EYFDM. Happy holidays, see you in 2026!
Thank you to all our amazing national delegates and members that collaborated to bring you some holiday spirit: Kati Koost – Estonian National Delegate Ekin Dikmen – National Delegate – Türkiye Vasile Grajdu, family medicine specialist – Romanian National Delegate Lia Guledani – National Delegate – Georgia Aleksandra Majkut – National Delegate – Poland Yanica Vella – Exchange Officer Kerry Greenan – Secretary Inês Castro – National Delegate – Portugal
10th Forum of Młodzi Lekarze Rodzinni (Young Family Doctors from Poland) took place this year in Warsaw, 15-16th of November.
Great lectures, practical workshops, an amazing atmosphere and inspiring networking. Wellbeing was also central with active breaks, morning run, healthy food, and a family& children room. See you in Cracow next year!
Dr. Deepthi Lavu and Dr. Ikbal Hümay Arman have been awarded WONCA Europe Scholarship 2025. You can read the full interview at Wonca Europe website and see the video below. Here is a sneak peak:
Dr Deepthi Lavu, a UK-based academic GP, discusses her inspiring path from local practice to global collaboration in family medicine. As a WONCA Europe Scholarship 2025 winner, she highlights the importance of mentorship, research, and international exchange in shaping the next generation of primary care leaders.
Dr İkbal Hümay Arman, recipient of the WONCA Europe Scholarship Award 2025, shares her journey in family medicine, her passion for patient-centered care, and her vision for the future of primary care.
Earlier this week the 18th episode of the EYFDM Podcast was released:
Dr. Daria Gheorghe, EYFDM President- She talks about how to get involved with EYFDM and what it’s like being a European GP
In this episode, Daria Gheorghe, current EYFDM president, takes some time out of her busy WONCA World -Lisbon conference time, to talk about ho the Family Medicine Youth Movement in Europe (European Young Family Doctors Movement:EYFDM). She reflects on her personal experiences and she explains how EYFDM works and how to get involved.
