Call for Abstracts

The Call for Abstracts for the 2026 Annual Business Meeting and Technical Conference is now officially open! As we gather in Viana do Castelo, Portugal from 16–18 June 2026, we will celebrate 40 years of promise and progress since the Ottawa Charter and begin our work with Phase VIII (2026–2030).

This year’s theme, Healthy Cities, Healthy Generations, invites us to reflect on how cities can create environments where every generation can thrive. We warmly welcome contributions that highlight policy, practice, innovation, and evidence across our seven Phase VIII pillars: People, Place, Planet, Participation, Prosperity, Peace, and Prepare (with more details outlined in the attached guidelines).

How to Submit Your Abstract   

Online submission [CLOSED]

All abstracts must:

• Be submitted in English
• Be no more than 500 words (submissions above the limit will not be reviewed)
• Align with at least one conference sub-theme (7Ps)
• Follow the criteria detailed in the attached abstract guidelines, which is also linked here.

Accepted abstracts may be selected for:

• an oral presentation
• a poster session (marketplace)
• inclusion in the Book of Abstracts, or combination of these options.

Key Deadlines

• Submission Deadline: 4 March 2026 (late submissions cannot be accepted)
• Notification of Acceptance: By end of March 2026

Selection process

Based on the evaluation, abstracts may be:

• Selected for oral and/or poster presentation (marketplace session)
• Included in the book of abstracts
• Selected for both oral/poster presentation and inclusion in the book of abstracts
• All submissions will undergo a formal review process conducted by the WHO European Healthy Cities Network Secretariat, in collaboration with its Scientific and Advisory Committees.
• The WHO European Healthy Cities Network Secretariat does not guarantee that submitted abstracts will be accepted for oral/poster presentation or inclusion in the book of abstracts.

Important Notes

• All successful presenters will be required to register for the conference once registration opens.
• Please note that this is an in-person event, and virtual participation will not be available. There are no registration fees for this conference.

We truly look forward to receiving your submissions and showcasing the remarkable work happening across our cities, national networks, and partner institutions.

For any questions or technical issues please contact: eurohealthycities@who.int.