European Network for Health-Promoting Schools
About
The European Network for Health-Promoting Schools (ENHPS) brings together Ministries of Health and Education, public health experts and partner organisations to strengthen and expand the health-promoting schools (HPS) approach across the WHO European Region.
Building on more than three decades of collaboration, the network supports countries in creating school environments that promote the health, well-being and learning of children and adolescents. ENHPS contributes to implementing the WHO/UNICEF Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being in the WHO European Region, A healthy start for a healthy life (2026–2030), by fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge and supporting national implementation.
The renewed ENHPS was officially launched in February 2026, with National Focal Points from across the WHO European Region committing to strengthen cooperation and advance the health-promoting schools agenda.
Newsletter
European Network for Health-Promoting Schools
August 2026 - 1st edition
ENHPS Governance
Secretariat
During the network's transitional phase, the ENHPS Secretariat is hosted by WHO/Europe, supported by EuroHealthNet and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Health and Education (hosted by the University of Clermont Auvergne), which also serves as the UNESCO Chair Global Health and Education.
The Secretariat provides organisational and logistical support while the network establishes its long-term governance. Its core responsibilities include:
- coordinating the network's daily operations;
- organising meetings for National Focal Points and the expert group;
- liaising with the Health Promoting School Research Group
- facilitating technical exchanges and webinars;
- developing the network's communications, including newsletters;
- identifying funding opportunities to strengthen health-promoting schools across Europe.
National Focal Points
National Focal Points are designated by Ministries of Health and/or Ministries of Education across the WHO European Region.
They provide political leadership and coordinate implementation of the health-promoting schools approach at national level by:
- supporting national implementation of the WHO/UNICEF Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being;
- strengthening collaboration between health and education sectors;
- participating in annual meetings of the network, hosted by a WHO Member State on a rotational basis;
- sharing national experiences, priorities and good practices.
A list of National Focal Points can be found here.
A long-standing commitment to health-promoting schools
The health-promoting schools movement began in the late 1980s following the adoption of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. In 1992, the European Network of Health-Promoting Schools was established through a partnership between WHO, the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Over the following decades, the network became a major driver of school health initiatives throughout the WHO European Region. In 2007, it evolved into the Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) Network, which continued to support countries through national coordinators and collaborative learning. The launch of ENHPS in 2026 marks a renewed commitment by WHO/Europe Member States to strengthen cooperation and accelerate implementation of the health-promoting schools approach as part of the regional strategy child and adolescent health and well-being.
Other resources
SHE Network
The Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) Network developed practical guidance, policy recommendations, and implementation tools, while facilitating knowledge exchange between its national coordinators. Although the SHE Network has concluded its activities, its resources continue to provide valuable guidance for schools, policymakers and practitioners.
Resources:
Schools4Health
Schools4Health (2022-2025) was a European initiative that supported 16 schools in implementing and scaling up the health-promoting schools approach. Coordinated by EuroHealthNet and delivered through a consortium of European health and education partners, the project supported renewed momentum for health-promoting schools through policy advocacy, best practice implementation and knowledge exchange. Its work has contributed to the WHO/UNICEF Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well-being and the relaunch of the European Network for Health-Promoting Schools.
All resources are available here.
Contact
For enquiries about the European Network for Health-Promoting Schools, you may contact the following members of the Secretariat:
WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Health and Education
(UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education)
- Goof Buijs – Manager
- Silvia de Ruiter – Project Manager
More information here.
