Priority areas, common approaches and joint EU activities concentrate on:

Health and social care

• Red Cross National Societies in Europe devote 60% of their activities to health and social care services.
• Red Cross National Societies in Europe share a particular interest in public health, social inclusion and the elderly
• The Red Cross/EU Office assists EU Red Cross National Societies in developing partnerships and common positions on subjects discussed within EU institutions

Asylum, migration and displacement

• In recent and coming years the EU will further its role in developing a common asylum and migration policy, including external border control

The Red Cross/EU Office promotes:

• The establishment of a common European asylum system based on fair and proper asylum procedures
• The development of a comprehensive EU migration policy which safeguards humanitarian principles and dignity of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants

Non-discrimination & Promotion of Humanitarian values

• EU Red Cross National Societies and the Federation have committed themselves to promote respect for diversity and non-discrimination
• Diversity is a very valuable asset in achieving our goal of improving the mives of the most vulnerable people
• The Red Cross/EU Office supports EU Red Cross National Societies and the Federation in developing a campaign on non-discrimination and bringing it to the attention of the EU institutions

Youth & Volunteering

• Red Cross Youth comprise more than half of the active volunteers of the Red Cross/Red Crescent
• Young people have a key role to play in the provision of Red Cross/Red Crescent services
• Young people are also an important target group when vulnerable
• The Red Cross/EU Office encourages and supports the establishment of an EU-wide Red Cross Youth network to facilitate information sharing and collaboration

First aid & road safety

• Of all accident fatalities, over 57% die in the first minutes after the crash before the arrival of the emergency services
• For the Red cross, first aid is a cost-effective, safe and simple way to save lives in an emergency
• In Europe, the Red Cross endeavours to make first aid education compulsory at different stages of life
• Four European Road Safety Campaigns have been supported by the Red Cross/EU Office since 2001