Task 3 – Capacity building & knowledge exchange to strengthen alcohol policy

Task 2 of FAR SEAS, in collaboration with sister contracts DEEP SEAS and AlHaMBRA Project, developed a series of Thematic Capacity Building workshops (supported by evidence-based briefing documents) in key policy areas impacting on aclohol consumption and harm, with the support of hosts in selected EU member states, and within the frame of the prevention strand of the EU beating cancer plan. The principal idea was to facilitate clear communication and exchange of perspectives and priorities across sectors, and to establish sustainable connections which could endure after the events to enhance and promote health in all policy initiatives.

Procedure to develop the work

Task 2 of FAR SEAS provided a common approach and methodology to support European Member States in knowledge gathering, sharing best practice and capacity building for evidence-based alcohol policy and harm-reduction across multiple sectors, adopting a health in all policies approach.

For this end, in collaboration with sister contracts, DEEP SEAS and AlHaMBRA Project, FAR SEAS elaborated evidence-based briefing documents and organised multi-sectoral thematic workshops for knowledge exchange and capacity building, focusing on 3 specific policy topics related to alcohol:

    1. Online Marketing
    2. Cross-boder Purchases and Trade
    3. Assessing National FASD Prevalence

Overview of the Thematic Workshops

Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis and travel rescrictions to reduce the spread of diseases, many workshops were held online.

The dates for the FAR SEAS workshops over 2020-2022 were as follows: