The European Federation of Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis Associations is an umbrella organisation representing national patients’ associations from 25 European countries.

Following the identification of IBD as a recognisable chronic illness, specific self-help groups began to appear cross Europe. By the mid 1980s, most of the groups which now constitute the European National Associations for Crohn's and Colitis patients had been formed. Further development of these organisations has reflected the growth of IBD diagnosis, the increasing visibility of the benefits of self-help associations and their increasing roles.

In order to improve links and collaboration between patients and medical care professionals, EFCCA is also assisted by a Europe-wide team of eminent Medical Patrons.
Additionally, IBD is included within the group of “rare diseases” acknowledged by the European Commission. This choice highlights the importance of joining forces and, once again, EFCCA and its national members play an important role in order to catch the eye not only of the EU institutions, but also of EU citizens and decision makers both at a national and transnational level.

EFCCA’s main objective is to improve the well-being of people with IBD of all ages, diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease information system (IBDIS)

Individual members of ECCO are entitled to use IBDIS, Category I, free of charge. For free access, please register at the IBDIS registration page using your ECCO username and password.

ECCO is one of the 16 members of the United European Gastroenterology Federation - UEGF. The UEGF is a professional non-profit medical federation comprising all of the major European societies with an interest in disease of the digestive system, including the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestine and bowel. The European societies that make up the Federation include medicine, surgery, GI oncology, paediatrics and endoscopy.

UEGF is the most comprehensive organisation of this kind in the world and its affiliated societies represent over 22.000 European specialists. The annual congress United European Gastroenterology Week - UEGW is Europe's most important meeting in Gastroenterology and is held every year in October.