In 2004, the European Commission and Council of Ministers targeted Health Technology Assessment (HTA) as “a political priority”, recognising “an urgent need for establishing a sustainable European network on HTA”.
A Commission call was answered in 2005 by a group of 35 organisations throughout Europe, led by the Danish Centre for HTA (DACEHTA) in Copenhagen which led to the activities of the EUnetHTA Project.
The EUnetHTA Joint Action (2010-2012) refined the collaboration structure and tools with attention to global developments in the field. EUnetHTA Joint Action 2 (2012-2015) extended this by strengthening the practical application of tools and approaches to cross-border HTA collaboration, further supporting and refining a system of collaboration in HTA. These two Joint Actions have proven the ability of national HTA organistions to work together and produce valuable products. EUnetHTA Joint Action 3 (2016-2020) is now developing the final phase of establishing a permanent HTA working structure for Europe.