Organisation
The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) is a European not-for-profit umbrella organisation, linking national wound management organisations, individuals and groups with interest in wound care.
What is EWMA?
The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) is a European not-for-profit umbrella organisation, linking national wound management organisations, individuals and groups with interest in wound care.
The association works to promote the advancement of education and research into native epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and management of wounds of all aetiologies.
One of the founding principles was that EWMA would be inclusive across professions and countries, and so it has remained. Since the beginning, EWMA has welcomed nurses, doctors with various relevant specialities, as well as other professionals (e.g. micro-biologists and psychologists) into the EWMA Council.
What we do
EWMA works continuously to improve European wound patients’ quality of life. We pursue identifying and advocating the highest quality of treatment available and its cost effectiveness from a multidisciplinary point of view. We work to reach our objectives by being an educational resource for health care professionals working with wound care and prevention. We organise conferences, contribute to international projects related to wound management, actively support the implementation of existing knowledge and provide information on all aspects of wound management.
Thus, EWMA strives to be the organisation that citizens, patients, professionals, Governments, Health Services and educational institutes come to for advice, expertise and opinion in Europe.
EWMA statutes
EWMA Code of conduct/Respectful Workplace Policy
EWMA is dedicated to providing a safe and respectful environment for everyone. EWMA does not accept harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment, bullying, physical intimidation, or discrimination. If you experience inappropriate behaviour in connection with EWMA meetings, courses or conferences, please contact the EWMA Secretariat (ewma@ewma.org). All reports will be taken seriously and handled confidentially.
EWMA's organisational structure
The European Wound Management Association (EWMA) is a European not-for-profit umbrella organisation, linking national wound management organisations, individuals and groups with interest in wound care. EWMA is a member-based organisation. The chart below illustrates how EWMA is organised.
Council & Executive Committee
EWMA Council
The Council is the main deciding body of EWMA. The EWMA Council Members have the key role in the process of developing and guiding the association towards the common goal of making a difference in the delivery of wound care in Europe. All members of EWMA have the opportunity to candidate for Council in the annual election.
If you are interested in how to stand for election for the EWMA Council, we encourage you to read the guidelines on how to stand for election.
Our objectives and goals
EWMA objectives and goals
To support collaboration between European wound healing associations.
To provide accessible educational resources for professionals, patients and citizens.
To promote non healing wounds as a major health care challenge as well as an economic burden for European health care systems.
To actively promote that most non healing wounds can be prevented.
To promote cost-effective, evidence-based best practice wound prevention and treatment.
To promote a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention and treatment of wounds.
To support that patients play a key role in prevention and treatment as a central member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
How we work
We support our objectives by:
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Publishing EWMA documents regarding epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and management of wounds of all aetiologies.
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Hosting multidisciplinary wound conferences and training courses in Europe.
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Creating forums for networking and sharing experiences for individuals and organisations actively involved in wound management.
- Collaborating with national and international societies focusing on wound care or related topics.
- Organising advocacy activities targeting policymakers and key-opinion leaders in national governments and the European Union.
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Providing recommendations for clinical practice.
EWMA President objectives
Dimitri Beeckman President, Objectives 2025
Presidential vision and objectives: Advancing inclusive and innovative wound care in Europe and beyond
“As president of EWMA, I am committed to strengthening the organisation’s role as a European and global leader in inclusive, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based wound care. My vision aligns with EWMA’s mission and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on equity, collaboration, and innovation.
My key priorities include:
- Empowering national collaboration
Strengthen partnerships with national and interdisciplinary organisations to increase local and European impact. - Promoting research and ethical innovation
Support translational research and real-world evidence studies, promote meaningful economic evaluations, champion the ethical use of AI in wound care, and advance evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes. - Transforming project delivery
Develop practical digital tools that go beyond static documents, delivering real value to patients, caregivers, and the broader healthcare system — including policymakers and decision-makers. - Supporting a collaborative EWMA Council culture
Encourage mentorship, shared leadership, and cross-committee dialogue. - Young Wound Experts Group and NextGen leadership Programme development
Identify and mentor future leaders in wound care across Europe. - Enhancing education
Address educational gaps by clearly defining the roles of stakeholders within interdisciplinary teams and tailoring education to their specific needs — while also promoting the well-being of healthcare professionals. - Delivering high-quality scientific conferences
Expand accessibility through innovative formats and diverse, evidence-based content delivered by a dynamic mix of established and emerging speakers. - Championing person-centred wound care
Promote patient advocacy and culturally competent wound care across all settings. - Strengthening the Journal of Wound Management (JOWM)
Boost global reach and scientific credibility through strategic development.
Building on the legacy of past presidents, I aim to lead EWMA with purpose, supporting a motivated team ready to shape the future of wound care.”
In line with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EWMA will promote sustainability in several areas of wound care to address today’s major challenges. Sustainability in wound care encompasses several approaches and aspects.