Welcome to the
European Cleft Organisation (ECO)

A nonprofit committed to ensuring that every person born with a cleft lip and/or palate in Europe has access to high-quality healthcare, comprehensive support, and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.

Together, we can close the gaps in care, knowledge, and advocacy. Explore our work, meet our team, and find out how you can get involved.

product
product
product

Contact Us

Contact Us

ABOUT US

About European Cleft Organisation

European Cleft
Organisation

Our Vision

A world where every person born with a cleft has access to high-quality healthcare, social support and education, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives with fair and inclusive opportunities.

Our Mission

ECO is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of individuals born with clefts by improving access to multidisciplinary healthcare and ensuring they and their families receive comprehensive support both within and beyond the medical environment.

product
product
product

Learn more

Learn more

Resources

ECO Resources: Guidelines, Gateway & Training

ECO Resources: Guidelines, Gateway & Training

At ECO, we are committed to improving cleft care by sharing knowledge, connecting professionals, and supporting families. Our resources include EU-validated Early Care Guidelines, a dynamic online ECO Gateway directory, and specialised training programmes tailored for healthcare providers, educators, NGOs, and parents.

product
product
product

More Resources

More Resources

PROJECTS

CURRENT PROJECTS

At the European Cleft Organisation (ECO), our projects are designed to create lasting change in cleft care across Europe and beyond. We work with partners from the medical, academic, NGO, and patient communities to develop practical solutions that address real challenges faced by individuals born with cleft lip and/or palate.

The Face Equality Training

The EU funded Face Equality Training (FET) project is drawing to a conclusion with a final meeting of the 8 partner countries in Iasi, Romania in June. The project has developed comprehensive training resources for health professionals and NGOs which highlight the challenges faces by people with a visible difference, such a s a cleft, and provide advice on how these challenges can be addressed.

The Face Equality Training

The EU funded Face Equality Training (FET) project is drawing to a conclusion with a final meeting of the 8 partner countries in Iasi, Romania in June. The project has developed comprehensive training resources for health professionals and NGOs which highlight the challenges faces by people with a visible difference, such a s a cleft, and provide advice on how these challenges can be addressed.

The Face Equality Training

The EU funded Face Equality Training (FET) project is drawing to a conclusion with a final meeting of the 8 partner countries in Iasi, Romania in June. The project has developed comprehensive training resources for health professionals and NGOs which highlight the challenges faces by people with a visible difference, such a s a cleft, and provide advice on how these challenges can be addressed.

ECO in the Global Cleft Taskforce

ECO has been asked to help coordinate and develop a set of recommendations on a 'Access and Referrals' to cleft care, with particular emphasis on low to middle income country settings.  This is part of a wider theme setting standards for  Neonatal Cleft Care.  This topic was well researched in Europe while we were putting together our Early Care Guidelines (LINK) in 2016 but will now need updating in light of new practices and contemporary studies. 

ECO in the Global Cleft Taskforce

ECO has been asked to help coordinate and develop a set of recommendations on a 'Access and Referrals' to cleft care, with particular emphasis on low to middle income country settings.  This is part of a wider theme setting standards for  Neonatal Cleft Care.  This topic was well researched in Europe while we were putting together our Early Care Guidelines (LINK) in 2016 but will now need updating in light of new practices and contemporary studies. 

ECO in the Global Cleft Taskforce

ECO has been asked to help coordinate and develop a set of recommendations on a 'Access and Referrals' to cleft care, with particular emphasis on low to middle income country settings.  This is part of a wider theme setting standards for  Neonatal Cleft Care.  This topic was well researched in Europe while we were putting together our Early Care Guidelines (LINK) in 2016 but will now need updating in light of new practices and contemporary studies. 

Patient Clinician Engagement Group

ECO recently initiated a Patient Clinician engagement group aimed at improving communication between patients  and clinicians, encouraging them to work together on projects to improve overall outcomes in cleft and craniofacial care.  Meetings are facilitated by the European Reference Network for Craniofacial Anomalies (ERN CRANIO).

Patient Clinician Engagement Group

ECO recently initiated a Patient Clinician engagement group aimed at improving communication between patients  and clinicians, encouraging them to work together on projects to improve overall outcomes in cleft and craniofacial care.  Meetings are facilitated by the European Reference Network for Craniofacial Anomalies (ERN CRANIO).

Patient Clinician Engagement Group

ECO recently initiated a Patient Clinician engagement group aimed at improving communication between patients  and clinicians, encouraging them to work together on projects to improve overall outcomes in cleft and craniofacial care.  Meetings are facilitated by the European Reference Network for Craniofacial Anomalies (ERN CRANIO).

More Projects

More Projects

What is Cleft

Understanding Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and/or palate is a common congenital condition that occurs when parts of the lip or roof of the mouth don’t join during early pregnancy. It can affect feeding, speech, hearing, and social wellbeing.

Learn more

Learn more

Stories & Events

Stories & Events

Stay up to date with ECO’s latest initiatives, research highlights, and advocacy campaigns across Europe, and discover upcoming conferences, workshops, and community events that promote cleft care collaboration and awareness. Our blog also features insights from cleft professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.

Stay up to date with ECO’s latest initiatives, research highlights, and advocacy campaigns across Europe, and discover upcoming conferences, workshops, and community events that promote cleft care collaboration and awareness. Our blog also features insights from cleft professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.

Stay up to date with ECO’s latest initiatives, research highlights, and advocacy campaigns across Europe, and discover upcoming conferences, workshops, and community events that promote cleft care collaboration and awareness. Our blog also features insights from cleft professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.

01

Face Equality Week 2025

  • Face Equality International is an organisation that aims to change social attitudes to disfigurement through education, awareness-raising and lobbying.  They have been working with the UN to try to ensure the rights of those with a disfigurement are protected in law. Each year they organise a Face Equality Week and this year’s theme , carried over from last year’s successful campaign, is “My Face is Masterpiece”.

01

Face Equality Week 2025

  • Face Equality International is an organisation that aims to change social attitudes to disfigurement through education, awareness-raising and lobbying.  They have been working with the UN to try to ensure the rights of those with a disfigurement are protected in law. Each year they organise a Face Equality Week and this year’s theme , carried over from last year’s successful campaign, is “My Face is Masterpiece”.

01

Face Equality Week 2025

  • Face Equality International is an organisation that aims to change social attitudes to disfigurement through education, awareness-raising and lobbying.  They have been working with the UN to try to ensure the rights of those with a disfigurement are protected in law. Each year they organise a Face Equality Week and this year’s theme , carried over from last year’s successful campaign, is “My Face is Masterpiece”.

02

ECO in India

  • ECO has been invited to develop ties with a a patient led cleft group in India, SIRAT (Cleft Warriors). The group has a young dynamic membership and are providing support to new families, those with clefts seeking support with aspects of cleft care beyond surgery (speech, orthodontics) and in developing confidence buildiing strategies.

02

ECO in India

  • ECO has been invited to develop ties with a a patient led cleft group in India, SIRAT (Cleft Warriors). The group has a young dynamic membership and are providing support to new families, those with clefts seeking support with aspects of cleft care beyond surgery (speech, orthodontics) and in developing confidence buildiing strategies.

02

ECO in India

  • ECO has been invited to develop ties with a a patient led cleft group in India, SIRAT (Cleft Warriors). The group has a young dynamic membership and are providing support to new families, those with clefts seeking support with aspects of cleft care beyond surgery (speech, orthodontics) and in developing confidence buildiing strategies.

More Stories & Events

More Stories & Events

logo

European Cleft Organisation

We committed to ensuring that every person born with a cleft lip and/or palate in Europe has access to high-quality healthcare, comprehensive support, and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.

Email: info@europeancleft.org


Donate

logo

European Cleft Organisation

We committed to ensuring that every person born with a cleft lip and/or palate in Europe has access to high-quality healthcare, comprehensive support, and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.

Email: info@europeancleft.org


Donate

logo

European Cleft Organisation

We committed to ensuring that every person born with a cleft lip and/or palate in Europe has access to high-quality healthcare, comprehensive support, and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.

Email: info@europeancleft.org


Donate