Lekárska genetika a diagnostika 2/2026

European Reference Networks and National Institute of Children´s Diseases: From european expertise to integrated care at the national level

European Reference Networks (ERNs) represent one of the key instruments of European cooperation in the field of rare and complex diseases. This article outlines the background to their establishment, their development since the launch of the first 24 networks in 2017, and their current role in facilitating expert knowledge sharing, multidisciplinary consultations, the development of clinical guidelines, education, and research. Particular attention is given to the JARDIN Joint Action, which aims to integrate ERNs into national healthcare systems, as well as to the involvement of the National Institute of Children’s Diseases in Slovakia in ERNs and JARDIN activities. Uneven geographical representation across individual ERNs remains an important challenge. The new European call for affiliated partners launched in 2026 represents an important opportunity for Slovakia, which currently lacks representation in 15 of the 24 ERNs, to strengthen links between national centres of expertise and European networks and to improve access to specialised care, international collaboration, and research.

Keywords: rare diseases, european reference networks, ERN, national reference network, JARDIN