EUROCARERS aims to advance the issue of informal care at both national and EU levels through: - To raise awareness of the significant contribution made by carers to health and social care systems and the economy as a whole, and of the need to safeguard this contribution; - To ensure that EU and national policies take account of carers, i.e. promote social inclusion of carers, the development of support services for carers, enable them to remain active in paid employment and maintain a social life. Eurocarers defines a carer as a person who provides unpaid care to someone with a chronic illness, disability or other long lasting health or care need, outside a professional or formal framework.