HOPE, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation, is a European non-profit organisation, created in 1966 representing national public and private hospital associations and hospital owners. With almost 40 organisations from the 28 member states of the European Union, Switzerland and the Republic of Serbia HOPE covers almost the 80% of hospital and social care activity. HOPE mission is to promote improvements in the health of citizens and a uniformly high standard of hospital care by the European Union, fostering efficiency, effectiveness and humanity in the organisation and operations of hospital and health services. HOPE is representing its members in the European arena covering all policies with an impact on hospitals and health services. HOPE contributes to the legislative agenda but also to the non-legislative activities in particular through participation in European projects and joint actions. Since its creation HOPE has produced comparative information on the ways healthcare systems are organised and financed. It includes as well a unique annual exchange programme for health professionals, together with workshops and conferences.