Eurotransplant

Eurotransplant International Foundation is a non-profit organization that coordinates the allocation of donor organs for transplantation among its member European countries. Founded in 1967 as a regional organ exchange program, its aim is to increase transplant opportunities and ensure equitable, efficient allocation across participating programs.

The organization manages the allocation of kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreases, and intestines from deceased donors, and, in some cases, from living donors. Its activities include maintaining waiting lists, matching donors and recipients, and applying allocation rules that balance medical urgency, blood type and tissue compatibility, and time on the waiting list. Eurotransplant operates a centralized database and allocation system used by national transplant centers, and provides data collection, quality assurance, research support, and educational activities for member programs.

Governance is provided by a non-profit structure guided by representatives from member states and transplant centers, with operations aligned to national laws and international ethical standards. The organization collaborates with national authorities and adheres to medical and ethical guidelines relevant to organ donation and transplantation.

Impact and reach are centered on enabling cross-border organ exchanges to maximize available organs and reduce waiting times. Eurotransplant publishes annual reports on donation and transplantation activity and contributes to transplant science through its registries and collaborative projects, supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of European organ transplantation as a whole.