FWD AMR-RefLabCap

Collaborative partners

• Statens Serum Institut (lead)
• Technical University of Denmark

The main aim of the project is to improve microbiology reference laboratory functions at local, regional and national levels in all countries participating in the EU Health Programme for testing and surveillance of AMR in Salmonella and Campylobacter in human samples.

The FWD AMR-RefLabCap project is based on a network of European national public health reference laboratories in 37 countries in the field of AMR in Salmonella and Campylobacter. The project provides a range of capacity building activities to the laboratory network that include:

• Guidance documents: standard WGS protocol, model protocol for national surveillance of AMR, guidance document on internal quality control schemes, etc.
• Training: AMR testing and surveillance, outbreak investigations, WGS data analysis and interpretation, etc.
• Annual EQAs: AST and genotypic AMR prediction
• Annual Ring trials to assess bioinformatic pipelines
• Networking activities: network meetings, workshops, etc.
• Targeted support for countries with the greatest needs: action plan development and implementation, local/regional capacity building support, support for national laboratory network establishment.

Well-functioning microbiology reference laboratory services are essential to support the implementation of effective action to combat AMR as set out in the European One-Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance COM (2017)339 and Decision (EU) 1082/2013 on serious cross-border health threats.

The FWD AMR-RefLabCap project was initiated as a four-year project by the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA; by April 2021 the new Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has taken over), on behalf of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE of the European Commission) and in close cooperation with the ECDC.

Project website 
Effective start/end date: 12/2020 → 12/2024
Contact: fwdamr@ssi.dk