Dear colleagues,
This first newsletter of 2026 arrives as Spring brings lighter days and the first signs of nature waking up again. Birds chirping, flowers sprouting, and the first rays of sunshine warming the skin. It is a welcome sense of renewal, not just to our work but to the everyday lives of those around us. What a great way to look ahead together, as communities start planning outdoor activities, and see what 2026 will bring within and outside our profession.
This year, we are celebrating COTEC’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades of collaboration between National Associations and colleagues who have built a strong, recognisable voice for Occupational Therapy practitioners in Europe. COTEC’s work reaches collaborators within and beyond the Occupational Therapy profession; our networking activities – including the Memorandum of Understanding with ESLA and the attendance of the WFOT General Assembly – continue to strengthen links with partner organisations. Like clearing space in a busy home or adapting routines as the seasons change, these collaborations help create conditions in which people can carry out their daily activities with greater ease, purpose, and participation.
To further develop practitioners’ voices and impact, Spring also brings the launch of our new COTEC CPD Award for European Occupational Therapy practitioners. The award is a practical way to acknowledge everyday professional development and encourage our colleagues to keep learning in ways that support their practice, their clients, and personal development and interests.
That said, I wish you all a calm, reflective Spring filled with occupations and tasks that bring joy and happiness to you, your families, and your communities.
Lisa Wetzlmair-Kephart
Vice-President Finance, on behalf of the COTEC Executive Committee