About Us

Black child with an OP head is laughing about a clown woman

The WHY of efhco.

efhco. believes in contributions to a humanised (health) care based on positive interaction with people in hospitals or other caring institutions. Healthcare clowns are ambassadors for laughter and humor in arts & health, a benefit for all ages in need of a smile!
efhco. raises awareness of the needs for a smile in all working fields, advocates the voice of vulnerable groups in healthcare institutions.
efhco. promotes professional healthcare clowning on a European level, with validated quality of our members’ clown work, based on defined efhco. Standards and Ethics within the special clown training and in all clown performances & programs.
efhco. enables Exchanges of Artistic and Managerial Knowledge and Support, in Research & Development – in Europe and worldwide.

Who is efhco.?

The European Federation of Healthcare Clown Organizations (efhco.) is a non-profit federation established in 2011 to protect and support professional clown work in healthcare environments across Europe. efhco. was founded by eight professional healthcare clown organizations across Europe and has since grown to a strong, growing federation with 20 member organizations from 16 European countries.

efhco. is dedicated to advancing the profession of healthcare clowning, promoting its benefits, and ensuring high standards of practice across Europe.

Eine große Gruppe von Menschen, die freudig posieren und rote Clown-Nasen halten.

**The Founding Story of efhco.**

In the early 1990s, inspired by Michael Christensen’s Clown Care Unit in New York / USA, the first Hospital Clown Organisations began their work in Europe. By the year 2000, discussions about fostering quality criteria started, but it wasn’t until March 2011 that efhco., the European Federation of Hospital Clown Organizations was officially founded in Brussels. This milestone was achieved through the collaboration of eight organizations from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland, Switzerland and Spain, who worked together to define artistic tools, quality control, governance rules, and ethical standards.

Over the next decade, efhco. grew into a significant entity, enhancing the profession and recognition of Healthcare Clowning, contributing to broader the definition of clown artists perform in more working fields than with hospitalized children.
Today, efhco. plays a crucial role in healthcare and humanitarian aid, bringing joy and lightness to those in need for a smile.

The clowns brought so much joy and laughter to my child's hospital stay. It made a huge difference in their recovery and our overall experience. We are so grateful for their presence.

Ein warmes Bild, das Hoffnung und Trost zeigt: eine Pflegerin bringt ein Kind in Behandlung zum Lächeln.

Parent of a young patient

Having the healthcare clowns visit our ward has been a game-changer. They not only lift the spirits of our patients but also help reduce the stress levels of our staff. It's a wonderful initiative that we fully support.

Eine Krankenschwester umarmt einen Clown mit sichtbarer Freude und Rührung, während sie Schutzmasken tragen.

Nurse at a partner hospital

efhco. offers a range of benefits to its members, including:

Community and Networking

Being part of a European and global movement, sharing information and inspiration with others active in the same healthcare clowning environment.

Professional Standards and Ethics

Promoting active exchanges, identifying and setting professional standards and ethics, and maintaining an accessible research and development database.

Support and Resources

Offering administrative and legal assistance, documentation, and a resource center for member organizations.

Quality Label

An established Quality Label to promote best practices among healthcare clown organizations.

Do you want to join?

Learn more about how to become a member.

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The Joint Impact of Healthcare Clowning

Healthcare clowning has a significant positive impact on both children and adults in various healthcare settings. Research has shown that healthcare clowns can:

Reduce Anxiety and Pain

They help reduce children's pre-operative anxiety and their experience of pain during invasive procedures.

Improve Mood and Well-being

They improve the mood and well-being of severely disabled children and adults with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Support Medical Staff

They help reduce the stress experienced by parents and the nursing staff working with hospitalized children.

Enhance Communication

They facilitate better communication between patients, families, and healthcare staff, creating a supportive and compassionate community within healthcare settings.