EURORDIS is dedicated to improving the quality of life of all people living with rare diseases in Europe.

It was founded in 1997; it is supported by its members and by the French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM), the European Commission, corporate foundations and the health industry.

[1] EURORDIS is a development of the patient self-advocacy movement, itself widely attributed to AIDS activism.

[3] EURORDIS was the founding partner of Rare Disease Day in 2008 and remains its lead coordinator.

[5] National organisations with a similar focus include National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) in the United States, Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) in Canada,[6] Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) in India, Allianz Chronischer Seltener Erkrankungen [de] (ACHSE) in Germany, and Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras (FEDER) in Spain.