The European CMT Federation (ECMTF) was the initiator of the process of close cooperation with researchers, clinicians and other health professionals in the field of CMT guided by an innovative „partnership approach“ that promises better conditions for research. This process started with the 1st European CMT Specialist Conference, June 2023, where important decisions have been taken, one of which was to establish the European CMT Research Association (ECRA). This role of ECMTF explains its special place in the institutional setting of ECRA, which is the position of the President of ECMTF as the second vice president of ECRA „ex officio“, and the ECRA-membership of several CMT patient organizations.