The Advocacy Institute is NCDA’s flagship Capacity Development programme, strengthening NCD alliances around the world to lead bold, locally-driven advocacy initiatives.
Since 2017, the Advocacy Institute has fostered impactful advocacy across 29 countries and seven regions—proving that local action can fuel global change. Through capacity-building, tailored support, and strategic partnerships, we help alliances strengthen their voice, drive policy change, and connect national efforts to the global NCD movement.
Across three dynamic tracks the Advocacy Institute meets NCD alliances where they are in their advocacy journey.
“Our experience has been great: among all of the stakeholders we’ve worked with, NCD Alliance has the best grasp of what actually happens on the ground, including the challenges of managing an alliance, civil society organisations, and people living with NCDs.”
Seed Track: Supported 5 alliances. Of these 4 formally registered as legal entities.
Accelerator Tracks (2 thematic programmes):
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCD Alliance launched the Civil Society Solidarity Fund on NCDs and COVID-19—a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting national and regional alliances to amplify advocacy, ensure continuity of care, and elevate the voices of people living with NCDs.
Since 2020, the Fund has awarded grants to nearly 40 alliances worldwide, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Now in its second year, the Fund continues to drive recovery, resilience, and inclusive health systems by strengthening NCD civil society when it's needed most.
Local Impact
After years of advocacy by the Tanzania NCD Alliance (TANCDA) and national civil society, the country’s Universal Health Insurance bill was signed into law on 6 December 2023. This law protects the right to health services for all Tanzanians, regardless of ability to pay, and can be considered an inspiring example. The legislation was passed unanimously, reflecting a collective commitment to healthcare reform.
“We know where we are coming from, we know where we are going, and we have partnerships that are truly meaningful. These developments have really positioned ANN as a credible entity among stakeholders of the NCD response in Africa.”
Local Impact
Thanks to sustained advocacy by Mexico Salud-Hable, a long-term participant of the Advocacy Institute since 2017, Mexico achieved a major public health victory in 2023.
A landmark law entered into force in September, limiting industrially-produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) to a maximum of 2% of total fat and banning partially hydrogenated oils—the main source of iTFAs—from all foods and drinks in Mexico.
Mexico Salud-Hable’s continuous advocacy, supported through the Advocacy Institute, was instrumental in driving this significant policy change, which will protect millions of lives and establish a model for NCD prevention across the region.
The current Advocacy Institute is made possible through our partnerships with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Swedish International Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Resolve To Save Lives (RTSL), Bristol Myers Squibb —transforming advocacy potential into real-world policy impact.
