Six projects driving meningitis advocacy for World Meningitis Day 2025

Six organisations across Africa, Asia and Europe have been awarded the World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund 2025. Their initiatives will raise awareness, improve recognition of meningitis symptoms and encourage timely action in the lead-up to World Meningitis Day on 5th October. From football tournaments in Nigeria to policy advocacy in the Philippines, these projects show how community-led action can drive lasting global change.

Nigeria: football and culture against meningitis

In Yobe State, the Roadmap for Women and Youth Development (RAWYOD) is launching Kick Out Meningitis, a vibrant, youth-led campaign designed to engage local communities. Running from August to October, the initiative uses football, storytelling and cultural activities to spark conversations about meningitis.

RAWYOD will carry out house-to-house visits across ten wards, reaching about 3,000 households with educational materials in local languages. Markets, prayer grounds and other public spaces will host “edutainment” events, including street dramas, role-plays and cultural dance, making health information both accessible and memorable.

October will see two large football tournaments in Potiskum and Jakusko. Beyond the matches themselves, these events will include survivor testimonies, health talks and interactive information booths staffed by youth volunteers known as “meningitis champions.” Town-hall meetings and community dialogues with parents, healthcare workers and local leaders will complement the campaign, tackling myths and promoting vaccine confidence.

Survivor stories will also be shared on social media and local radio, ensuring the message extends beyond the immediate audience. With an expected reach of over 10,000 people, Kick Out Meningitis is designed to be both inclusive and impactful.

Kachalla Bukar Mustapha, RAWOD said: "Being selected for the World Meningitis Day 2025 Advocacy Fund is both an honour and a source of deep encouragement for us at RAWYOD. This support renews our hope and strengthens our resolve to empower young people and communities to spread life-saving awareness and kick meningitis out of Yobe State."

Philippines: building a national coalition

In the Philippines, meningococcal meningitis carries a high case-fatality rate, and the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) is determined to change that. Its campaign, Laban Para sa Buhay (Fight for Life), uses the Advocacy Fund to launch a national coalition against meningitis deaths.

Co-led by PFV, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, the coalition will work with government agencies, lawmakers and medical societies to strengthen meningitis prevention and response. From August through October, PFV plans to develop a policy brief and propose a congressional resolution to declare 5 October as Philippine Meningitis Day.

At the same time, PFV will run a digital campaign sharing survivor stories and awareness materials with the goal of reaching over 30,000 people. On World Meningitis Day itself, they aim to light the Quezon City Memorial Circle in purple and PFV will launch a digital advocacy toolkit to equip communities and organisations nationwide. If the congressional resolution succeeds, the Philippines will gain an annual day dedicated to meningitis awareness, ensuring sustained national attention.

Turkey: awareness in every school bag

In Istanbul, the Meningitis Volunteers Association (MVA) is taking a family-focused approach to mark World Meningitis Day 2025. Supported by the advocacy fund, MVA will run a week-long campaign in six schools across under-resourced neighbourhoods, distributing “awareness school bags” to children and their families. The initiative aims to directly reach 300 households and indirectly benefit thousands more.

Meningitis continues to be a serious concern in Turkey, with an estimated 299 deaths recorded in 2021 (Meningitis Progress Tracker). To address this, volunteers will set up information stands outside schools, handing out bags designed to spark conversations at home. Each bag will include an illustrated brochure explaining the symptoms, causes and prevention of meningitis in simple, accessible language. To engage younger children, the packs will also contain colouring books, pencils, and pens.

Families will have the chance to ask questions, learn more about prevention, and receive details about MVA, CoMO, and opportunities to stay connected through newsletters and events. The campaign will also be promoted on local TV and radio, aiming to reach 3,000 people. Follow-up surveys will measure changes in awareness, helping build evidence for future advocacy.

Mehmet Gencel, MVA said: "We’re honoured to be selected for the World Meningitis Day Advocacy Fund. This support will boost our advocacy and activities, while reminding us of the responsibility to use it wisely. Together, let’s work to ensure meaningful and smooth impact."

India: improving recognition and response to childhood meningitis

In Karnataka, the Brain Child Trust (BCT) is rolling out NeuroShield 2025, a three-month effort to improve early recognition and response to childhood meningitis. The project spans Bengaluru, Bijapur and Raichur, reaching both urban and rural communities.

The campaign begins with medical education sessions for more than 200 healthcare providers, focusing on early diagnosis, referral pathways and long-term follow-ups. These sessions will target doctors with limited access to paediatric neurology, helping them spot cases sooner and refer patients faster.

The next stage brings meningitis awareness into schools. Puppet shows, interactive comics and “red-flag” symptom guides will teach more than 3,000 students, teachers and families to recognise warning signs. Flyers in local languages will help extend the message to parents, and teachers will be trained to encourage timely health-seeking behaviour.

Finally, BCT will launch a bilingual media campaign in Kannada and English, featuring reels, survivor stories, animated explainers and a podcast series called Voices of Recovery. On World Meningitis Day, the team plans to light a major Bengaluru landmark in purple, creating a powerful visual symbol of solidarity. Rather than focusing only on numbers, BCT’s approach seeks to build long-term capacity by equipping clinicians, engaging schools and amplifying survivor voices.

Ravi Kumar, BCT said: “This support means so much to us. It gives Brain Child Trust the chance to reach parents, children, and doctors with vital awareness about meningitis. We hope to turn this opportunity into hope - saving lives, preventing heartbreak and protecting the dreams of every child.”

Pakistan: shielding lives in Multan

In Multan, the Helping Hands Foundation (HHF) is launching Shielding Lives, a three-week campaign blending grassroots engagement with digital advocacy.

The campaign begins in schools, where storytelling sessions, posters and workshops will teach children aged 8 to 16 about meningitis. These young participants will serve as “awareness ambassadors,” sharing what they learn with their families. At the same time, ten trained health workers will lead community sessions in Urdu and Saraiki, focusing on groups often missed by health campaigns, such as mothers, elderly residents and underserved families.

HHF will also run free clinics providing check-ups, referrals and vaccine information, ensuring direct health support alongside education. Another innovative aspect of the campaign is outreach to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Working through visa centres, travel agencies and religious leaders, HHF expects to reach over 50,000 travellers with essential prevention messages.

To keep awareness alive beyond World Meningitis Day, the organisation will launch a bilingual blog, supported by videos, reels and survivor testimonials. The campaign will conclude on 5th October with a public walk and landmark lighting, honouring those affected and mobilising the community.

Dr. Abdul Mannan Mustafa, HHF said: “Being selected is a proud moment for us. This support means hope - hope for stronger awareness, better prevention and healthier futures for our communities and pilgrims. Together, we can light the path ahead against meningitis and save lives.”

Uganda: from radio to policy advocacy

In Uganda’s Gulu District, Sunday Jimmy Obol is leading a three-month campaign that combines grassroots outreach with policy advocacy. Building on six years of experience in public health, Jimmy aims to strengthen early detection, vaccine uptake and prevention services.

The first stage focuses on preparation, with materials translated into local languages, volunteer recruitment and engagement with schools, faith groups and village leaders. Survivor testimonies will play a central role, helping to create an emotional connection with the issue.

During the second month, activities intensify with school outreach, radio talk shows and survivor storytelling. Weekly broadcasts are expected to reach about 20,000 listeners, while trained youth peer educators and health workers will spread the message within communities.

The final phase shifts to advocacy. Strategic dialogues with the Ministry of Health and Gulu District officials will push for sustainable funding and the integration of meningitis prevention into routine services. Vaccination drives will target underserved areas, and a district-wide awareness week in October will bring schools, faith leaders and local officials together under one message: meningitis is preventable, and action saves lives.

Jimmy said: "I am honoured to receive this fund, a vital step for the Gulu district of Acholi region within the meningitis belt. This support enables us to start amplifying awareness of risks, symptoms, and prevention, ensuring communities are equipped to act early, protect lives and sustain resilience against meningitis for generations to come.”

A global call to action

From Turkey to the Philippines, these six projects highlight the power of local action in driving global change. Whether through football tournaments, puppet shows, pilgrim outreach or legislative advocacy, communities are mobilising to fight meningitis and protect future generations.

As World Meningitis Day 2025 approaches, now is the time to get involved. Host an event, share survivor stories, or light a landmark in solidarity. Every action counts. To find resources and inspiration, explore the World Meningitis Day campaign toolkit and join the movement to defeat meningitis.