This year marks a pivotal moment for the global noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) agenda as the community looks toward the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September 2025. The T1D Community Fund joined more than 600 advocates, policymakers, funders, and technical experts at the Noncommunicable Diseases Alliance (NCDA) Forum in February 2025 to amplify their voices and collaborate with key stakeholders in the fight against NCDs, including type 1 diabetes.
Panorama Global provided travel scholarships to thirty grantee partner organizations to attend the NCDA Forum, connect with key stakeholders, and build collective T1D advocacy strategies to advance the global conversation on NCDs and type 1 diabetes. The Forum was a powerful platform for advancing urgent action and integrating diverse perspectives, including grassroots leaders from The T1D Community Fund.
The NCDA Forum underscored the power of collaboration. Thirty representatives from The T1D Community Fund’s network of partners, representing 26 community-based organizations across 23 countries, gathered to engage with the broader NCD community. This served as the first in-person gathering for all grantee partners, reinforcing the collective strength of grassroots leaders dedicated to T1D advocacy. The invaluable opportunity to connect in person to discuss stories of impact, partnership opportunities, and advocacy priorities provided a foundation for deeper collaboration.
Bridget McNulty, Co-Founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community, based in South Africa, described her experience, "What's been so extraordinary about this week at the NCDA Forum is that we've all been able to be together in the same room— [23] different countries all working in diabetes and community-based organizations, and we've all been able to collaborate. It feels kind of magical."
The day before the Forum kicked off, The T1D Community Fund hosted a pre-conference workshop, Collaborate for Change: Advancing T1D Advocacy. The workshop encouraged unity and strengthened the voice of the T1D community within the global NCD context. Participants engaged in interactive discussions, peer learning, and strategy-building exercises to identify key advocacy priorities and influential stakeholders who could support collective action. Reflecting on the session, a speaker from the NCDA team shared that the energy in the room was palpable, and partners carried this energy forward into the Forum, sharing perspectives in panel discussions and asking thought-provoking questions in satellite sessions.
Allan Kiwanuka, Founder and Executive Director of Kabukye Trust, based in Uganda, shared, "For us, this is about connection, being inspired, and learning. We've made tons of connections, we've learned a lot, and we'd like to thank Panorama Global for making it happen."
The T1D Community Fund grantee partners engaged deeply at the Forum, participating in panels and workshops, hosting an exhibition booth, and engaging in meaningful dialogue that elevated the conversation around diabetes care, advocacy, and innovation.
Rachel Nungu, Program Manager of the Tanzania Diabetes Association, spoke on a panel moderated by the World Diabetes Foundation to discuss the critical role of civil society in national NCD response implementation. Rachel shared insights on her work to establish an NCD unit within Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, a crucial step to prioritize awareness, screening, and healthcare provider training. “This is the first NCDA Forum I’ve attended, and it is great to be here meeting people from many different countries, enriching my own perspective, and giving me [the] courage to continue moving forward and being a part of such a big and global movement.”
Bridget McNulty took to the Community Stage to highlight the Sweet Life Diabetes WhatsApp-based chatbot, an innovative tool designed to provide accessible diabetes education to families. Developed with direct input from community members, the chatbot provides essential guidance on diabetes management in English and isiZulu, ensuring broader reach and impact.
One of the most compelling themes at the Forum was the need for integration. Type 1 diabetes cannot be addressed in isolation—it requires a comprehensive approach within broader health systems. Discussions reinforced that while T1D must remain central to global health conversations, meaningful progress will come from aligning efforts across the entire NCD spectrum. This approach strengthens the overall NCD agenda and ensures broad-based advocacy for equitable, inclusive health systems.
Ramki VA Ramakrishna, Trustee of SAMATVAM Trust, based in Bangalore, India reflected, "Advocacy is such a key part of raising awareness about T1D, which remains abysmally low in the ecosystem. As I step out of this event, our number one objective will be to increase awareness among key stakeholders—including medical professionals, school staff, and pediatricians in rural areas—so more children with T1D can be diagnosed early and receive the best care."
Perhaps most powerfully, the Forum underscored the urgency for action. With the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs approaching, the moment for leadership is now. NCDs, including type 1 diabetes, present growing challenges that demand urgent action. The T1D Community Fund grantee partners leveraged this global convening to share their challenges and strengthen their advocacy strategies—arming themselves with the tools, networks, and momentum to influence decision-makers at the highest levels.
The NCDA Forum’s spirit of collaboration, integration, and urgency will strengthen The T1D Community Fund’s work. Our grantee partners— including the soon-to-be-announced new cohort—are leaders working to ensure that T1D remains central to the NCD agenda. The T1D Community Fund team is transforming the Forum’s powerful discussions into a collective advocacy agenda for concrete action—stay tuned for more updates!
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