Strengthening Community-Based Groups for People Affected by Skin-NTDs: Lessons from the UPLIFT Project
Location(s)
About the event
Description:
Join a global conversation on the future of Community-Based Groups and connect with practitioners, researchers, implementing organizations, and advocates working to improve the lives of people affected by NTDs.
Community-Based Groups (CBGs) are a vital strategy for supporting people affected by leprosy and other skin-related NTDs. Yet, evidence on what makes them effective, impactful, and sustainable remains limited.
The UPLIFT study addresses this gap by testing a community-based model combining self-care, psychosocial support and group leadership to improve well-being, reduce stigma, and strengthen social inclusion for people affected by leprosy and other skin-related NTDs.
The session will present study outcomes, discuss practical implications, and introduce guidance documents based on the findings of the UPLIFT Project. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with project partners, researchers, and implementation experts through presentations and moderated discussion.
Objectives:
- Learn what the UPLIFT study uncovered about building Community-Based Groups that are not only effective, but, replicable, and led by group members themselves.
- Explore how the lessons from UPLIFT can be applied to future programs, policies, and investments across the NTD sector and related fields.
- Gain practical insights that can help strengthen community-led approaches to self-care, psychosocial support, inclusion, and long-term well-being among people affected by leprosy and other skin-NTDs.
- Become familiar with the Implementation Manual and Facilitation Guide for Community-Based Groups and their potential applications.
Date & Time
Sep 9, 2026 7:00 AM EST