Cancer Advocates programme

UICC’s Cancer Advocates programme provides an opportunity for civil society organisations (CSOs) from low- and middle-income countries to gain the skills and knowledge to engage in national advocacy efforts for improved cancer control. The programme is available in English, French and Spanish.

Participants of the Cancer Advocacy Programme showing their coloured hands

Civil society plays a vital role in shaping national policies, holding governments accountable, and increasing the reach and impact of cancer services. Recognising this, the Cancer Advocates programme seeks to support efforts that lead to sustainable, long-term outcomes at the national level, including: 

  • The adoption of national cancer legislation and policies  

  • Adequate budget allocation for implementing cancer policies  

  • Effective implementation and oversight, with CSOs playing an active role  

Programme overview

Launched in 2018, in response to the 2017 World Health Assembly resolution on cancer prevention and control, the programme helps translate global strategies and commitments into national action and impact. 

Guided by an Advisory Group of internationally renowned experts, the programme engages 20 member organisations is a one-year mentoring opportunity to develop and implement their national advocacy strategies. Participant member organisations benefit from exclusive opportunities, including:  

  • Technical and skills-based training in advocacy, strategy and leadership 

  • Mentorship from a diverse, multidisciplinary pool of professionals 

  • Peer-learning and collaboration with other CSOs 

  • Participation in events and advocacy spaces that amplify their efforts 

A pre-requisite to join the programme is the completion of UICC’s annual ’Advocacy for improved cancer control’ course, designed to support UICC members in developing the necessary skills to advocate effectively for better cancer services and policies in their country and region. Participants learn the basics of building strong networks and coalitions, engaging with key decision-makers, setting clear advocacy goals and crafting effective advocacy messages.  

The programme supports UICC members to:

Activate networks and build national coalitions to support a shared advocacy goal.

Advocate for improved cancer control, including the ability to frame advocacy efforts in the broader health system context.

Address health and social inequities through engagement of key decision makers, including national governments.

 

For UICC Members only

Join the programme 

Applications for the 2025-2026 Cancer Advocates programme will open 16 June – 13 July. To be eligible, organisations and representatives must: 

  • Be a UICC member organisation  

  • Be a civil society organisation working in a low- or middle-income country  

  • Have strong English language skills (while the programme is run in English, French and Spanish, some resources are available only in English)  

  • Have completed UICC’s cohort-based course ‘Advocacy for improved cancer control’ 

  • Commit to active participation in the programme for one year, including webinars, mentorship calls, and in-person meetings  

  • Be actively engaged in national cancer advocacy efforts or planning  

Apply now

Contact us 

Not a UICC member yet? Contact membership@uicc.org to learn how to join the community. For questions about the Cancer Advocates programme, contact canceradvocates@uicc.org

 

Las solicitudes para participar en el programa Cancer Advocates 2025-2026 se abrirán el 16 de junio 2025. Las organizaciones solicitantes y sus representantes deben cumplir los siguientes criterios de admisibilidad: 

  • Ser una organización miembro de la UICC 
  • Ser una organización de la sociedad civil que trabaje en un país de ingresos bajos o medianos 
  • Tener un buen conocimiento del inglés (aunque el programa se desarrollará en inglés, francés y español, es posible que algunos recursos solo estén disponibles en inglés) 
  • Comprometerse a participar activamente en el programa durante un año, incluyendo seminarios web, llamadas de tutoría y reuniones en persona 
  • Comprometerse a participar en los esfuerzos nacionales para mejorar el control del cáncer 

Postula ahora

Dado que esta oportunidad es sólo para miembros de la UICC, si su organización aún no es miembro, le animamos a que se ponga en contacto con membership@uicc.org para estudiar las posibilidades de unirse a la comunidad. 

Un requisito previo para participar en el programa Cancer Advocates de la UICC es haber completado el curso "Promoción y defensa para un mejor control del cáncer", impartido en inglés, español y francés. Este curso proporciona una base para la creación de redes y coaliciones eficaces, la participación de los principales responsables de la toma de decisiones, el establecimiento de objetivos claros y cómo desarrollar mensajes de promoción y defensa. 

Para cualquier duda, no dude en ponerse en contacto con canceradvocates@uicc.org para obtener más información.

Les candidatures au programme Cancer Advocates de l'UICC 2025-2026 seront ouvertes dès le 16 juin 2025. Les organisations candidates et leurs représentant·e·s doivent répondre aux critères d'éligibilité suivants :

  • Être une organisation membre de l'UICC
  • Être une organisation de la société civile travaillant dans un pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire 
  • Avoir une bonne maîtrise de l'anglais (bien que le programme soit délivré en anglais, en français et en espagnol, certaines ressources peuvent n'être disponibles qu'en anglais)
  • S'engager à participer activement au programme pendant un an, notamment aux webinaires, aux appels de mentorat et aux réunions en personne 
  • S'engager à participer aux efforts de plaidoyer nationaux pour améliorer la lutte contre le cancer

Postulez dès maintenant

 

Ce programme étant réservé aux membres de l'UICC, si votre organisation n'est pas encore membre, nous vous encourageons à contacter membership@uicc.org pour explorer les possibilités de rejoindre la communauté. 

Pour participer au programme Cancer Advocates, il est impératif d'avoir suivi le cours « Plaidoyer pour une meilleure lutte contre le cancer », dispensé en anglais, en espagnol et en français. Le cours fournit des connaissances de base sur la formation de réseaux et de coalitions efficaces, l'engagement des décideurs clés, la définition d'objectifs clairs et l’élaboration des messages de plaidoyer. 

Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter à l'adresse canceradvocates@uicc.org.  

Related resources

Advocacy in action: cancer control stories from UICC members
Author(s):
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Download (
2.56 MB
)
uicc_cervical_cancer_advocacy_handbook_fa_single_pages.pdf
Author(s):
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Download (
2.72 MB
)
Breast cancer advocacy handbook
Author(s):
Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Download (
3.17 MB
)
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Last update

Friday 13 June 2025

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