From a container clinic in Tanzania to 584 partnerships in 119 countries, we have grown to become a leading global funder of diabetes prevention and care projects in low- and middle-income countries.

Since 2002, we and our partners have worked to change the course of the disease. Join us in celebrating 20 years of improving lives together.

These are some of our most defining moments

Let's revisit WDF’s journey

2002—2009

The WDF board and secretariat
– recognising the enormity of the challenge – seek to place diabetes firmly on the global agenda.

They gather information, gain experience, and begin supporting the first projects.

FOUNDING YEARS

A foundation is born

Former Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Rebien Sørensen recalls the access to medicines debate – and the story before that story – that led to the creation of WDF.

PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS

Temeke clinic, 2003

Step by Step, 2003

STEP BY STEP

WDF initiates a programme to improve diabetic foot care, launching in India and Tanzania. Since then, the 'Step by Step' model has been widely applied in other countries.

A container donated by Maersk is transformed into a diabetes clinic in Temeke, Tanzania. The successful pilot paves the way for similar clinics in the Philippines, Cambodia, and elsewhere.

WDF Patron HRH Princess Benedikte, India, 2004

Cambodia fundraiser, 2007

FUNDRAISERS
LAUNCHED

CLEAR VISION

The first WDF-supported project on diabetic retinopathy is initiated in Tamil Nadu, India. The project aims to strengthen the awareness of diabetes complications and improve diabetic eye care.

School health programme, India, 2007

PRIMARY PREVENTION

A new fundraising programme begins, allowing donors to directly support pilots and small-scale projects.

The first WDF-supported school health promotion project begins in India. The students learn about diabetes and healthy lifestyles, and act as ambassadors by sharing their knowledge.

GLOBAL
AWARENESS
RAISING

Diabetes Action Now, 2004

Global Diabetes Walk, India, 2009

WALK FOR
CHANGE

WDF launches the Global Diabetes Walk campaign in support of World Diabetes Day. It becomes an annual event, reaching the 1 million participant milestone in 2017.

WDF supports Diabetes Action Now, the IDF Diabetes Atlas and other diabetes awareness raising efforts. UN Resolution 61/225 establishing World Diabetes Day is a key outcome.

2010—2015

EXPANSION & NETWORKING

WDF expands to new focus areas, its portfolio of projects grows, and strong long-term partnerships are established.

Women’s health is a nation’s wealth

Drs Anil Kapur and Hema Divakar discuss their long-term partnership to put gestational diabetes on the global agenda.

Child with type 1 diabetes, 2012

ADDRESSING TYPE 1 DIABETES

Expert Meeting on Indigenous People, 2012

ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES

WDF supports projects targeting indigenous populations and with IDF co-hosts the first Expert Meeting on Indigenous Peoples, Diabetes and Development. Other advocacy efforts follow.

WDF initiates its own projects focused on type 1 diabetes, and also supports initiatives led by Novo Nordisk to provide care for this highly vulnerable population.

Woman in healthy pregnancy project, Colombia, 2013

HEALTHIER PREGNANCIES

WDF supports healthy pregnancy projects and partners with the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and others to raise awareness about hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.

TACKLING DIABETES & TB
TOGETHER

TB-Diabetes film 'The Perfect Storm', 2015-16

WDF supports TB-diabetes projects and joins advocacy efforts led by WHO and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. A collaborative framework for care, practical guidance for health workers, a call to action and a film are produced.

2016—2019

The planted seeds begin to bear fruit and the results of WDF projects are increasingly evident. The WDF embraces its role as an agent of change.

CONVENER &
AGENT OF CHANGE

Stepping into the gap, together

Kenya’s National Diabetes Strategy opened up space for more awareness and patient empowerment. Hanne Strandgaard and Reuben Magako discuss what happened next.

Kenyan minister at diabetes screening, 2016

DIABETES, A STRATEGIC PRIORITY

Refugee child, 2017

DIABETES IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES

WDF increases its work with refugees and internally displaced populations. Learnings from WDF's long-term partnership with UNRWA to prevent and treat diabetes among Palestinian refugees are key.

With WDF support, Kenya is the first African country to finalise the first phase of a national diabetes programme. WDF helps Tanzania, Malawi, Mali, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Palestine, Argentina and others launch national diabetes and NCD programmes.

NEW IDEAS FOR ACTIVATING COMMUNITIES

Health promotion activity, Sri Lanka, 2017

New solutions for diabetes awareness and prevention campaigns are piloted by WDF partners, many focusing on community health workers and volunteers.

CONVENING STAKEHOLDERS

Global Dialogue on Partnerships for Sustainable Financing of NCD Prevention and Control, 2018

WDF continues its tradition of organising and co-hosting summits with its global partners, creating opportunities for diabetes stakeholders to network, advocate and learn.

2019— Ongoing

SETTING THE AGENDA ON NCDS

WDF is well established as a global leader not only in the diabetes sphere but also within the NCD space. Through innovation and partnerships, the WDF readies itself to meet the challenges of the future.

Philanthropy is serious business

​WDF Managing Director Leif Fenger Jensen discusses what makes him proud, the importance of partnerships and patience, and what lies ahead.

NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Digital Compass workshop, Sri Lanka, 2021

WDF and Red Cross partnership, 2021

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

WDF partners on new projects to pilot innovative solutions for diabetes prevention and care, including sustainable financing methods and a digital “Diabetes Compass” for healthcare workers.

WDF, a member of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism since 2015, adds partnerships with the OECD, NCD Alliance, Red Cross, UNHCR, The Defeat NCD Partnership and other global organisations.

2021

Improving diabetes care & prevention in central Asia

As its 20th birthday approaches, the WDF enters into new partnerships with intergovernmental organisations and global NGOs.

WHO/ Uka Borregaard © WHO/Europe