Healthy Lungs for Life Returns in 2026 with Expanded Global Grants

The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and the European Lung Foundation (ELF) are delighted to announce the return of the Healthy Lungs for Life (HLfL) grants programme for 2026, continuing their shared commitment to supporting community-led initiatives that promote lung health.

HLfL is a global public awareness campaign that funds events and initiatives focused on promoting physical activity, clean air, smoking cessation, vaccination, healthy nutrition, and climate action. Projects are encouraged to align with World Lung Day (25 September), helping to amplify global messages on lung health.

The grants support organisations in delivering community events, educational activities, and digital campaigns, with priority given to projects that demonstrate strong community engagement, address health equity, highlight the impacts of air pollution, and actively involve children and young people.

In 2026, the programme will offer funding to organisations worldwide through:

10 Impact Grants of €1,000 for new projects
Enhanced Impact Grants of €5,000 for returning organisations that have previously received HLfL funding and demonstrated impact

Applications will be assessed across six key themes: Breathe Clean Air, Be Smoke Free, Take the Active Option, Vaccinate, Fight Climate Change, and Eat Well.

Joanna Chorostowska, President of FIRS, said:
“We are proud to continue our partnership with the European Lung Foundation for Healthy Lungs for Life. Supporting community-led initiatives remains central to our mission, as local organisations are uniquely positioned to engage people in meaningful ways and drive lasting change. By expanding the grants programme this year, we aim to empower more communities to act on lung health, raise awareness of preventable respiratory disease, and strengthen global advocacy around clean air, prevention, and healthy living.”

Helen Parks, ELF representative, commented:
“The 2026 Healthy Lungs for Life grants provide an important opportunity to support organisations and communities in delivering activities that can make a real difference to lung health. The programme is practical and adaptable, enabling initiatives to be tailored to local needs. Since its launch in 2014, HLfL has supported events in more than 30 countries, helping to spread the message globally. This year, we are especially keen to see projects that engage children and young people in building healthy habits early in life.”

APYLAV Cameroon, a previous HLfL grant winner, has demonstrated the programme’s impact. Through micro-grants received in 2022 and 2023, the organisation delivered school-based education, public events, media campaigns, and advocacy initiatives on clean air, reaching thousands of people directly and indirectly. Their work has engaged government ministries, gained international recognition, and established them as a leading youth voice in air quality and lung health advocacy, although continued funding remains essential to sustain their efforts.

Elvis Ndikum Achiri, founder and CEO of the Association for the Promotion of Youth Leadership, Advocacy and Volunteerism Cameroon, explained the impact of the award:
“Two years after receiving the grant, we have become an active youth voice promoting clean air and climate health for healthy lungs among school children, families, and the wider public. Our work has attracted the attention of policymakers, including the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Communications, who are now supportive of clean air action in Cameroon. We also received a letter of congratulations from the Minister of Communications for our work.”

Funding and support for the HLfL programme are provided through FIRS and CADSET, helping organisations translate local action into meaningful global impact.