Healthy Lungs for Life (HLfL), a global awareness campaign led by ELF and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), has awarded 22 community grants of €1,000 each to support lung health events and initiatives taking place throughout 2025.
Each year, ELF and ERS award grants to support public engagement activities aligned with the HLfL campaign’s core value and topics. This year, the programme has been strengthened thanks to the generous support of CADSET (Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification programme) and the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS). Their support enabled us to award additional grants this year, making it the largest number of grants awarded in a single year since the initiative began.
Grants were available to support public engagement activities aligned with the HLfL campaign’s core aims, with a particular focus on 2 themes for 2025:
While many funded projects will be delivered to coincide with World Lung Day, others will take place at different points during the year, reflecting a broad commitment to sustainable and locally inspired lung health outreach. The selected initiatives include a diverse range of activities across multiple countries and communities. These include educational workshops and lung function testing events, awareness campaigns and exciting school-based interventions.
The list of 2025 grant recipients is featured below. ELF and ERS look forward to highlighting the impact of these initiatives as the year progresses.
The “Clean Air, Stronger Lungs” project raises awareness of the impact of air pollution on lung health in Natitingou, Benin. Through education, free lung screenings and community outreach, the initiative promotes prevention, early detection and healthier habits, with a particular focus on women and children.
In Colombia, the League is launching a school-based initiative to prevent e-cigarette use among youth. Through interactive workshops and community engagement, the project targets both students and adults to support vape-free lifestyles and align with national anti-vaping policies.
The “Breathe Easy Gambia” initiative will mark World Lung Day with public education events and free lung screenings. Targeting over 1,500 individuals, the project highlights the risks of air pollution and smoking while offering 200 lung function tests to support early diagnosis and prevention.
In Ghana’s Volta Region, the “Breathe Better Initiative” is training 100 sports coaches and educators as lung health advocates. Using soccer as a platform, the programme aims to reach over 20,000 people with messages on clean air, smoking cessation, physical activity and vaccination.
In India, the “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Lives” campaign focuses on protecting vulnerable populations from air pollution-related lung diseases. The initiative includes health check-ups, educational events and distribution of masks and air-purifying plants, empowering communities through advocacy and awareness.
In Jakarta, where air pollution levels exceed WHO limits, this World Lung Day project combines a 30-day no-smoking challenge, lung health screenings, an air-purifying plant workshop and lung-friendly exercise sessions. Thousands are expected to participate, particularly during Car-Free Day events, supported by Universitas Indonesia.
In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, an interactive mobile theatre project educates youth aged 13–15 and their families about the health risks of smoking and vehicle-related pollution. Working across four schools, the initiative fosters healthier choices and environmental awareness.
In Kibera, Nairobi, a World Lung Day campaign focuses on tobacco prevention among young people. Educational sessions, drama and physical challenges in 2 schools aim to counter peer pressure and tobacco marketing, reaching 250 students and wider audiences through media.
The “Kick Tobacco, Not the Ball” campaign uses sports such as football and netball to raise awareness of tobacco-related lung diseases. With over 10,000 direct participants and an online reach exceeding 1 million, the initiative promotes smoke-free lifestyles and youth advocacy.
This project links climate change and lung health, addressing how air pollution and extreme weather events contribute to lung diseases. Through workshops, outreach and digital materials, it supports preventive action and clean air policy advocacy in vulnerable communities.
“Breathe Life” addresses the respiratory effects of climate change and pollution in Mozambique. The project reaches around 2,000 individuals directly through workshops, school campaigns and radio broadcasts, with a focus on engaging women and youth in advocating for clean air.
In Kathmandu, this initiative seeks to reduce COPD incidence by building healthcare capacity and engaging youth in awareness and screening efforts. The project promotes sustainable, community-driven approaches to improve early detection and long-term lung health.
Targeting high TB-burden communities, this project educates young people on the link between smoking and TB. By establishing anti-smoking clubs and promoting positive behaviour change, it seeks to foster healthier lung habits among 300 young people and their wider communities.
This school-based campaign in Sokoto integrates lung health education with climate action. By involving students in active learning, it encourages awareness of air quality and respiratory health and inspires youth-led advocacy for cleaner environments.
Team Synergy’s nationwide campaign addresses increased use of vaping, smoking and smokeless tobacco among students. Reaching over 10,000 individuals directly and 50,000 indirectly, the initiative spans hospitals, schools and universities, promoting tobacco control and lung health.
This project uses sports as a tool to educate youth in Lahore about the respiratory effects of air pollution and climate change. Spirometry demonstrations and interactive activities aim to build awareness and support advocacy for environmental health.
In Iloilo Province, this multifaceted campaign combines lung health testing, anti-smoking efforts, school clean air programmes and mangrove planting. Reaching more than 30,000 people, it promotes lung health and supports policy change to improve air quality.
“Healthy Breath, Healthy Life” empowers Slovenian adolescents through workshops on air quality, smoking, physical activity and climate change. Youth participants create and share educational content, encouraging peers and communities to adopt healthier habits.
This youth-led digital campaign in Tanzania combats shisha and tobacco use through creative content including cartoons, animations and podcasts. Launched around World Lung Day, it promotes informed choices, quitting support and lung health advocacy.
PHURDA’s Ukraine project includes school lectures, lung health testing, a video flash mob (“Breath of Freedom”), billboard campaigns and a recycling initiative. These activities connect lung health with environmental responsibility and promote healthier lifestyles.
This cross-continental initiative supports a 6km awareness ride in Cartagena, Colombia, marking the opening of the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. The event unites local health workers and international stakeholders in support of clean air and lung health.
APYLAV is supporting youth delegates from developing countries to attend the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena. By enabling youth participation, the project strengthens the global response to the respiratory health impacts of air pollution.
