The World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) has been awarded the 2025 Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) Grant by BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Led by Rural WONCA, the 2022 World Rural Health Conference in Limerick, Ireland, explored the theme Improving Health, Empowering Communities. It highlighted the impact of the global financial crisis on rural healthcare through the grassroots No Doctor No Village campaign, bringing together key stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities.
Outcomes included the Limerick Declaration on Rural Healthcare, a blueprint for improving high-quality healthcare in rural and remote areas; Ireland’s first National Standing Committee for Rural General Practice; a rural teaching hub; and new ambassador and fellowship programmes. This year’s US$20,000 IIP Grant will support and expand these initiatives, and the launch of a Rural Practice Innovation Network.
WONCA was one of three finalists shortlisted for the Incredible Impacts Grant, along with the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA) and International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS). All three associations presented their submissions at the ICCA Congress in Porto, where conference delegates decided on the final winner.
Hosted by IFEA and British Endodontic Society, the 24th World Endodontics Conference in Glasgow, Scotland harnessed creative, engaging activities to boost oral health awareness across diverse communities. Key legacies include a multi-year public exhibit, school-based educational resources, and the “Glasgow Pledge” promoting healthcare economic reform. Grant funding would have helped advance public outreach, support policy advocacy, and expand access to vital pulp therapies in dental care.
Meanwhile, the International Papillomavirus Conference (IPVC), organised by IPVS, earned the 2023 Incredible Impacts Programme Seed Fund Grant, fuelling a transformative year-long initiative. In collaboration with health experts and authorities, IPVS launched targeted efforts to raise HPV awareness, reduce health disparities, and empower marginalised populations. A highlight of the programme included HPV education in high schools to boost vaccine uptake where it is most needed. Grant funding would have gone towards scaling these efforts, such as introducing mobile screening units in underserved areas and delivering culturally relevant education in future host countries.
Incredible Impacts offers two cash awards each year – a main grant of US$20,000 and a seed fund grant of US$5,000. The seed grant was awarded to Autism-Europe, where the US$5,000 grant supported the 14th Autism-Europe Congress which took place in Dublin from September 11 to 13, 2025.
