Pregnancy Complications
Infant- and Family-Centered Developmental Care
Respiratory Infections
Neonatal Eye Health
Hygiene
Rare Diseases
Join us in shaping policies that protect and empower families worldwide.
Lasting change begins with strong, inclusive policies. We support partners across the policy and advocacy cycle – from research and strategy development to stakeholder engagement, public outreach, and impact evaluation. With evidence-based advocacy and inclusive collaboration, we help shape agendas, amplify parent and patient voices, and drive sustainable change.
GFCNI works across the full policy and advocacy cycle, connecting evidence, experience, and influence to create lasting impact.
Our work includes:
Conducting policy research and analysis by mapping regulatory landscapes, identifying stakeholders, synthesizing evidence, and developing policy briefs informed by real-world needs.
Developing advocacy strategies and strengthening capacity through coalition-building, partnership facilitation, narrative development workshops, and training for civil society and parent organizations.
Engaging the public and decision-makers by representing families in policy dialogues, organizing advocacy campaigns and events, and advancing knowledge sharing through media and digital outreach.
Monitoring, evaluating, and learning from advocacy impact by assessing progress, measuring outcomes, and supporting continuous improvement across programs.
By integrating these elements, we help partners strengthen systems, scale impact, and ensure that policy decisions reflect the realities of families and care professionals.
Our advocacy initiatives show how collective action can shape policy and improve care for newborns and their families.
Human Milk Regulation (EU SoHO): Advocacy milestone (May 27, 2024) – for the first time, human milk donation and use are formally included under EU law to protect donors and recipients and ensure quality standards.
World Prematurity Day (Nov 17): Launched in 2008 by EFCNI (now GFCNI) and partners; now a global movement across 100+ countries. In 2025, the World Health Assembly officially designated November 17 as World Prematurity Day.
Together with leading international experts in the field of human milk and neonatal care, GFCNI (formerly EFCNI) has long advocated for formal regulation of human milk donation and use within the European Union.
A major milestone was reached on May 27, 2024, when the Regulation on Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) was officially adopted by EU Institutions. The regulation is set to take effect in mid-2027. For the first time, human milk and its donation are formally included under EU law – ensuring donor protection, quality standards, and equitable access for preterm, sick, and low-birthweight infants.
The regulation promotes the use of human milk as the scientifically proven and internationally recommended nutritional standard for these high-risk infants and marks a landmark achievement in policy-driven neonatal care.
Observed annually on November 17, World Prematurity Day, raises awareness of the challenges and impact of preterm birth. Launched in 2008 by EFCNI (now GFCNI) and European parent organizations, the initiative has grown into a global movement supported by international co-founders – LittleBigSouls (Africa), March of Dimes (USA), and the National Premmie Foundation (Australia).
Today, thousands of individuals and organizations across more than 100 countries unite through events, campaigns, and advocacy efforts to improve outcomes for babies born too soon.
In 2025, the World Health Assembly officially designated November 17 as World Prematurity Day. This WHO endorsement marks a major milestone – calling on governments worldwide to prioritize preterm birth in national health agendas.
The European Standards of Care for Newborn Health (ESCNH) are one of GFCNI’s flagship initiatives, developed in collaboration with more than 220 medical, nursing, and parent experts from over 30 countries. The project defines and promotes a shared, evidence-based framework for high-quality, family-centered care for preterm and sick newborns across Europe.
Led by GFCNI in partnership with professional societies and parent and patient organizations, the ESCNH bring together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and family representatives to identify best practices and translate them into practical standards that can be implemented across diverse healthcare systems.
Covering ethics, patient safety, developmental care, nutrition, and follow-up, the standards ensure that every baby and family receives equitable, high-quality support – no matter where, when, or how they are born.
By coordinating this large-scale, multi-stakeholder initiative, GFCNI serves as a trusted bridge between science, policy, and families, turning shared expertise into lasting improvements in maternal and newborn care.
Whether you’re developing an advocacy strategy, building coalitions, or seeking evidence-based insights to inform policy, GFCNI can support your work every step of the way.
Together, we can shape policies that protect, empower, and promote equitable care for mothers, newborns, and their families.
Our policy and advocacy work often intersects with Research Opportunities and Awareness & Communication, ensuring that evidence and public engagement work hand in hand to inspire meaningful global change.
If you’d like to learn more about collaborating with GFCNI in policy and advocacy, I’d be glad to connect with you.
Teresa Primavesi-Poggio, Head of Policy and Advocacy
teresa.primavesi-poggio(at)gfcni.org
GFCNI is the first global organization and network to unite patients, families, healthcare professionals,
medical staff, and scientists from different disciplines, fields,
and countries – all with the joint goal of advancing the health and quality of care for newborns and their families across the globe.
GFCNI is a non-profit organization established under German public law. Tax Reference Number: 143/235/22619
© 2025 GFCNI. All Rights Reserved.
