Germs like bacteria and viruses are part of our natural environment. They spread through various transmission pathways, with hands being one of the most common and critical. According to the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG), up to 80% of all infectious diseases are spread by hand contact. This includes illnesses such as colds, the flu, and gastrointestinal infections (Source: BIÖG / Infektionsschutz [German]).
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 1,000 children under the age of five die every day due to poor hygiene and unsafe water. Regular and thorough handwashing with soap and water breaks the chain of infection and remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect against infectious diseases.
The importance of hand hygiene became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research confirms that proper handwashing significantly reduces the risk of virus transmission (Source: WHO, 2020).
The earlier children learn healthy hygiene habits, the more easily those behaviors become part of their daily routine. To support this important development, we—then known as the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)—launched the Wash Your Hands – It's Easy! initiative in partnership with the Neven Subotic Foundation in October 2017 at Klinikum Dortmund in Germany.
Our goal is to teach children and adolescents how to wash their hands properly in a way that is age-appropriate, engaging, and easy to understand. We combine our own awareness campaigns with close collaboration with daycare centers, schools, ministries, and other educational institutions to reach young people effectively and sustainably.
Become part of the Wash Your Hands – It's Easy! initiative and help raise awareness as a hand hygiene ambassador. Together, we can promote simple yet powerful hygiene practices—building a healthier future for children around the world.
Teaching hand hygiene can be creative, practical, and impactful—especially when integrated into everyday life. Here are some simple ways to get started:
Plan together: Collaborate with colleagues, parents, or your educational team to find meaningful ways to introduce hand hygiene in your classroom, care center, or home.
Use our materials: Print out your preferred posters and templates and display them in highly visible places—such as the classroom, group area, or restroom.
We offer a wide range of free educational materials designed for children, teenagers, and adults. These resources were developed through the creative efforts of many contributors and represent a significant investment of time and resources by EFCNI (now GFCNI) and the Neven Subotic Foundation.
To ensure the materials are used in the spirit of the initiative, please follow these usage guidelines:
Do not alter the layout or design of the provided templates or images.
Do not remove or modify the logos of EFCNI or the Neven Subotic Foundation.
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
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