Funding Opportunity: Expanding Eye Care Through Government Health Systems

​Eyeglasses are a proven, low-cost solution to a billion-person problem. We are mobilizing significant funding to back committed governments.

​On 19 May 2026, Livelihood Impact Fund will launch the Global Vision Impact Awards, a new catalytic financing initiative awarding grants to governments making the most ambitious, concrete national commitments to expand access to vision care. Come be the first to learn from market shaping leaders in the space about this new opportunity and how to apply. Award winners will be announced at the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health this November.

​WHO SHOULD JOIN:

  • ​Government officials looking to unlock public health funding to support eye health care: Learn what evidence-driven national commitments look like, see what’s working in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and find out how your country can be considered for Global Vision Impact Award funding.

  • ​Funders evaluating scalable models: See a proven, cost-effective intervention already de-risked and ready for additional investment, and meet some of the implementers and government partners positioned to move fast.

  • ​Organizations and advocacy groups interested in cost-effective, scalable interventions: If you’re working to expand access globally to help 800 million people in need see better, we’d love to connect.

​WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

  • ​Why eyeglasses are one of the most cost-effective and overlooked tools in global health and economic development

  • ​How near-vision care improves both health outcomes and economic livelihoods

  • ​How a proven, low-cost intervention can be integrated into existing health systems and adopted at national scale

  • ​How to apply for the Global Vision Impact Awards and what a winning national commitment looks like

​LEARN DIRECTLY FROM THE EXPERTS:

  • ​Moderated by Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO of Vital Strategies

  • ​Leaders at Clinton Health Access Initiative, Last Mile Health, and Lwala Community Alliance who are scaling near-vision care across Nigeria, Ethiopia, India, and Kenya.

  • ​Abigail Steinberg, Executive Director, Livelihood Impact Fund Eyeglasses Initiative

  • ​Stuart Keel, Technical Officer, Vision and Eye Care Programme, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization

  • ​Senior government officials

​WHY EYEGLASSES:

​​Presbyopia, or age-related near-vision impairment, is the leading cause of visual impairment globally, affecting 1.8 billion people. Yet nearly half–826 million people–lack access to simple reading glasses that cost less than USD $1 to manufacture. It remains one of the most neglected issues in global health and development, leaving hundreds of millions of working-age adults unable to perform basic near-vision tasks and participate fully.

​Join us in Geneva on 19 May to learn more.

​Coffee, tea, juice and pastries will be served. 

​Seating is limited to 50 people. Entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 50 attendees who arrive early or on time.

​To help ensure you get a seat, please arrive 10–15 minutes early.