UHC Day 2025: Building your capacity
Welcome back, UHC advocates! This series has explored the power of raising your voice, the importance of understanding global commitments, and the value of bringing diverse voices to the table. But once you have a seat at that table, you want to feel ready to say your piece. Raising your voice is easier when you understand your rights, how the system works, and which advocacy tools to use to communicate effectively with decision-makers. That’s why this week we are focusing on capacity building for social participation.
Building your capacity and confidence
Capacity building is not about becoming a top policy expert. It’s about having the right tools and the confidence to speak with conviction on issues you are passionate about. This post will take you through some key tips to build your capacity and confidence.
Tip 1: Learn about UHC in your country.
Universal health coverage (UHC) looks different in every country, so a good start is learning what shape it takes in yours. Knowing the context you are advocating in gives you more credibility and helps you speak about the topic with conviction. Start by asking some basic questions like:
Which health products and services are free in my country? And which aren’t but should be?
What laws and policies are in place to protect my right to health?
Who is responsible for implementing UHC in my country? Is it national government, state government or local councils?
You can check government or health ministry websites, ask a trusted local health worker, or contact your members of parliament to get answers to these questions. When you know the commitments that have been made, who is in charge and where the gaps are, it’s easier to hold your leaders to account.
Tip 2: Know your rights.
Health is a fundamental human right. All countries recognize this right, and many include this right in their health laws, policies or constitution. From the right to access free or affordable health care, to the right for your community to be consulted on matters which affect your health, find out how your country has defined and enshrined the right to health so that you can build your advocacy around it.
Tip 3: Get to know the key players.
Knowing who’s who in your country’s health system will help you understand who to target with your advocacy and where to direct questions and concerns. Try writing down a simple list of all the players you know of, from local health workers and officials to national leaders.
Don’t forget to consider how players outside the health system - such as community or civil society groups, international donors or media outlets - may factor in.
Tip 4: Make a plan.
Prepare a simple capacity-building plan for yourself or your group. Set goals like familiarizing yourself with the messaging and goals of the UHC Day toolkit, committing some of the research you have done to memory or practising speaking in front of a crowd.
If you are part of a group, lean into joint activities such as workshops or role playing. If you are a solo advocate, consider finding a mentor or having regular discussions with a community leader or health worker. You can also join the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) to connect with other community leaders.
Most importantly, start practising! Stick with clear and simple messages, use stories that mean something to you, and lean into the passion that brought you here in the first place.
Social participation at play
In Botswana, the arrival of a new government in late 2024 created a powerful moment for change. In his first State of the Nation address, the new President pledged to pursue National Health Insurance and expand UHC, a major step toward health equity.
But these promises didn’t happen by chance. Civil society organizations, including youth groups and marginalized networks, had been laying the groundwork for years, raising awareness and calling for stronger, fairer health systems. Through events, public dialogues, and local advocacy, they kept health for all high on the political agenda and made sure leaders knew what their communities expected.
When the political moment came, those voices helped shape the government’s priorities. Soon after taking office, the new administration introduced a bill promoting regular health checks for all citizens, a vital step towards institutionalizing UHC.
This example shows that when people organize, speak up and stay engaged, they don’t just influence how policies are implemented, they help decide what those policies will be in the first place.
What you can do
Contact your decision-makers by sending them a letter, calling them, issuing a statement, or preparing a media release. If we all speak up together, we can show our leaders that the best decisions for health start by placing the voices and needs of populations at the center.
And remember to register for the youth capacity-building workshop on 4 November 2025! We’ll be sharing practical tools and tips to help you harness the power of personal storytelling to influence high-level decision-makers. (The workshop will be available in English, Spanish and French.)
Tool spotlight
The UHC letter-writing, statement and media release templates provide ready-to-use language and tips to make your advocacy more compelling and persuasive.
You can also refer to the CSEM’s capacity-building page for additional tips on how to use these templates.
Thank you for reading. Share this post with your colleagues and stay tuned for our next issue on knowing when and where to engage!