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The 8th International Capacity Building Program, organized under the leadership of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, successfully brought together civil society leaders and public health experts from around the world. Held between April 30 and May 2, 2025, at the Green Crescent Headquarters in Istanbul, the program welcomed 120 participants from 60 countries. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in 12 workshops led by field experts and benefited from insights shared by 42 distinguished speakers, including representatives from Country Green Crescents. Key topics included capacity development, project design, destigmatization in treatment and recovery, and international advocacy—offering a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of addiction prevention. Day 1: Opening Remarks and Collaborative Spirit The event began with keynote speeches from the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the International Federation of Green Crescent. Delegates from different countries gathered to share their knowledge and experiences, sending a message of solidarity and cooperation. Morning sessions featured global experts discussing addiction treatment, recovery processes, volunteerism, and public health. Notable contributions came from Esbjorn Hornberg (Movendi International), Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri (International Society of Addiction Medicine), Dr. Dzmitry Krupchanka (World Health Organization), Karen Peters (UNODC), and Guglielmo Schinina (International Organization for Migration), who addressed topics ranging from global prevention strategies to substance use among displaced populations. The day continued with parallel training sessions focused on prevention strategies and concluded with a social gathering including a Bosphorus cruise and gala dinner at night. Day 2: Thematic Deep Dives and Country Spotlights The second day began with international panel sessions exploring topics such as tobacco control, alcohol policies, technology addiction, and the preventive role of civil society. Speakers including Cornel Radu-Loghin (European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention), Florence Berteletti (European Alcohol Policy Alliance), and Dr. Tasnim Atatrah (World Health Organization, Turkey Office) shared insights on policy coherence, multisectoral collaboration, and regional approaches. Through parallel workshops, participants engaged with themes relevant to their specific interests. Representatives from Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Everest Green Crescent (Nepal), and Turkish Green Crescent Society presented successful practices and fieldwork examples, contributing to a robust exchange of on-the-ground experiences. Day 3: Education, Sustainability, and Gender Sensitivity The final day started with a session highlighting the role of trainers in awareness-raising efforts. The agenda moved on to key themes like sustainable financing, gender-sensitive approaches, and international educational collaborations. A workshop led by Jan Peloza (Impact Hub Ljubljana) focused on practical strategies for sustainable resource mobilization. Institutions like UNODC ROSEE, UN Women, Africa House, and the Maarif Foundation added depth to the discussions and emphasized collaborative pathways for future engagement. Green Crescents from Stardom Association (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia, and Thai Green Crescent shared innovative projects aimed at empowering youth, and enhancing intercultural collaboration. These presentations provided a wealth of practical insights, showcasing real-world impact and cross-border learning. If you want to reach the Program Agenda please click

The International Federation of Green Crescent is pleased to announce the 8th International Capacity Building Program, scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 2, 2025, at Sepetçiler Pavilion in Istanbul, Turkey. This annual event aims to enhance the scientific, academic, and advocacy capacities of Country Green Crescents, fostering their national, regional, and international engagement in addiction prevention and public health efforts. This year’s program will bring together representatives from many NGOs in prevention worldwide, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and skill development. The program will also include motivational talks, workshops and interactive sessions where Country Green Crescents will present case studies from their respective regions. Since its inception in 2016, the International Capacity Building Program has hosted a total of 1,464 participants from various countries. The initiative has grown steadily, with increasing participation each year, reflecting the commitment of the Green Crescent Movement to global collaboration and capacity building. The 8th International Capacity Building Program is set to be a key milestone in strengthening the global effort to raise awareness for healthier societies.