Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are a cornerstone of public health systems worldwide, strengthening countries’ capacity to detect, investigate, and respond to health threats. Through practice-based training embedded within national systems, FETPs support surveillance, outbreak response, and evidence-informed decision-making. Ensuring the sustainability and institutionalization of these programs is essential to maintain country ownership, continuity, and long-term public health impact.

To support these efforts, EMPHNET has released the FETP Advocacy Toolkit for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to strengthen country-led advocacy aimed at advancing the sustainability and institutionalization of FETPs.

The toolkit was developed following EMPHNET’s regional sustainability workshop held in May 2025, which included a dedicated session on advocacy and its role in advancing long-term program sustainability. During the EMPHNET FETP Board of Directors meeting held after the workshop, it was recommended that EMPHNET work more closely with country programs to strengthen their advocacy efforts. The development of the toolkit responds directly to this recommendation.

A Practical Resource for Country Programs

The FETP Advocacy Toolkit is designed as a practical resource for FETP residents, graduates, program directors, ambassadors, and technical teams. It provides structured guidance to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of advocacy initiatives at country level.

The toolkit brings together advocacy concepts tailored to the FETP context and translates them into actionable steps that country programs can apply within their own settings. It places particular emphasis on advocacy as a means to support institutionalization, sustainability, and stronger integration of FETPs within national health systems.

What the Toolkit Includes

The toolkit includes:

• An overview of advocacy concepts relevant to FETPs
• Clear guidance on the distinction between advocacy and visibility
• Step-by-step support for planning advocacy efforts
• Tools for stakeholder mapping and message development
• Ready-to-use templates, including policy briefs, fact sheets, success stories, media pitches, and elevator pitches

These components are designed to support evidence-based, structured advocacy aligned with national public health priorities.

Supporting Country-Led Advocacy

By equipping country teams with practical tools and guidance, the toolkit supports a shift toward country-led advocacy. It enables FETP teams to take an active role in planning and implementing advocacy efforts that reflect their national context and priorities.

The toolkit supports countries in translating technical achievements into advocacy actions that contribute to stronger positioning of FETPs within national health systems.

Availability

The FETP Advocacy Toolkit has been shared with FETP directors across the network and is currently endorsed in English. A follow-up announcement will be shared once the Arabic edition becomes available.

Access the Toolkit

The FETP Advocacy Toolkit for the EMR is now available and can be accessed here.