WDF is a leading funder of diabetes prevention and care projects in low- and middle-income countries
The World Diabetes Foundation was founded in 2002 as an independent foundation by Novo Nordisk A/S, and today is a leading global funder of diabetes prevention and care projects in low- and middle-income countries.
We work through the power of partnerships
Since 2002, the World Diabetes Foundation has provided 223.5 million EUR in funding to 621 partnership projects in 120 countries. For every euro provided by WDF, project partners raise approximately 2 euros in cash or as in-kind donations from other sources.
To enhance equity in access to diabetes care and prevention in low- and middle income countries.
We work through the power of partnerships to strengthen access to care, reduce prevalence and advance the NCD agenda for people living in vulnerable situations.
To address the rising burden of diabetes and related NCDs in LMICs, we need to scale up our operating model and financing
To reach more people and enhance efficiency of health services, we will pursue digital health solutions
To ensure sustainable impact, we need locally anchored, context specific interventions and partners
To enhance the effect of preventive measures, we take a life course approach focusing on windows of opportunity (childhood, adolescence, women's reproductive years)
To enable better health outcomes, we need resilient health systems emphasising integrated and people-centered care, especially at primary and community levels
To enhance equity in access to care and prevention, we must consider people living in vulnerable situations and gender dimensions
The World Diabetes Foundation is an independent and non-profit foundation governed by the Danish Foundation Act. WDF is based in Denmark and supervised by the Civil Affairs Agency, Denmark's authority for non-commercial foundations. It is governed by an independent Board of Directors.
The World Diabetes Foundation’s income derives primarily from a Donation Agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S, which is updated on a rolling basis. In 2024, WDF received DKK 120 million as an annual contribution under the Donation Agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S.
WDF also receives donations from the Novo Nordisk Foundation through project-specific grants. The first grant was initiated at the beginning of 2019 when the Novo Nordisk Foundation approved the first grant to WDF to support a national NCD response in Tanzania. Since then, the Novo Nordisk Foundation has approved several applications from WDF, enabling WDF to scale up country-specific projects. Novo Nordisk Foundation grants to WDF are more than DKK 250 million, with projects running from 2020-2027.
In addition, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and WDF entered a strategic partnership agreement in 2024. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded WDF up to DKK 260 million over seven years, covering the financial years 2024 to 2030. WDF receives the donation gradually in annual instalments from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.