9 November 2026
Why do we need SBH organisations today and how can we make sure we remain relevant, strong and connected?
The IF Members Training 2026 is an opportunity for IF Member Associations to step back from day-to-day work, reflect on their organisations, learn from one another and explore practical ways to strengthen the SBH movement together.
Across two complementary online sessions, we will look at how SBH organisations can strengthen their representation and participation, and how stronger networks and partnerships can help us achieve greater impact.
The training will be practical, participatory and peer-led, combining expert input, peer exchange, practical exercises and examples from IF Member Associations.
Who do we represent? Why do we matter today? And how can we remain relevant to the people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus we represent?
The first session will focus on the foundations of a strong SBH organisation. Participants will reflect on their organisation’s strengths and opportunities, explore meaningful participation, including the involvement of people with SBH and younger members and learn from experiences across the IF membership.
By the end of the session, participants will:
No organisation can achieve lasting change alone.
The second session will look outward: who do we need around us, and how can we work together for greater impact?
Participants will explore how to identify and prioritise relevant stakeholders, move from individual contacts towards meaningful collaboration, and build relationships that can support their organisation’s objectives.
Potential partners may include organisations led by persons with disabilities, healthcare professionals, researchers, NGOs, policymakers, funders and other stakeholders.
By the end of the session, participants will:
Are We Still Relevant?
Strengthening Our Organisations and RepresentationLooking inward: who do we represent, why do we matter, and how can we stay relevant?
Stronger Together:
Building Networks and Strategic PartnershipsLooking outward: who do we need around us, and how can we work together for greater impact?
The two sessions are designed as a connected learning journey. Participants will be encouraged to reflect between sessions and apply the learning to their own organisation.
A key part of the training will be the opportunity to learn directly from other IF Member Associations.
As part of Session 1, several Member Associations will be invited to share a short example through a Project Fair. Contributors will share what they did, who they worked with, what they learned and what other organisations could take from their experience.
The aim is simple: share what works, learn from each other and find ideas that can be adapted to different contexts.
The training will be guided by Angela Radovanović and Dr Eduardo Tizzano, who bring complementary perspectives and experience.
Angela Radovanović is a disability advocate with practical experience within the disability movement, with a focus on representation, participation, advocacy and strengthening the voice of persons with disabilities.
Dr Eduardo Tizzano, a paediatrician and geneticist by background, brings extensive experience working across organisations led by persons with disabilities, knowledge and research institutions, healthcare, and the public and private sectors. His experience provides a broad perspective on how organisations can build credibility, engage different stakeholders and develop meaningful collaborations.
Together, they will guide participants through reflection, peer exchange and practical exercises.
Before the training, participants will receive a practical selection of resources to support their preparation and provide useful references during and after the sessions.
These may include:
Participants will also be encouraged to identify at least one concrete idea, approach or tool they would like to take forward in their organisation.
The training is intended primarily for IF Member Associations.
Participants are encouraged to attend both sessions, as the sessions build on each other. Where possible, organisations may wish to involve more than one representative to support follow-up and implementation within the organisation.
Participants will be invited to complete a short pre- and post-training questionnaire to help assess changes in confidence and perceived ability in areas including organisational development, meaningful participation, representation and collaboration.
Participants who complete both sessions and the required evaluation will receive an IF Members Training 2026 Certificate of Completion.
The evaluation findings will also help IF assess the training and inform future capacity-building activities.
Registration:
Join us to reflect, exchange, connect and identify practical steps for the future of your organisation.
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