Thematic domains
If! Foundation supports organisations working across 4 thematics : education, health, mental health, as well as economic inclusion.
In addition, IF aims to have a strong transversal focus on women.
If! Foundation supports organisations working across 4 thematics : education, health, mental health, as well as economic inclusion.
In addition, IF aims to have a strong transversal focus on women.
If! Foundation has adopted the following definition for education:
"The process of facilitating the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and behaviors."
Furthermore, IF supports the joint United Nations Education 2030 Incheon Declaration which is inspired by a humanistic vision of education. They reaffirm that: “(…) Education is a public good, a fundamental human right and a basis for guaranteeing the realisation of other rights. It is essential for human fulfilment, sustainable development, tolerance, and peace. "1
IF education support seeks to ensure that children and adolescents most in need have access to quality education that will enable them to obtain the knowledge, skills, values and beliefs they need to thrive in life and support their communities.
IF supports projects from pre-school through to tertiary education with a particular interest in projects aiming to improve public education systems.
In addition, IF seeks to support institutions dedicated to highly talented individuals.
If! Foundation supports WHO’s positive definition of health:
“Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”1
IF health support focuses mainly on maternal and child health and primary health care for vulnerable and underserved populations, including training of health workers and health education. We also have a particular interest in supporting organisations working with public authorities to improve public health services.
As is the case for our health thematic domain If! Foundation has adopted WHO’s definition:
“Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."1
Within this broader definition, If! Foundation seeks to support women, men, children and adolescents at risk or living with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions. To this end, If! Foundation will support initiatives contributing to a systemic and sustainable impact on mental health, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, and guided by the principles of functional recovery of people living with severe mental illness and favours projects where people with lived experience have a direct role (nothing about us without us).
Our priority domains include i) Strengthening and reform of mental health systems; ii) Integration of mental health at primary and secondary healthcare levels; iii) Community-based models and deinstitutionalization; iv) MHPSS preparedness and low intensity psychological interventions; and v) Prevention of MNS disorders, early detection, and stigmatization.
If! Foundation can also support projects integrating mental health into other health or intervention sectors, and in the areas of education and economic inclusion benefitting individuals and families living with MNS conditions.
If! Foundation has adopted the following definition for economic inclusion:
“Preparing and improving access to economic opportunities for underserved groups through the promotion of inclusive market-based services and solutions.”1
As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to work and receive a just and favourable remuneration ensuring for themselves and their families an existence worthy of human dignity.
IF supports non-profit organisations and social businesses aiming at the economic empowerment of underserved citizens. These organisations implement initiatives that provide vulnerable and excluded people with the knowledge, competencies and opportunities to access markets and to find long-term employment.