One year ago, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and its Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) launched the Health Advocacy and Collaboration Hub – HATCH – a dynamic online learning platform designed to bridge the gap between ambitions for health policy change and on-the-ground advocacy. Today, as we celebrate its first anniversary, HATCH has grown into a premiere destination for public health professionals in more than 60 countries, providing the tools and community needed to support life-saving policy campaigns – at no cost to the user.
The Vision: From Experience to Action
HATCH was built on a simple premise: the most effective advocacy strategies should be shared. By distilling decades of experience from CTFK and GHAI into a digital format, HATCH provides civil society organizations (CSOs) and individual advocates with an accessible roadmap for change.
“HATCH is a space for advocates to share insights, consider ideas and strategies and see what others have done to achieve their national health policy outcomes. It gives advocates the tools to explore issues and approaches at their own pace and at no cost.” GHAI Director of Capacity Strengthening, Shani Winterstein
Elevating Capacity Through Digital Learning
At the heart of HATCH’s success is its robust e-learning catalog, which serves as a force multiplier for global advocacy. Unlike traditional one-off workshops, these digital courses allow for a systematic and sustainable approach to capacity strengthening. By providing 24/7 access to free self-led modules available online and on mobile, HATCH enables advocates to conduct their own skill-gap analyses and learn at their own pace, regardless of their time zone or location.
This digital-first model does more than just deliver content; it elevates capacity by providing standardized, high-quality training that can be scaled instantly. It ensures that whether an advocate is in a bustling capital or a remote province, they have the same expert-led guidance on essential skills like budget advocacy, media relations and policy drafting.
Year One by the Numbers
In just twelve months, HATCH has transformed from a new project into a thriving global ecosystem:
- Global Footprint: Thousands of individual advocates have joined the platform, representing every major region of the world.
- Capacity Building: Over 300 learners have completed one or more courses on HATCH, covering topics ranging from media advocacy to strategic planning.
- Institutional Growth: Dozens of CSOs and academic institutions are now formally engaging with HATCH, integrating its resources into their own training materials.
We are proud to share that HATCH’s innovative approach has gained international recognition. GHAI and eWyse were named finalists for the 2026 Learning Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate the most effective and agile initiatives in the global learning and development sector. Being shortlisted alongside some of the world’s leading organizations is a testament to HATCH’s commitment to delivering world-class training that is both relevant and transformative for public health advocates.
Fostering a Global Community of Practice
Beyond the courses, HATCH’s most significant achievement has been the creation of community spaces known as “Nests.” These digital spaces allow advocates to share real-time insights, troubleshoot campaign hurdles and collaborate across borders. Whether it is a grantee in Southeast Asia sharing a legislative win or a partner in Africa discussing media tactics, HATCH has become the “connective tissue” for the global public health community.
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Advocacy
As HATCH enters its second year, the focus stays on innovation and accessibility. With plans to expand the resource library and introduce more scenario-based learning, the platform is evolving to meet the shifting political and digital landscapes that advocates face today.
Join the Movement
As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to explore the free platform, sign up, take a course, share your experiences and take the next step in your advocacy journey.
Visit learn.hatchadvocacy.org to learn more and sign up for our latest courses. And watch our video for more information: