26 February 2020 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
Project to End Child Leprosy Among Top 100 Proposals for MacArthur $100 Million Grant
High-scoring 100&Change applications featured in Bold Solutions Network
Decatur, GA, February 19, 2020 — The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today that ‘End Child Leprosy by 2030: Break Transmission and Eliminate Stigma’ was one of the highest-scoring proposals, designated as the Top 100, in its 100&Change competition for a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world’s most critical social challenges.
Leprosy has plagued humankind for over 2,000 years, causing suffering and stigma for the world’s poorest and most marginalized. More than 210,000 new cases (16,000+ in children) are reported annually. Over 3 million people live with disabilities due to delayed treatment. Leprosy has been treatable but, until now, has not been preventable.
With a bold new approach — tracing the contacts of diagnosed persons and giving preventive antibiotics (PEP) — we can, for the first time, prevent leprosy. PEP is a major breakthrough in leprosy prevention. Some models indicate that if PEP and contact screening are implemented, leprosy transmission (indicated best by new child leprosy cases), could be completely eliminated within 15-20 years.
However, PEP will not be successful without reducing stigma, which delays care-seeking, often leading to late diagnosis and a lifetime of disability. The proposed project will foster sustainable peer-led networks for persons affected by the disease to increase understanding and inclusion, reduce stigma and discrimination, and encourage health-seeking.
The proposed project, recognized as a ‘Top 100’ proposal in the 100&Change competition, will break the chain of transmission in 8 countries where 90% of leprosy cases occur. With case finding, contact tracing and PEP for up to 23 million contacts, and special follow-up for close family members, we’ll reduce the number of new cases by 50%, targeting the end of child leprosy by 2030 and, subsequently, all transmission.
The Top 100 represent the top 21 percent of competition submissions. The proposals were rigorously vetted, undergoing MacArthur’s initial administrative review, a Peer-to-Peer review, an evaluation by an external panel of judges, and a technical review by specialists whose expertise was matched to the project.
Each proposal was evaluated using four criteria: impactful, evidence-based, feasible, and durable. MacArthur’s Board of Directors will select up to 10 finalists from these high-scoring proposals this spring.
“MacArthur seeks to generate increased recognition, exposure, and support for the high-impact ideas designated as the Top 100,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change and MacArthur Managing Director, 100&Change. “Based on our experience in the first round of 100&Change, we know the competition will produce multiple compelling and fundable ideas. We are committed to matching philanthropists with powerful solutions and problem solvers to accelerate social change.”
Since the inaugural competition, other funders and philanthropists have committed an additional $419 million to date to support bold solutions by 100&Change applicants. Building on the success of 100&Change, MacArthur created Lever for Change to unlock significant philanthropic capital by helping donors find and fund vetted, high-impact opportunities through the design and management of customized competitions. In addition to 100&Change, Lever for Change is managing the Chicago Prize, the Economic Opportunity Challenge, and the Larsen Lam ICONIQ Impact Award.
Bold Solutions Network Launches
The Bold Solutions Network launched today, featuring ‘End Child Leprosy by 2030: Break Transmission and Eliminate Stigma’ as one of the Top 100 from 100&Change. The searchable online collection of submissions contains a project overview, 90-second video, and two-page factsheet for each proposal. Visitors can sort by subject, location, Sustainable Development Goal, or beneficiary population to view proposals based on area of interest.
The Bold Solutions Network will showcase the highest-rated proposals that emerge from the competitions Lever for Change manages. Proposals in the Bold Solutions Network undergo extensive evaluation and due diligence to ensure each solution promises real and measurable progress to accelerate social change.
The Bold Solutions Network was designed to provide an innovative approach to identifying the most effective, enduring solutions aligned with donors’ philanthropic goals and to help top applicants gain visibility and funding from a wide array of funders. Organizations that are part of the network will have continued access to a variety of technical support and learning opportunities focused on strengthening their proposals and increasing the impact of their work.
More About 100&Change
100&Change is a distinctive competition that is open to organizations and collaborations working in any field, anywhere in the world. Proposals must identify a problem and offer a solution that promises significant and durable change.
The second round of the competition had a promising start: 3,690 competition registrants submitted 755 proposals. Of those, 475 passed an initial administrative review. 100&Change was designed to be fair, open, and transparent. The identity of the judges and the methodology used to assess initial proposals are public. Applicants received comments and feedback from the peers, judges, and technical reviewers. Key issues in the competition are discussed in a blog on MacArthur’s website.
In the inaugural round of 100&Change, Sesame Workshop and International Rescue Committee were awarded $100 million to educate young children displaced by conflict and persecution in the Syrian response region and to challenge the global system of humanitarian aid to focus more on building a foundation for future success for millions of young children.
Media contact:
Andie Tucker
Project Manager
Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy
+1 678-786-7586