ReAct Report: Two decades of impactful, community-driven action

2025-06-26

This year, ReAct celebrates 20 years of unwavering commitment to address antibiotic resistance by doing what few global health organizations dared to do early on: placing communities at the center of the solution. Today, we release a new report with key learnings and highlights from this journey.

Founded in 2005, ReAct has grown into a dynamic global network bridging grassroots realities with high-level policy action – particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of antibiotic resistance is greatest. Over the years, ReAct has worked across continents to ensure that local voices not only inform, but also help shape global responses to antibiotic resistance.

“The most effective solutions are those that lift local wisdom while building bridges to policy spaces.”

Spotlight: 4 impactful projects engaging communities

Despite increased global attention to antibiotic resistance, implementation still lags behind – especially when it comes to involving communities meaningfully. The report highlights four ReAct initiatives that show what’s possible when that gap is closed:

Antibiotic Smart Communities

Piloting local governance, people-focused interventions in settings like Kerala, India, reveals how community-centric indicators and accountability mechanisms can make antibiotic resistance action tangible.

Alforja Educativa

By integrating hands-on, playful, and artistic methods for teaching about microbes and antibiotic resistance, and empowering children to play an active role in their learning, this initiative highlights that complex health challenges can be approached through creative, context-sensitive education – a universal strategy to foster lifelong behavioral change.

Youth engagement Initiatives

By mobilizing thousands of young people across Africa through peer-to-peer learning and creative tools, this project demonstrates how investing in youth leadership cultivates a generation capable of driving policy and behavioral change – proving that grassroots energy can scale into global impact.

From People to Leaders: Act on AMR NOW!

By providing a platform for community voices and civil society groups, this initiative amplifies grassroots advocates in global forums – such as the UNGA High-Level Meeting – underscoring how community perspectives can and are needed to reshape high-level agendas.

Lessons for future community engagement: What makes these initiatives work?

Despite different approaches and having taken place in quite different environments and contexts, there are some commonalities in these projects that made them successful. ReAct’s experience shows that true success is rooted in the following factors:

• Co-creation and trust: Programs thrive when communities shape their design and execution.
• Cultural adaptation: Context matters. Tailoring programs to local norms and languages is essential.
• Strategic partnerships: Aligning grassroots action with national policies amplifies impact.
• Creative communication: Art, media, and digital platforms are powerful tools to raise awareness and drive change.

 The path forward: Advancing community engagement

Looking ahead, we will continue to further integrate community engagement into health programs – including by:

• connecting antibiotic resistance efforts to existing community engagement initiatives in health and development sectors
• fostering both top-down and bottom-up approaches, and
• pushing for robust accountability mechanisms at national and global levels.

Building on lessons learned, we aim to catalyze more innovative, inclusive all-of-society approaches for tackling antibiotic resistance in the years to come. We look forward to continue to form partnerships with local governments, implementing partners and public and private sector stakeholders to expand initiatives such as Antibiotic Smart Communities to new locations and ensure their sustainability.

A heartfelt thank you!

ReAct’s journey would not have been possible without the countless educators, children, students, farmers, health workers, youth leaders, and civil society partners who helped make change real in communities and local settings. Your dedication continues to shape a healthier, more equitable future.

We would also like to thank our supporters and funders, with a special thanks the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – for their unwavering support in advancing local, national and global action to address antibiotic resistance.

With determination,
The ReAct Network

ReAct celebrates 20 years of action on antibiotic resistance!

The story of ReAct began 20 years ago with a small group of passionate global health advocates, several of whom are still part of the network today. Driven by the urgency of antibiotic resistance, ReAct has grown into a global movement with offices across four continents, influencing policy, empowering communities, and shaping governance.

Despite progress, global efforts remain insufficient, and urgent action is needed. ReAct remains committed to driving stronger responses to safeguard effective antibiotics for all.

ReAct’s 20-year journey has transformed AMR governance, strengthened health systems, and mobilized communities worldwide. As we look to the future, we invite partners and funders to join us in scaling impact, driving innovation, and securing sustainable solutions — for a world free from untreatable infections.

The story of ReAct.