According to the World Health Organization, Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they thrive among people living in impoverished communities. They are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.  1 in 5 people globally is affected by these diseases, meaning over 1.7 billion people primarily living in Africa and Asia. They flourish mainly in rural areas, in conflict zones and hard-to reach-regions. They thrive in areas where access to clean water and sanitation is scarce – worsened by climate change.  Some of them are preventable and inexpensive to treat. Yet, they are ‘neglected’ because they are almost absent from the global health agenda. Neglected tropical diseases have very limited resources and are almost ignored by global funding agencies, even when they are responsible for devastating health, social and economic consequences. They perpetuate a cycle of poor educational outcomes and limited professional opportunities. In addition, they are associated with stigma and social exclusion.  This has to end. And that’s the reason why The END Fund was created in 2012, embodying the African proverb “alone we go faster, but together we go further”.  The END Fund is a leading philanthropic fund solely dedicated to ending neglected tropical diseases to achieve the 2030 World Health Organization elimination goals. To talk about how collective efforts can have a significant impact on a specific topic, such as NTDs, I am happy to interview Bridie Layden, Senior Director - Investor Relations for the END Fund. With Bridie, we discuss: > What is a pooled fund and how does it work? > What are the best successes and the biggest challenges of this collaborative effort to address together one specific topic? > How does the END Fund, both as a grant-making organization and a fundraiser, work with its grantees and ensure alignment to deliver impact? > How to be convincing when pitching potential donors? For more information about the END Fund, click here. For more information about the exhibition on NTDs that will be in Geneva in May 2024, click here.