Mobilizing Supporters

Empowering Association members and volunteers to develop awareness raising activities

In 2021, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Japan developed a concept for the "Local Supporter Group (LSG)", to strengthen its relationship with its supporters and empower them to organize small public events to increase the public’s awareness and to build understanding of Humanitarianism. Subsequently in Spring 2022, a LSG pilot project was launched in the Tokai region – the Tokai Friends.

The Tokai Friends were trained on MSF guidelines and protocols to organize public events. After several internal meetings and activities, the group organized a public photo exhibition in Nagoya with the theme Living together.

During Q3 2023, the project was evaluated with feedback from all stakeholders. The outcomes were presented to the Steering committee in Autumn 2023. It was decided that in the current format the Local Supporter Group was not long-term sustainable and would not continue. In Q1 and Q2 2024, alternative formats to strengthen MSF Japan’s relationship with its supporters, will be explored.

Progress so far

Building on a concept developed in 2021, a pilot was implemented in the Tokai region in 2022-2023 to evaluate if the concept was feasible in the Japanese context. In Autumn 2023, it was concluded that the initial concept should be revised.

Project duration
2022 - 2023
Group membership
MSF Japan Association members and registered volunteers in the Tokai region (existing supporters）
Group’s objective
Within their local communities, the group will strive to organize external events to increase awareness and build an understanding towards Humanitarianism, MSF and its activities.

Last updated：Feburary 2024

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