Building on the success of the first summit, the second T2GETHERmeeting was held in Brussels on May 9–11, 2025 and brought together new T2gether members to further explore the barriers to and facilitators of engagement in T2D advocacy, identify synergies at national and European levels and gather input for the continued development of the advocate training programme.
IDF Europe Type 2 Diabetes Community “T2GETHER”
The type 2 diabetes platform, now known as “T2GETHER” was launched by IDF Europe with an initial summit held in March 2024. The platform aims to promote more engagement on the part of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D), in an effort to amplify the voice of people living with the condition. The platform provides members with the necessary skills, training and networks to become strong and confident advocates who can represent their community at a national and pan-European level.
Are you interested in learning more about our T2GETHER? Contact us at idfeurope@idf-europe.org.
T2GETHER Advocacy Training Programme 2026
Building on discussions and feedback gathered through previous T2GETHER meetings and activities, IDF Europe launched the pilot edition of the T2GETHER Advocacy Training Programme in May 2026. The programme was developed in response to the interest expressed by T2GETHER members in strengthening advocacy knowledge, confidence and practical skills to support greater involvement in diabetes advocacy activities at national and European levels.
Co-created with members of the T2GETHER community, the training programme reflects many of the priorities, challenges and learning needs identified through earlier workshops and discussions. The pilot programme consists of six modules delivered over several months, combining online learning with an in-person meeting in Brussels planned for October 2026. Module topics include:
- Understanding T2D
- Advocacy foundations
- Storytelling and using data to strengthen advocacy messages
- Stigma and language
- The cardio-renal-metabolic complex
- Developing practical advocacy projects
Beyond the training itself, the programme aims to foster a connected network of advocates, leaders and mentors who can continue to exchange knowledge, support one another and strengthen T2D advocacy within their own communities and across Europe. Participants will be encouraged to share their learning, support peer engagement and help build advocacy capacity within their national networks and organisations, creating a lasting impact beyond the programme itself.
As a pilot initiative, the programme will be evaluated throughout its delivery, with participants invited to share feedback and reflections to help shape future editions of the training and ensure it continues to respond to the evolving needs of the T2GETHER community. Alongside the valuable feedback shared by all participants, experienced T2D advocates have also joined the programme to share their expertise, advice and perspectives to help further strengthen the content, format and delivery of the programme. We sincerely thank the experienced T2D advocates for their valuable contributions and continued engagement.
Together, we aim to build a strong and supportive network of type 2 diabetes advocates across Europe – empowering people with lived experience to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Discover some of our T2GETHER activities
On May 10-11, 2025, IDF Europe hosted the second T2GETHER Summit in Brussels – our annual event aiming to grow and strengthen our T2D Advocacy Platform.
People living with T2D from 14 countries came together to connect, share experiences and advance T2D advocacy across Europe. Cardiovascular advocates living with T2D also joined the event, highlighting the importance of looking beyond individual conditions.
Read the event report
On March 16-17, 2024, IDF Europe held a Summit in Brussels with the current members of the platform and other people living with T2D who are interested in joining the community. Some 35 people from all over Europe and all walks of life joined the event and showed great enthusiasm for the opportunity to engage and share their personal experience with people living with the same condition.
Read the event report
We recently interviewed Vilen Michev, a T2D Platform member from Bulgaria, who shared his experience at the first T2D Summit in Brussels and what motivates him to engage in advocacy.