Are you our next Rabies Center of Excellence?

28 Apr 2025

 

ERN Communities Against Rabies dog

The World Rabies Day Theme for 2025 is Act Now: You, Me, Community. At the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), this theme is an embodiment of 19 years of working towards rabies elimination. As we encourage the world to Act Now this World Rabies Day, we want to encourage you to join our community as a Rabies Center of Excellence.

 

What is a Rabies Center of Excellence (RCE)?

GARC recognizes organizations involved in working towards rabies elimination in their communities. A key qualifying criterion to be recognized as an RCE is that an organization should have great community engagement! RCEs should also aspire to lead the way and maintain work of a high quality that others can learn from.

 

What are the benefits of being a recognized Rabies Center of Excellence?

Besides being part of a growing global community that is leading the way in eliminating rabies, as a recognized RCE, you will also have access to the following benefits:

  • Access to GARC expertise and tools:

All RCEs have free ongoing access to GARC’s team of skilled, dedicated rabies professionals! Supported by GARC, RCEs also have guidance on protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, materials and documents on standardized efforts and structured approaches. This allows RCEs in turn to share their knowledge with other community actors including government officials.

  • Use of GARC’s Data Platform:

RCEs have access to the latest and most innovative digital data tools that enable real-time customized data capturing. We localize these surveillance tools for each individual RCE, at no cost to the RCEs! The GARC Data Platform also facilitates the reporting to donors on vaccination campaigns and improve coordination and collaboration with other local partners, including other RCEs.

  • Education:

RCEs have access to an extensive library of education and sensitization materials, covering all aspects of rabies elimination. We also help to review existing education and awareness materials to localize it for the specific communities in which the RCEs operate, including facilitating translations into local dialects.

  • Form part of a broader network of organizations:

 RCEs form part of a global network of like-minded organizations under the EndRabiesNow.org platform who will benefit from various informative webinars and online workshops aimed at expanding the local knowledge base, as well as building capacity.

  • International exposure:

We promote the ongoing work of all the RCEs using dedicated social media channels, raising their profile on the international stage and highlighting their achievements.

 

Do you want to be our next recognized RCE?

We would love to work with you. This is what you need to do next:

  • Contact us to apply. Please send a short summary of what you do and where you work to [email protected].
  • Work with our team to start using the relevant tools (for example, surveillance/vaccination) from GARC’s Data Platform.
  • Pledge your organization’s support on the End Rabies Now website.
  • Have a minimum of 3 recognized Dog Health Champions* as part of your team.
Rabies Center of Excellence banner

 

Make this year’s World Rabies Day your motivation to join our global community.

 

*For more on how to become a Dog Health Champion, read our article Communities Against Rabies: Bringing global efforts together in the April 2025 Newsletter.