Global Vision Impact Award

Partner Overview & Application Guide

About the Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF)
The Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF) is a philanthropic initiative dedicated to improving the lives and economic well-being of people in low- and middle-income countries. A key focus area is expanding access to near-vision eyeglasses (ready-made “reading glasses”), a simple, affordable solution to one of the world's most overlooked health challenges impacting 1.8 billion people.

What Is the Global Vision Impact Award?
The Global Vision Impact Award is a philanthropic award that offers catalytic financial support to national governments committed to expanding access to near-vision eyeglasses by reforming policy and building sustainable distribution systems.

To be eligible, governments must submit ambitious national commitments at the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health. Countries with the most ambitious, well-structured commitments will receive priority consideration for the largest awards.

The award operates in two phases:

Phase 1 (Policy Award): Selected countries receive technical assistance funding up-front and support from Vital Strategies to design and enact national policy reforms
Phase 2 (Distribution Award): Countries that successfully enact policy change receive philanthropic funding and private sector investment to implement distribution at scale

The Problem: 800 Million People Without Reading Glasses

Uncorrected presbyopia, the gradual loss of near vision that affects virtually everyone over 40, is the leading cause of vision impairment globally. The scale of need is striking:

2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment
1.8 billion people have presbyopia (age 35+)
Over 800 million lack access to the ready-made, low-cost near-vision glasses that could help them

Reading glasses are not just for reading. They enable farmers, garment workers, tea pickers, and artisans to perform their daily work with direct, measurable impact on income and quality of life. Studies show workers given reading glasses earned 33% more income ¹ and saw productivity increase by up to 32%².

Despite being available over-the-counter at airports, pharmacies, and clothing stores across high-income countries, ready-made reading glasses remain out of reach for most people in LMICs. Regulatory barriers, import duties, and medicalized distribution models keep prices high and access low, even though the solution is simple, cheap, and proven.

1: THRIVE study.
2: PROSPER study.

If you will be in Geneva during WHA79, on May 19, come learn more about the award and hear directly from leaders in this space: https://luma.com/2intdiqq

Phase 1: What Policy Changes Are We Looking For?

Strong submissions will propose concrete reforms across the following four policy focus areas:

Improve Access to Refractive & Dispensing Services	Build Capacity to Provide Refractive & Dispensing Services	Reduce the Cost of Refractive & Dispensing Services	Strengthen Surveillance & Research
Integrate spectacle dispensing into the public health system Authorize over-the-counter provision of ready-made near-vision spectacles Integrate vision screening into workplace occupational health programs Reach underserved populations through innovative service delivery	Regulate, formalize, and expand competency-based refractive error teams Engage and upskill the informal sector by leveraging existing networks Integrate eye care training into broader health professional curricula Support access to broader eye health services	Remove or reduce import duties or customs taxes on spectacles Streamline importation and market entry procedures Reduce value-added or sales taxes on spectacles Strengthen local and regional distribution networks	Establish quality standards for refraction and spectacle dispensing Strengthen refractive error monitoring and national surveillance systems

Phase 2: Commitment Criteria

After policy enactment, Phase 1 award winners will gain access to philanthropic and private sector funding across the following criteria:

Policy	Training	Distribution	Sustainability
Addressing policy to de-medicalize near-vision eyeglasses, lower costs (e.g., duties), and expand points of access	Developing a curriculum and training program to ensure successful screening and referral plans	Mobilizing vision screening and eyeglasses distribution across multiple channels (e.g., CHW, PHF)	Creating a pathway for private sector investment by opening channels and expanding eye health services

To receive submission details and express interest, reach out to [email protected] or submit an interest form HERE. Directly apply HERE

How to Apply: Phase 1 Submission Timeline

1	If you are interested but want to learn more before applying, you can express interest in the link HERE	Deadline
2	To be considered for the Global Vision Impact Award, you must apply for both the IAPB commitment AND the Global Vision Impact Award: Sign IAPB commitment HERE (Commitment form HERE) Apply for the Global Vision Impact Award HERE	August 1, 2026
3	Committee Review (rolling admissions)	October 1, 2026
4	Phase 1: Policy Award Granted*	Rolling
5	Policy Award Winners Announced (Antigua)	November 2, 2026
6	Phase 2: Distribution Award Granted	2027

The Awards are structured as a global challenge, designed to highlight and celebrate countries demonstrating exceptional leadership in addressing avoidable vision loss.
*Only national government officials are eligible to apply for Phase 1.