18/05/2026
For International Harm Reduction Day (7 May) last week, we distributed small grants across our network to support several grassroots activities to remind communities of the importance of life-affirming and compassionate care.
Despite working on tight timelines and budgets, harm reductionists across Europe brought the campaign to life:
In Italy, ItaNPUD organised peer to peer harm reduction training sessions with people who use drugs, working with allied street units to disseminate safer using drug practices. Associazione Isola di Arran conducted peer-based naloxone awareness, sexual health, first aid and safer use training sessions, while also running FTIR drug checking interventions on the street.
In France, Cannabis Sans Frontieres - Elections organised a public demonstration in Paris at an area with a reputation for crack use, calling for the expansion of safer consumption sites. They also ran an online discussion on French harm reduction and international movements.
In Portugal, MUSA AM organised a womens-only hour at Porto’s drug consumption room, connecting and sharing knowledge with women who use drugs. They also used the day to launch their social media accounts. Manasaferspace organised a collective review of their annual report with their members, delivering it to institutional stakeholders including the Lisbon Municipality, calling for state recognition of their work and support for women who use drugs.
In Spain, CATNPUD dedicated two weeks to collective reflection on the meaning of harm reduction. Through discussions, artistic creation, and public communication, participants highlighted harm reduction as collective care, resistance, and defence of rights. The campaign also defended threatened community spaces such as Metzineres in the Raval neighbourhood.
What our community showed is that even when funds are limited, International Harm Reduction Day can be a key day of community, discussions and organising 🔥✊
