Monday, February 9th, 2026 is International Epilepsy Day!
The day aims to increase understanding of epilepsy, a neurological condition affecting over 50 million people worldwide. It provides a platform to challenge stigma, highlight lived experience, and advocate for better support, treatment, and inclusion.
What International Epilepsy Day Stands For
Awareness and Education: International Epilepsy Day helps the public learn what epilepsy is, dispel myths, and better understand the challenges faced by people living with the condition. The goal is to build awareness that leads to empathy, inclusion, and action.
Global Participation: Events and activities take place worldwide — from school and community events to seminars, media coverage, and social media campaigns that amplify the voices of those living with epilepsy.
By taking part in International Epilepsy Day, you join a worldwide effort to reduce stigma, increase understanding, and support the rights and wellbeing of people with epilepsy everywhere.
From Awareness to Action: Introducing the Epilepsy Pledge
International Epilepsy Day has always been a day for the world to listen, learn, and stand with the 50 million+ people living with epilepsy. In 2026, we are taking the next step together.
On International Epilepsy Day 2026, we will launch the Epilepsy Pledge — a new way for our community to turn awareness into tangible progress.
The Epilepsy Pledge invites individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and organisations to commit to one concrete action during 2026 that strengthens awareness, safety, inclusion, and community understanding of epilepsy. It builds on the stories and learning from last year’s My Epilepsy Journey campaign, which surfaced lived-experience stories and highlighted unmet needs. This year, we focus on turning stories into action.
Your pledge can be personal or community-focused, small or wide-reaching. What matters is that it addresses a real need, is achievable, and completed during 2026. Every action contributes to a larger movement for understanding, safety, and inclusion.
You’ll find a full guide — including pledge ideas, how to take part, and how to share your commitment — on the Epilepsy Pledge page.
We will conclude the campaign on International Epilepsy Day 2027 by highlighting progress and showcasing the global pledges achieved.
Join us, make your pledge in 2026, and help build a world where understanding and inclusion are the norm, not the exception.
The #EpilepsyPledge: Moving from Awareness to Action (2026-2027)
On International Epilepsy Day 2026, we will launch the #EpilepsyPledge — a simple, commitment that turns awareness into meaningful action.
The campaign builds on the stories and learning from last year’s My Epilepsy Journey, which surfaced lived-experience stories and highlighted unmet needs. This year, we focus on turning stories into action.
Each pledge is something that can be completed at any time in 2026, in a way that fits an organisation’s capacity, role, and commitments.
We will conclude the campaign on International Epilepsy Day 2027 by highlighting progress and showcasing global pledges.
Epilepsy is more than just seizures and so, this #EpilepsyDay, we are asking people with epilepsy and those who care for them to share their unmet, everyday needs on their individual Epilepsy Journey.
Your stories will bring greater context to the findings of IBE’s Global Epilepsy Needs Study (GENS) as well as ILAE’s EPIACT program, which aims to reduce treatment, inclusion, and research gaps through chapter action across six key areas of work.
Such complementary efforts will ensure that people with epilepsy receive the medical care they need, whilst also ensuring their day to day needs are addressed so that they can live life to the fullest.
Join the conversation by sharing your journey with us, or explore the journeys of others to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of epilepsy worldwide.
Click through the tabs at the top of the homepage to find more details about how you can get involved, download our campaign resources and learn more about our annual virtual art exhibition, or submit your personal story.
Let’s learn from one another how we can effectively implement IGAP’s ten-year roadmap to overcome obstacles and improve the quality of life for people affected by epilepsy globally.
