The seven areas of focus are the causes Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation concentrate their projects on, to maximize their impact through global grants and other resources. The areas are:
- Promoting peace
- Fighting disease
- Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene
- Saving mothers and children
- Supporting basic education and literacy
- Growing local economies
- Protecting the environment
One of the requirements for accessing global grants is that the service project include activities aligned with the goals of one of the areas of focus.
Peacebuilding
As a humanitarian service organization, Rotary regards peace as a cornerstone of its mission. Peace is not considered an abstract concept, but something concrete, built through dialogue, education, cooperation, and conflict prevention.
Rotary supports projects and initiatives that help people and communities prevent conflicts, address their root causes, and improve social relations.
Some examples of service:
- Preventing youth violence
- Peace education for communities
- Preventing violence and conflicts in families with children
- Helping refugees and immigrants
- Mitigating conflicts regarding natural and community resources
Fighting disease
Disease can cause suffering and have significant consequences on the lives of people and communities, leading to poverty and social difficulties. That is why Rotary considers it essential to prevent diseases, promote access to treatment, and improve community health.
Rotary supports activities aimed at:
- Preventing and reducing the spread of communicable diseases
- Decreasing the incidence and effects of non-communicable diseases
- Improving and strengthening local health systems
- Promoting prevention, care, and the general well-being of people
Some examples of service:
- Prevention and control of communicable diseases
- Vaccination
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Health fairs and general screenings
- Disability-related projects
Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene
Access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene conditions is fundamental for people's health and well-being. Unsafe water and the lack of adequate sanitation systems can favor the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Improving water quality and sanitation also contributes to Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio.
Some examples of service:
- Water supply
- Water treatment or purification
- Management of water resources and watersheds
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene in health facilities
- Advocacy for water, sanitation, and hygiene
Saving mothers and children
The health of mothers and children is one of Rotary's priorities. Many deaths related to pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood can be prevented with adequate care, medical check-ups, and timely healthcare.
Rotary projects intervene to improve access to maternal and child care, expand available health services, provide medical equipment, train doctors, nurses, and health workers, improve care during pregnancy and childbirth, and promote prevention and health information.
Some examples of service:
- Vaccination projects
- Health vehicles and mobile clinics
- Projects related to medical equipment
- Nutrition projects
- Health fairs and general screenings
Supporting basic education and literacy
Education is a fundamental right, yet many people still lack access to adequate schooling. Rotarians work to identify barriers limiting access to education and to develop projects capable of improving learning, creating new opportunities, supporting schools and students, and providing greater autonomy and dignity.
Some examples of service:
- Teacher training
- Teaching students with disabilities
- Libraries
- After-school or tutoring programs
- Technological service projects
Growing local economies
The fight against poverty is one of the main global challenges. In line with the UN's Agenda 2030 goals, Rotary supports projects that help communities grow and become more self-sufficient through job opportunities, vocational training, support for small businesses and entrepreneurial initiatives, access to economic resources, and sustainable development.
Some examples of service:
- Vocational training
- Microcredit
- Agriculture
- Renewable energy for economic growth
- Giving a voice to marginalized communities
Protecting the environment
All countries face environmental challenges. Rotary supports communities in carrying out concrete and sustainable actions to protect the territory, prevent environmental degradation, and counter the effects of climate change.
In this area, Rotarians can develop projects aimed at protecting and restoring terrestrial, coastal, marine, and freshwater resources, protecting ecosystems, reducing the effects of climate change, and promoting initiatives for more sustainable consumption.
Some examples of service:
- Recycling
- Sustainable agriculture
- Clean energy
- Water conservation and recovery