Is the 40 hour famine still a thing? A modern look

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

Since its inception in 1975, the 40 Hour Famine has raised millions for children in need globally, but its format has changed significantly in many countries over the years. Today, its structure and even its name have evolved to reflect a broader charitable scope and modern fundraising methods.

Quick Summary

The traditional 40 Hour Famine fundraising event continues in regions like Australia, while others, such as New Zealand, have rebranded it as the 40 Hour Challenge, offering diverse ways to participate.

Key Points

Rebranded in NZ: The 40 Hour Famine has been renamed the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge in New Zealand.
Not just fasting: The modern campaign offers diverse alternatives to fasting, such as going offline or completing 40 acts of kindness.
Ethical considerations: Changes were made partly due to greater awareness of the implications of fasting, especially for young people.
Traditional format persists: In places like Australia, the classic 40 Hour Famine name and core purpose focused on hunger are still used.
Broader focus: The campaign's scope has expanded beyond just famine relief to address a variety of poverty and injustice issues.
Youth-driven initiative: The event remains a major youth fundraising campaign, empowering young people to make a difference.

The Origins of the 40 Hour Famine

The 40 Hour Famine was first held in Victoria, Australia, in 1975, championed by World Vision to raise funds and awareness for global hunger. In its early days, the challenge was straightforward: go without food for 40 hours to empathise with those experiencing famine. The first event saw over 16,000 participants raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, and by 1978, it had grown to over 400,000 participants in Australia alone. It quickly became a signature youth fundraising event, inspiring countless students and families to participate.

Evolution in different countries

While the concept of giving up something for 40 hours remains, the execution has diversified greatly depending on the region. The campaign's evolution reflects a broader understanding of the implications of fasting, especially for young people, and a desire to engage a wider audience.

New Zealand: In New Zealand, the event was rebranded as the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. This change was made to reflect the campaign's evolution beyond just famine relief, supporting a variety of causes from the Syrian Refugee Crisis to the Global Water Crisis. Participants are encouraged to choose a challenge that is personally meaningful, such as going without technology, talking, or even just electricity for 40 hours. This shift acknowledges that young people are creative and want flexibility in their fundraising efforts.
Australia: In Australia, the campaign retains the original 40 hour famine name and focus on hunger, with the next official event scheduled for August 2025. While the original name and concept are preserved, even here, there is flexibility for participants to choose how they challenge themselves. For example, a student might decide to go offline or live out of a backpack instead of traditionally fasting.
United States: World Vision in the United States runs a similar, digitally-focused event called the "30 Hour Famine". This shorter digital version includes online resources, videos, and virtual activities to engage participants.

Reasons for the transformation

The move away from the strict food-based fast was prompted by several factors. Firstly, there was increased ethical awareness around promoting a fast for those with complex relationships with food. Secondly, the flexibility offered by modern challenges helps the campaign stay relevant to young people and increases participation. It allows individuals to choose a challenge that impacts them personally and is challenging in a new way, such as a digital detox. This broader approach ensures the campaign isn't solely dependent on the traditional fasting model, which could have limited its reach and long-term sustainability.

Modern challenge ideas

The current format encourages creativity and addresses more contemporary issues. Participants now have a wide range of options to choose from. Here are some examples:

Go 40 hours completely offline: Give up your phone, social media, and gaming to focus on a different kind of connection.
40km in 40 hours: Walk, run, or bike a cumulative 40 kilometres to symbolize the journeys many in poverty must undertake.
40 hours without furniture: Sleep on the floor and go without your bed, chairs, or couches.
Live out of a backpack: Restrict your possessions to only what you can carry for 40 hours.
40 acts of kindness: Complete 40 acts of kindness for others in your community.

Comparison: Traditional Famine vs. Modern Challenge


Aspect	Traditional (Classic Fast)	Modern (40 Hour Challenge)
Primary Challenge	Going without food and non-water drinks for 40 hours.	Giving up a modern luxury (technology, furniture, etc.) for 40 hours.
Focus	Directly raising awareness and empathy for famine and hunger.	Broader focus on poverty, injustice, and specific project needs.
Participant Age	Traditionally targeted towards school-aged children and teenagers.	Appeals to a wider age range with more flexible options.
Accessibility	Limited participation for individuals with health concerns or complex relationships with food.	More inclusive and accessible, allowing for a wider variety of participants.
Technology Use	No technology was specifically included or excluded in the initial challenge.	Often explicitly involves a 'digital detox' challenge.
Name	Retains the "40 Hour Famine" name in some regions like Australia.	Rebranded as the "40 Hour Challenge" in regions like New Zealand.

Conclusion: The enduring spirit of the 40 hour famine

The 40 hour famine in its original form may no longer be the standard in all countries, but its enduring spirit of giving up something for a greater cause is very much alive. The evolution of the campaign, particularly in New Zealand with the transition to the 40 Hour Challenge, demonstrates a modern and flexible approach to fundraising. By offering creative alternatives to fasting, World Vision has ensured the campaign remains inclusive and relevant to contemporary youth. The ultimate goal—to raise funds and awareness for children affected by poverty and injustice—continues to be met, adapting with the times to continue its powerful legacy of youth activism and compassion.

For more information on the changes and the reasons behind them, see the World Vision NZ FAQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but its format and name have evolved in different countries. In Australia, it is still the 40 Hour Famine, while in New Zealand, it is now the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.

The name was changed to reflect the campaign's expansion beyond just famine relief. It now supports a wider variety of causes and encourages more creative, modern challenges beyond simply fasting.

Instead of just fasting, participants can choose from a range of challenges like going offline for 40 hours, living out of a backpack, or doing a 40km physical challenge.

The focus has broadened. While hunger is still a key issue, funds now support a variety of initiatives, including providing clean water, climate-smart crops, and helping communities overcome poverty and injustice.

Participants choose a 40-hour challenge (like going offline), raise funds through an online platform, and complete their challenge over a designated weekend to support specific projects.

The 30 Hour Famine is a digitally-focused version of the event run by World Vision in the United States. It provides online resources and platforms for groups to hold their virtual fundraising events.

The funds support World Vision's projects helping vulnerable children and communities globally. Specific projects can vary by year, focusing on issues like food security, clean water, and disaster relief.

The traditional fasting element has more nuance today due to health implications. Participants are advised to be mindful of their health, stay hydrated, and to opt for alternative challenges if fasting is not appropriate for them.