Structured Abstract
| Document Title: | NGO Participation in the Global Fund. October 2002 |
| Institution: | The International HIV / AIDS Alliance |
| Study commissioned by: | The International HIV / AIDS Alliance |
| Objectives: |
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| Methods: | This paper summarizes a review undertaken by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in August and September 2002, assessing the participation of HIV non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in 6 country-level processes of the GF. These processes include the CCM, the CCP and all other GF related activities and consultations. The review was undertaken on the basis of anonymity, so quotations and experiences are not attributed to specific individuals or countries. Recommendations are made based on these NGO experiences and on broader Alliance experience in providing technical and financial support to NGOs and community-based organisations in over 40 developing countries. |
| Results: | The main findings and recommendations are presented and organised according to four main issues (see original Summary):
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Executive summary (authors')
In the majority of the countries reviewed, participation in the Global Fund processes has resulted in a relative improvement in the relationship between NGOs and government, providing new opportunities to work together more effectively. In particular, shifts in governments' priorities have been observed. For example, in one country this shift is reflected in a movement away from just looking at building infrastructure and procuring drugs, to recognising the importance of supporting broader needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, which was facilitated by their inclusion in the development of the proposal.Experiences varied greatly between countries. In some, NGOs were involved at all stages of the CCP development, as members of the CCM, in drafting elements of the proposals and taking part in technical working groups and broad NGO consultations. Many CCMs have drawn on the expertise of implementing organisations to identify priorities and review proposals.
This direct NGO involvement in the drafting of parts of the CCP in many countries has provided them with a real opportunity to influence the proposal. However, while the Secretariat guidelines on the CCM process states that all members of the CCM are to be 'treated as full partners', in most countries reviewed this was far from the case. In particular, NGO involvement post-approval of the funds has been extremely limited.
Faced with a new funding instrument and the speed at which it was created, many countries had just weeks to put together a proposal and the guidelines and information for proposal development were limited. This has led to both concerns over the quality and the innovative nature of the final CCPs. It has also raised a number of issues that need to be addressed in relation to NGO involvement. These range from lack of access to information, limited involvement in decision-making, weak NGO networks and the need to ensure effective funding disbursement to civil society.
