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Structured Abstract

Document Title:	Global Fund Responsiveness to Faith-based Organizations: an update. January 2003
Institution:	Christian Connections for International Health and Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network
Authors:	Chinyelu Lee, Yale University, International Health Ministries Office Presbyterian Church (USA)
Study commissioned by:	Christian Connections for International Health and Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network
Objectives:	First survey, 2002: to assess the participation of faith-based organizations in the CCM and inclusion in their country proposals to the GFATM Follow-up survey, 2003: to assess the progress made by the Global Fund in the second round toward addressing the concerns raised by faith-based organizations following the first round of funding
Methods:	A first survey carried out in 2002 included 173 organizations representing 54 countries. 80% of the respondents were from Africa. 50 organizations identified themselves as religious institutions; 83 identified as community-based religious organizations; 43 as religiously affiliated medical institutions. CCIH and EPN have subsequently conducted a January 2003 follow-up survey. Seventy-seven organizations representing thirty-eight countries responded to the survey. Of these organizations, 56 are based in Africa. The respondents included representatives from religious institutions, religious community-based organizations and religiously affiliated medical institutions. There was an equal representation of responders serving both urban and rural communities.
Results:	The results of the January 2003 survey following the second round suggest (See original Report Summary) : Second round of proposals better than first, but still room for improvement Poor integration of faith-based organizations in both rounds.

Report Summary

This paper reports on a January 2003 survey on the success of the Global Fund in reaching faith-based organizations. In spring 2002, Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) and the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) conducted a survey to assess the participation of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and inclusion in their country proposals to the Global Fund (April 2002 report accessible at www@ccih.org).

The results of the 1st survey showed that:

For many reasons, there is a general lack of knowledge about the Global Fund among faith-based organizations.
The faith-based organizations that are aware of the Global Fund are generally not satisfied with the degree to which they are able to participate in the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM).
Government attitudes toward faith-based organizations make a difference.
Faith-based organizations are very interested in working with their CCMs and the Global Fund.

The survey led CCIH and EPN to conclude that one of the most formidable challenges for the Global Fund will be to create guidelines, policies and incentives which will assure the inclusion of all significant stakeholders into the CCM process.

CCIH and EPN have subsequently conducted a January 2003 follow-up survey to assess the progress made by the Global Fund in the second round toward addressing the concerns raised by faith-based organizations following the first round of funding. Seventy-seven organizations representing thirty-eight countries responded to the survey. Of these organizations, 56 are based in Africa. The respondents included representatives from religious institutions, religious community-based organizations and religiously affiliated medical institutions. There was an equal representation of responders serving both urban and rural.

The results of the January 2003 survey following the second round show that:

The experiences of faith-based organizations in the second round were slightly better than the first round but there is still room for improvement, particularly in the area of information about and access to the CCMs.
Faith-based organizations did not play a major role in writing the proposals for countries that received money during the first round. Most of the faith-based organizations that did actively participate in writing their countries' proposals are still waiting to see if they are going to be incorporated in the implementation once the allocations are actually made.
Faith-based organizations had several recommendations for increasing their participation.
1. Creation of an independent mechanism to monitor and evaluate CCMs
2. Technical and financial support provided to build up NGO networks
3. Leadership given to NGOs in the selection of NGO representation in the CCM process
4. Increased transparency throughout all levels of the Global Fund

These findings about the Global Fund and faith-based organizations are not very different from those of other organizations who have studied relations between the Global Fund and NGOs generally. This suggests that there is only limited evidence of discrimination directed specifically at faith-based organizations.

Faith-based organizations are major stakeholders in the worldwide effort to address morbidity and mortality health issues in developing countries. Faith-based organizations are very interested in making a major impact in the fight against AIDS, malaria, and TB, but there is a pressing need for resources. Although faith-based organizations recognize the progress that has been made by the Global Fund to reform the process to increase access for NGOs, there is still much room for improvement.