CSOs participation in Global Fund processes
ZAN is a former Sub-Recipient (SR) for the Global Fund rounds 1, 5 and 8 phase 1 and 2, coordinating Sub-sub recipients (SSRs) namely HOSPAZ, SAfAIDS, PSI and ZNNP+. Zimbabwe has been allocated US$500 million on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria for the Global Fund funding cycle 2021 – 2023. The emphasis of this grant is on increasing investments in community interventions for the Global Fund (GF) grants to optimise positive outcomes in pursuit of the Fast Track Targets. From experience with the previous GF grant, the missing link has been the limited involvement of CSOs in the development; design and subsequent implementation of the last grant in comparative terms.
Civil Society under the ZAN caucus have set about to redress these gaps and as evidenced by the participation of CSOs in the GF concept note writing process. Through the experts who were selected by ZAN to represent CSOs in the process, Civil Society has built consensus on priority issues which seek to impact the writing process and potentially the implementation of the grant. Civil Society was also involved in the Technical Review Panel comments review since Global Fund Board relies more on the recommendations made by the TRP with regards to decisions on where investments will have the most impact. In light of this, ZAN has started with Technical Review comments on GF grant to proffer recommendations and make sure that CSOs participate in Global Fund grant negotiation.
Such process has been lacking during previous GF cycles hence the rationale to follow up actions on concept note development. CSOs has been lacking in meaningfully and effectively participate in the grant negotiations which has resulted in their inputs to the concept note scrapped off due to their absence in the grant negotiation processes. Zimbabwe AIDS Network is coordinating CSOs participation in the GF processes through structured platforms to continue giving input in the writing process. This will help strengthen ownership of the entire process which extends to grant implementation.