On behalf of 90 organisations:
The Global Fund is the largest financier of programs combating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria globally. Recognizing the indispensable role of communities in delivering impactful and equitable health programs, the Global Fund’s 2023-2028 Strategy emphasizes “maximizing the engagement and leadership of most affected communities to leave no one behind.” However, achieving this ambitious goal requires addressing systemic barriers and adopting a cohesive roadmap to strengthen community engagement across all levels of Global Fund processes.
Recent findings from the 2024 RISE study and a 2023 global consultation by Women4GlobalFund and ICW underscore the critical role of Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) in community participation. Yet, challenges such as insufficient representation, inadequate financial and informational access, and systemic inequities persist. This roadmap lays out actionable strategies to overcome these barriers, ensuring that the Global Fund delivers on its promise of equitable and rights-based health interventions.
Key Recommendations
For the Global Fund Secretariat
- Increase Transparency in CCM Investments:
- Publish CCM Funding Agreements, including performance frameworks and costed work plans, on the Global Fund website.
- Annually release country-level data from the Integrated Performance Framework to enable oversight and multi-sectoral engagement.
- Strengthen Financial and Operational Support for CCMs:
- Dedicate CCM budgets to hire full-time secretariat staff for coordinating community delegations.
- Develop and distribute a guide for costing community engagement in CCM funding agreements.
- Enhance Gender-Sensitive Approaches:
- Implement gender-sensitive policies with clear, measurable targets.
- Ensure gender analyses inform program designs and budgets, addressing systemic gender inequalities affecting key populations.
- Promote Community Advocacy and Technical Assistance:
- Publish the “Funding Priorities of Civil Society and Communities” to improve visibility and advocacy for reprogramming funds.
- Support localized capacity building, including partnerships between international and local consultants, to ensure contextual relevance.
- Establish Governance and Reporting Mechanisms:
- Create a CCM Advisory Body to guide strategy and address governance challenges.
- Promote the “I Speak Out Now” mechanism with robust protections against retaliation for whistleblowers.
Key Recommendations
For Civil Society and Communities
- Create Peer-Learning and Advocacy Platforms:
- Develop a global platform for community CCM members to share experiences and strategies, including a community-led whistleblowing mechanism.
- Increase Data Accessibility and Advocacy:
- Develop a publicly accessible CCM Dashboard to track grant funding, community priorities, and performance.
- Conduct research on funding for community-led organizations and programs for vulnerable populations to strengthen evidence-based advocacy.
- Strengthen Representation and Oversight:
- Encourage community mentorship programs to support new CCM members.
- Advocate for transparency in grant funding processes, from proposal development to implementation.
For Donors
- Coordinate Financing for Community Engagement:
- Launch dedicated funding mechanisms to support CCM advocacy, capacity building, and National Strategic Plan development.
- Promote sustained funding for peer-mentorship initiatives and community engagement in CCM processes.
2. Enhance Accountability through Dashboards:
- Expand the CCM Dashboard to ensure comprehensive tracking of grant data and community engagement metrics.
- Support platforms that track community priorities and funding gaps, enabling timely reprogramming and resource alignment.
Check our 10-Step Guide to become an Effective Country Coordinating Mechanism Member
