L’Initiative supports the African Constituencies Office to strengthen its role in advocating for and representing the interests of Sub-Saharan African countries – particularly French- speaking countries – in the governance bodies of the Global Fund.
Context
This support from L’Initiative is part of its strategy to defend the interests of French-speaking African countries in the governance of the Global Fund and its associated grants. It also represents the continuation of comprehensive support for the African Constituency Bureau (ACB) since 2019, through grants and technical assistance.
Description
This project aims to support the ACO in its strategy to influence the Global Fund’s governance bodies (the Board and its Committees) to adopt strategic policies that improve grant performance on the continent, particularly in West and Central Africa. The objective is to strengthen the capacities of African country representatives who are members of the ACO to influence the Global Fund’s policies and agenda so that the continent’s needs are better heard during meetings and sessions of the Fund’s governing bodies.
Impact
With primary financial support from L’Initiative, the Gates Foundation, and the Global Fund, as well as occasional contributions from other donors, the ACO continues to represent the voice of African countries and advocate for improved grant performance in West and Central Africa. Throughout the last grant cycle, the ACO supported its members in securing crucial victories within the Global Fund governance bodies, including:
- A two-year extension of unspent funds from the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM);
- Adjustments to grants to address the specific constraints of countries with “challenging operating environments”;
- Strengthening investments in resilient and sustainable health systems (RSSH);
- Driving the implementation of the Lusaka Agenda.
Additionally, the ACO established learning networks among its members to address various common issues, such as managing C19RM, “Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems” grants, and co- financing strategies.
