The role of Indian Civil Society in Preparing Global fund application

[Guest guest]

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF GLOBAL FUND:

Global fund clearly indicates that it has to be prepared in equal partnership

with the civil society, which includes NGO and Private sector. Like other

countries India has begun to work on Global fund since January of 2002.

REALITY: FIRST ROUND: February 2002

The only information civil society was provided with during the first cycle

of global fund application was the one page review of why India's application

was not funded. This document was obtained from some of the NGO members who

attended Global fund Board Meeting by SAATHII e-forum.

During this cycle the civil society at large was not familiar with details of

the application, the Indian CCM has submitted on behalf of the Government and

Civil Society. There were no press releases or any kind of information

dissemination regarding the process or review or ideas for resubmission.

REALITY: SECOND ROUND: September 2002

Most of the NGO's or private sector agencies working on HIV/AIDS are still

not familiar with the global fund

There is no information published anywhere to date via paper or

electronically on how NGO's or Private can approach CCM. Even those who are

able to approach CCM are not given easy to follow guidelines.

While CCM receives tremendous technical and financial assistance in kind from

multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners towards preparation of the application,

there are no such resources are available for civil society in preparing the

global fund applications.

It is also unclear on how the National Priorities for these applications were

formulated, as there were no specific meetings conducted to consult with the

larger civil society (just not 2-3 agencies).

The least that could have happen is to review the applications with the civil

society at large for their input.

WHAT WILL/SHOULD BE THE REALITY FOR NEXT CYCLE:

We can either have lengthy debates or think together to come up with a plan

for the next cycle.

It is important that civil society comes together in a cohesive structure to

decide national priorities for the civil society and negotiate with the

government in joining hands with them in preparing next cycle global fund

application.

Unfortunately the financial and technical resources available to bring the

civil society together and assist them in writing the global fund application

are limited. Unless such resources are available there will be no meaningful

participation of the civil society.

Until, these resources become available miraculously, civil society partners

that are part of the CCM or have resources please do join hands with as many

NGO and private sector partners in preparing the meaningful application.

In solidarity

Dr. Sai Subhasree Raghavan

SAATHIII (www.saathii.org)

E-mail: subharaghavan@...

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