The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition. (CVC) John Waters, Head of Programmes, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition

Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) is the Caribbean’s largest indigenous regional coalition of civil society organizations and community leaders of diverse civil society actors, grouping over sixty non-governmental organisations working with populations especially vulnerable to HIV/AIDS throughout the English, Spanish, French and Dutch Caribbean With a full-time staff of 16 based in two offices Jamaica and the DR, and an annual operating budget of about 2.5 million dollars a year, CVC provides a platform for policy dialogue and comprehensive, coordinated responses that address vulnerability, human rights, gender based violence and sexual health.

Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition Established in 2004 by the late Dr. Robert Carr, CVC has grown considerably since 2010, when as a sub-recipient of the Round 9 Global Fund grant, it developed as a technical organization that provides programmatic and advocacy leadership to over 60 civil society organizations and numerous National AIDS Programmes throughout the Caribbean and Central America. It is currently the owner of a Civil Society Regional Organisation Global Fund Regional Grant focusing on KPs in the Caribbean. It is also the sub-recipient for the KP Component of the OECS multi-country GF grant (2015-2019). CVC manages various multi-country grants including a grant from RCNF, Elton John Foundation, MAC AIDS Foundation, and EU. CVC is a pre-approved Community, Rights & Gender technical assistance provider for the GF since 2015

Centre for Action Research Resources Inter-disciplinary centre of Action Research within CVC Participatory action research (PAR) differs from other approaches to strategic information because it is based on reflection, data collection, and action that aims to improve situations and reduce inequities through involving the concerned populations who, in turn, take actions to improve their own situation. The researched cease to be objects, and rather become partners in the whole research process: including selecting the research topic, data collection, and analysis and deciding what action should happen as a result of the research findings. Example of PSE in Caribbean and Central America Robert CARR Centre for Action Research Resources

CVC Recent Technical Assistance Work in the Caribbean and Central America Community-level interventions with duty-bearers to provide a platform for interface with the government sectors responsible for health, justice, national and social security on issues for effective networking and collaboration to enhance access to justice and the rule of law for KPs. Build capacity of CSOs in community-based policy monitoring systems and collaborative research and analysis Support the establishment & strengthening of redress systems including harmonization of pro-bono legal aid service provision by the different service providers

CVC Recent Technical Assistance Work in the Caribbean and Central America Collect strategic information, knowledge and understanding of health and human rights contexts in country to support evidence based programming and advocacy Scale up support for lobbying and advocacy efforts on key issues regarding access to justice at regional, national or international level to facilitate a favourable legal and policy environment Improve networking, collaboration and coordination among CSOs to promote harmonization for solidarity in strategizing, sharing lessons and experiences, while minimizing duplication;

Examples of Specific CRG Tasks Undertaken by CVC - STRENGTHEN HUMAN RIGHTS MODULE OF THE ECUADOR’S GF GRANT LEGAL AND POLICY MAPPING ICW LATINA (LATIN AMERICA REGION) TA task was carried out for the International Community of Women Living with HIV (Latin America Chapter) (ICW Latina) It involved conducting a comprehensive human rights-based analysis of the legal and policy frameworks on HIV, gender violence and sexual and reproductive health in 18 countries in the Latin- American region. The study was then used as the basis for the development of an on-line advocacy tool as well as the ICW Latina advocacy strategy. Stage 1 - Rapid desk review; Stage 2 - Mission to determine priorities of the KP and determine main strategy of the human rights module; Stage 3 - Develop options for consideration by the country team based on priorities identified; Stage 4 – Propose and obtain buy-in on a series of high yield options based on potential for impact, budget, implementation capacities and sustainability.

Challenges with the CRG Technical Assistance Programme – Need for Demand Creation Intended to provide to CS and CBOs opportunities to interact with Global Fund processes. Few CS partners and indeed CCM members in the Caribbean and Central America seem to be aware of what opportunities exist or how to canalize them. Despite efforts to address participation and engagement of CS in GF processes, it continues at Country level, to be dominated by local authority tecnocrats (Perhaps less so at regional level). Not always a priority of the local authorities that CS organisations access TA during the GF process.

Challenges with the CRG Technical Assistance Programme - Procedural Need for greater guidance/information regarding assessment criteria and selection process both for TA providers and TA beneficiaries Additional clarity about roles, responsibilities, accountability once an award has been made. (TA provider, GF, TA requester, CCM) (e.g. Approval and sign off on workplans and products etc.) Issues around ceiling amounts for TA and short implantation periods. Explore possibilities of joint TA provider proposals (complementary areas of expertise and enhanced south-south sharing and learning). Need to document & share experiences with TA assignments between providers and potential/actual beneficiaries

Concluding Remarks CRG is a brilliant program that needs to be better promoted amongst CS organisations so more countries can benefit from it Specific provisions need to be made for building demand at country level with CBOs given the current context in which country global fund processes unfold. Need for greater clarity/guidance around selection criteria and TA matching process used by the GF Need for greater clarity/guidance pertaining to roles, responsibilities, (GF team, TA Providers, TA beneficiaries and CCM) in terms of determining objectives, products and outcomes and obtaining ultimate approval and sign-off on the deliverables.