Daniel Motsatsing, Executive Director Botswana Network of AIDS Service Organisations 18 th International AIDS Conference Vienna, Austria, 18 July 2010

Presentation Lay-Out Definition of Country Ownership (CO) Why Country Ownership? Who is Civil Society & rationale for CSO participation in the national response Sector Perspective: CSO participation and what is country owned about it? Gaps and Challenges for CSOs in line wt CO Way Forward: Some suggestions & thoughts

Definition of Country Ownership Various definitions suffice, but the Accra Agenda for Action (2008) puts focus on country leadership. Need to embrace effective partnerships and promote meaningful & broad citizen participation and engagement The National AIDS Authorities need to set the agenda for designing, implementing and assessing programmes NACs need to put into practice coordination and leadership capacity and systems

Definition of Country Ownership cont... This approach also means that Govts must have oversight of all resources committed to the AIDS strategy. Supervise implementation in the country and coordinate all information relating to the monitoring and evaluation of the same Govts articulate national agenda, set authoritative policies & strategies & donors align programs to Govt policies & systems & not create parallel processes (OECD 2006)

Why Country Ownership? Country Ownership (CO) is essential for enhanced efficiency & achievement of better results especially in competing global agendas & financial crises: NASAs need to reflect more local funding sources In fragile environments, characterized by weak systems & poor coordination, opportunities emerge for devt partners to (claim a share of operating space) & adopt own rules of engagement (UNAIDS Briefing Note 4)

Definition of Civil Society UNAIDS defines Civil Society broadly as: AIDS service Organizations, groups of PLWHAs, youth, women & business orgs, trade unions, professional and scientific orgs, sports & faith-based orgs and INGOs: global and at country level Distinct in institutional form from state, family and market although in practice boundaries are blurred, complex and often contested and/or negotiated Broad definition includes charities, NGOs, CBOs, professional associations, social movements, coalitions, media, academia and advocacy groups

Sector Perspective: What is Country Owned about it? In Botswana, CSOs are recognised by both Govt and Devt partners & participate in the development of and influence policies/ laws Partner with Int’l institutions & Govt to work with & amongst communities while accessing technical & financial support from local & outside sources. Less bureaucratic and contribute to addressing a common national agenda/ goal Education, prevention, stigma reduction, counseling and testing services, care & support

Gaps and Challenges for CSOs in the Context of Country Ownership Constrained human resource capital (numerical and skill base) & majority are dependent on local & internat’l donor funding to sustain personnel & progrm Lack of own diversified resource mobilisation initiatives (accessing funding from same institution that coordinates the response), blurs independence Some have weak governance and leadership structures as little or no steps taken to effectively capacitate (raising credibility) & leaving field open Limited capacity to influence policy makers and instigate change (not taken seriously, GFATM PR)

Way Forward Country needs a clear (shared and agreed) national strategy to support CSO institutional growth. Focus on coordination of partners input and set a true broad participation in the national response Assessment(s) for a +ve outcome, i.e change of mindset by CSOs to work differently & by partners to see value in supporting CSOs to deliver on mandate & meet expectations of partners and beneficiaries) Initiate joint planning & harmonised reporting to partners & CSOs to push for right operational terrain.