1. Technical Support Needs of Countries for Preparation of Funding Requests Under the Global Fund's New Funding Model
Authors: A. Nitzsche-Bell, B. Hersh (UNAIDS, Geneva)
Background
In November 2011, due to lack of funds the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) cancelled Round 11. It has thus been 3 years since countries have been able to request new GF funding. After a successful replenishment in 2013 and a major organizational reform, the GF will implement its 'New Funding Model' (NFM) in The NFM aims to enhance the strategic impact of investments as it calls for funding requests to be developed through a robust and inclusive Country Dialogue. In December 2013, UNAIDS conducted a global survey to assess country readiness to apply for the NFM and to map related short-term technical support (TS) needs
Technical areas / % of country support requests
Conclusions
The results of this survey suggest that there is very high demand GF funding in 2014 and a concomitant high demand for TS to assist in the preparation of funding requests. TS priority needs span across different technical, programmatic and management areas. Increased availability of funding for TS and enhanced partner coordination through the Country Dialogue process are needed to ensure that countries have access to timely, demand-driven, and high-quality TS to maximize mobilization of GF resources under the NFM.
UNAIDS Support Provided to Countries
UNAIDS support is being provided at country, regional and global levels with a strong focus on coordinated and targeted action on the ground.
Figure 1. Technical support areas with most frequent requests (n= 55 countries).
Methods
An on-line survey was sent to 77 countries, covering all countries eligible for GF support with UNAIDS presence. The survey collected information about the intended timing of submissions and up to three TS priorities that may be requested from UNAIDS or other technical support providers. Following in-country consultations with government, civil society and donors, UNAIDS Country Coordinators completed the survey.
Figure 4. UNAIDS technical support coordination and delivery model.
For specific requests, please contact:
Regional Support Teams:
East and Southern Africa: Iris Semini,
West and Central Africa: Clemence Bare,
Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Roman Gailevich,
Asia Pacific: Smriti Aryal,
Latin America: Andrea Boccardi Vidarte,
Caribbean: Melissa Sobers,
Middle-East and Northern Africa: Eltayeb Elamin,
Technical Support Facilities (TSF):
Eastern and Southern Africa
TSF ESA: Russell Armstrong,
West and Central Africa
TSF WCA: Jean-Baptiste Guiard-Schmid,
Asia Pacific
TSF AP: Graham Smith,
Copyright Colin Purrington (
Results
A total of 77 completed surveys were received (100% response rate). Of the total, 55 (71.4%) countries anticipated submitting Concept Notes in For these countries, most frequently requested priority TS were: Strengthening of National Strategic Plans or development of HIV Investment Cases (65%); support for the Concept Note development process, including Country Dialogue, costing and writing (60%); situation analyses, including epidemiologic, human rights, gender, programmatic and financial gap analyses (53%); HIV programme reviews (49%); strengthening the AIDS response among Key Populations (38%); and health system strengthening (22%).
Figure 2. Overview of technical support requested by region.
Whereas countries had already identified preferred TS providers for more than half (55%) of their requests, they indicated high levels of uncertainty about being able to mobilize sufficient resources to fund these requests. For only 14.5% of requests, assured funding was available.
Figure 3. Funding availability for priority TS.
Presented at AIDS 2014 – Melbourne, Australia