1. Nevenka Mardešić, NGO HELP, Croatia
Positive experience of HR programs‘ transition from GF support to national funding in Croatia
Nevenka Mardešić, NGO HELP, Croatia

2. Some facts before GF
Mandatory testing of blood, organs, tissues
Ministry of Health (MoH) established Croatian National Commission for Combating HIV/AIDS.
Established Reference Centre for HIV/AIDS
MoH adopted first National Programme for HIV/ AIDS Prevention
The Croatian Parliament adopted „Harm Reduction" as a part of the National Strategy for Combating Drug Abuse
the first Harm reduction programme started, managed by an NGO “HELP” and funded by City of Split
1998 – antiretroviral therapy (ART) became available and fully financed by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund
National HIV Commission broadened; parallel Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) structure established

3. Key elements of successfully implemented GF
The GF project was not only about funding, it was also about multisectoral collaboration.
GF made positive contribution in mobilization of different stakeholders including politicians, NGOs, health care and other professionals
Croatia succeeded to maintain a low level HIV epidemic in the past three decades

4. Mitigating factors for succesful transition
relatively low and stable epidemic,
well institutionalized national HIV response with established governance structures before the GF projects started
acknowledgement of a central role for NGOs in the national HIV response.
Cooperation between government and NGOs since 1999 (legislative basis, successful contracting, disbursement of funds, M&E system in place...)
ART was available and financed through domestic resources since 1998 and free of charge for all PLHIV in need,
Continuation of funds for mostly salaries and commodities (GF grant supported investments in procurement and reconstruction of facilities)

5. Key milestones: Transition to the governance structures
GF Project “Scaling up HIV/AIDS Response in Croatia”
National HIV/ AIDS Plan for adopted
End of GF project; Commission for Combating HIV/AIDS continued
Since 2006, the MoH continuously allocated funds for NGOs granted under GF: HELP, Hepatos Rijeka, HUHIV, Iskorak, Institute, Let, Terra, and Croatian Red Cross.
National Programme for HIV/AIDS Prevention for adopted
National strategy of combating drug abuse.
National strategy of development of health, Strategic plan of development of public health,
National strategy for Youth

6. Domestic financing sources for national HIV response
State budget 11 Ministries (Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, Demografy, Social Welfare and Youth, Economy, Tourism, Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, Internal Affairs, Defence, Veterans, Foreign and European Affairs, Office for Combating Narcotic Drug Abuse, Lottery Fund),
local communities (not much, rarely),
health insurance fund (treatment),
private sector (very little),
international projects
donations
Average total finances for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, M&E, research for the : HRK (cca EUR)

7. GF grant / State sources
GF granted resources
were in total amount of
USD
per year USD
NGOs received 38% of the overall GF budget
11 Institutions, 6 NGO
Domestic financing sources :
2007: USD
2013: USD
2014: USD
: USD

8. Recommendations for CSOs in those countries which are still in the transition
To establish cooperation between governments
International coalition and coordination at regional level among NGOs to be established during the GF implementation so once GF leaves the network remains with some funding for keeping and lobbying for HIV as a high priority for the country
Legislation - „Harm Reduction" must be explicitly entered in the National Strategy for Combating Drug Abuse.
Multisectoral collaboration, networking and mobilization of different stakeholders including politicians, NGOs, health care and other professionals
Keep the contact with professional staff in the ministries - Shape their motivation for the subject of interest; they are great bridge to reach politicians involvement
Expand areas of activity, target groups, including the number of donations from various sources - Harm Reduction is just a part of HIV/AIDS prevention

9. Thank you for attention!
Udruga za pomoć mladima
Mihovilova širina 1, Split
facebook/HELP-Udruga-za-pomoć mladima
Tel