Apr 04, 2006

Thanks Dr. Jimoh,

These isses will be addressed prior to the closure of this forum.

Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh - Apr 04, 2006

I think GF should address all the issues based on performance/ intergrity and good records of partners organisation. We would like to know more of these issues.
_________________
Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh

medigist - Apr 04, 2006

Many times the CCMs are loded either with academics or bureaucrats who sit in air conditioned offices trying to analyze the poor, ignorant and uneducated masses suffering from preventable diseases.
It is more important people who do pioneering work in preventing diseases to get some support from the Global Fund. Needless to say the Global Fund has to develop eyes and ears to see around and identify opportunities to network with people doing honest work. There is a lot of wastage of UN MONEY. For example all WHO offices are going to have a party this year on world health day, like every past year. The amount to be blown away (estimated) only on liquor is more than a million rupees at new delhi office. With the same amount I can organise publication of two issues of my news letter reaching 200,000 retail pharmacies across india and try build capacity in them to prevent AIDS, MALARIA AND T.B.
My guru STEPHEN COVEY always reminded about proactiveness. We need to estimate the actual fund reach to poor people aganist administrative cost. In india out of every rupee earmarked for health more than 50% goes to pay wages alone.
regards
_________________
V.BHAVA NARAYANA
Editor&publisher
PHARMED TRADE NEWS
3-3-62A, NEW GOKHALE NAGAR
RAMNTHA PUR, HYDERABAD, A.P
INDIA-500 013
TEL 919849551183
Email pharmedtradenews@gmail.com
URL www.pharmedtradenews.com

C Severo - Apr 03, 2006

A hidden "beneficiary" of the Global Fund around the world are the banks who earn a percentage on every electronic transfer and exchange. In countries where the PR is a government agency (such as Ministry of Finance), banking fees are usually reduced or nil due to blanket agreements between the government and the national bank. But if the PR is an NGO, and for all non-government sub-recipients and beneficiaries, managing, receiving, or using Global Funds engenders banking fees. In TAnzania, for example, the NGO PRs budget 2% for the banking fees for their numerous sub-recipients. Plus it is difficult to hold funds in dollars or euros and the transaction times toward the regions and rural areas are very slow.

Wouldn't it make sense to use the GFATM's prestige and leverage to negotiate reduced banking fees and reduced delays on transactions for GFATM PR/SR groups with one or more banks? The banks could count the reduced fees as a contribution to the GFATM or to the country's response to the epidemics, increasing their "social return on investment". Continent by continent, one could imagine large banking networks such as Stanbik or BNP/Paribas or Citicorp engaging in GF sponsorship through such banking arrangements. At a national level, GFATM or the LFA might assist the GFCCM to negotiate such an arrangement with one or more national banks with good regional presence.

What would the Donor Mobilization office of GFATM think about this?
_________________
Catherine Severo
Management Sciences for Health
Boston, MA, USA

C Severo assisted the CCMs of Tanzania and Zanzibar to prepare their proposals and complete preparations for signature for Rounds 2, 3, 4, 5.

medigist - Mar 26, 2006

A large percentage of money goes waste in many healthcare devlopment projects. one small example is WHO . News, reviews, programs, advances and alerts meant for healthcare professionals do not reach them at all. Un or under utilisation of healthcare media is rampant.Global fund should consider using the strengths of media to acheive the important goals like disease prevention. On behalf of PHARMED TRADE NEWS which can reach 200,000 pharmacies in india we offer to carry all educational material on printing cost reimbursement model.
regards
_________________
V.BHAVA NARAYANA
Editor&publisher
PHARMED TRADE NEWS
3-3-62A, NEW GOKHALE NAGAR
RAMNTHA PUR, HYDERABAD, A.P
INDIA-500 013
TEL 919849551183
Email pharmedtradenews@gmail.com
URL www.pharmedtradenews.com

LPPrayas - Mar 24, 2006

Dear Sir,
I am Pinaki Mukherjee, residing in Kolkata, India. I belong to a developing third world country. My world of association is with a NGO, Lotus Park Prayas, here in after called LPPrayas. The objective behind my association is underlined in uplifting and pulling into the mainstream that section of my country that deserves to be alleviated above the poverty line. Under the current world scenario, I feel it is the duty of every educated individual to help in percolating the benefits of a modern environment to all sections of the society, especially to those who are lagging behind in the race. The motto of my organization i.e. LPPrayas to which I belong always adhere to the above sentiments. In fact, LPPrayas is following United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (1 to  virtually to make poverty a historical word through Micro Enterprise Cluster Development Programme (MECDP). We have a definite project plan for MECDP in West Bengal as well as all over the country. If you are interested we can submit our plan for you kind information and positive response. Further more I am engaged in different project works in many a parts of my state which my NGO has taken-up time to time. I hope I have described myself in a miniature format.
Sincerely looking for an early positive response from your end.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Pinaki Mukherjee
Secretary
LPPrayas

chandap - Mar 24, 2006

Iam hapy that these issues are now being brought up , this is because transaction costs can easily impact on efficient resource use and also finally on how much funds are finally available for the actual programmes that are funded.

The long planning meetings, bargaining processes, etc sometimes are costly even to the countries that need to plan for these funds. However a consesus process is appreciated. There is just a need to strike a balance for both international and country level planners.

I would suggest a longer term planning cycle such that grants are given to countires lets say for 10 year plan but with strict monitoring procedures and renewal based on performance measured especially at the end user level.

The local fund agencies could be established based on competency and efficiency management such that the inefficient bureacracies could be done away with where they do not serve the purpose for which they are intended.

A revision of certain organisational structures may help improve efficiency and reduce costs in the long run BUT also ensure the bulk of funds reaches the end user.

I hope I have addressed some of the issues being discussed.

Pascalina, ZAMBIA

Mina - Mar 23, 2006

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:36 pm Post subject: Working more efficiently with Local and Global Partners

More financial resources to confront HIV, Malaria and TB are very much needed and welcome. A global funding mechanism such as the Global Fund can make a difference if it can truly help make the money work for people on the ground.

Some experience is now available after the first few years of Global Fund operations. Feedback from some countries (e.g. groups involved in implementing /monitoring activities being resourced via Global Fund) indicates that there are real and practical challenges associated with accessing and managing this funding. These can be grouped into the following categories:

i) Procedures are time consuming and complicated,
ii) Timeframes are often not realistic,
iii) Resources do not necessarily reach those most in need nor the intermediary groups that are working at the local level but who may not have the required capacity to receive and manage Global Fund resources (per Global Fund requirements),
iv) Lack of flexibility to adjust to local needs and realities.

What can be done to improve this situation, taking into account that the Global Fund must be accountable for the resources it administers? Some suggestions:

1) Set up an account that can be used to fund "pre-investment" activities. This would enable country/local level partners, working together with central government and others, to carry out specific assessments on needs (as they evolve), gaps, response capacity of various stakeholders, in particular those working at the local level, explore accountable, alternative funds management arrangements within a country or on a regional basis, simplify current arrangements and procedures and be more responsive to local needs, realities and capacities.

2) Invest in systems development that is inclusive and links communities, civil society organisations, local and national government and support localisation of the CCM or stakeholder forum process. In some ways the CCM or stakeholder forum process is artificial and does not adequately capture the day to day realities of people and communities who need support and access to services. By supporting efforts to decentralise frameworks for collaboration, consultation, thinking and acting together and investing in such approaches, capacity at the local level is built up and communities have a greater voice in decision making (that affects their lives and well being). There are growing numbers of examples of such approaches, but these remain small scale. A range of actions can be taken at the local level, which together, will provide the needed foundations for scaling up and at the same time build up local ownership and leadership....and also contribute to greater transparency and accountability.

3) Rapid response mechanism which can be set up and which can be easily accessed by partners in countries to address bottlenecks. The timeframe between the preparation of a country proposal and the receipt of funding by implementing partners in a country can take between 12 and 18 months and sometimes longer. Things change..e.g. ARV costs have come down and so more people can access treatment with
resources that had been approved. Initial indicators would need to be adjusted and agreement sought to take such actions. It should be possible to respond to such changes in a more flexible and timely manner.

Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh - Mar 23, 2006

(In addition) I suggest, Decentralisation of program operations and administration to country with GF HQ acting as back stop for region or country implemetation of program.

Storm analysis of line item activites e.g. advocacy, legistlators, services delivery as it relate to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria be done at HQ and what institution to implement it based on relative advatages in the country.

let us learn form our mistakes, challenges and our success stories. The e- forum can contiounsly be used as a feed back mechanism for GF activites, institutional capacity building and research.

I think we should also look at what makes Packard, Mac Artur, Ford and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations successes in the country.

GF should encourage rewarding his/her best staff, introduce study tour etc. to motivate direct and indirect staff.
_________________
Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh

Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh - Mar 22, 2006

Cut cost (cost reduction) is itself an important indicator of success. In any program it readily manifests itself in a good leader or where leadership role is prominent.

Transaction costs will be more in working through the model of Grantee - Sub grantees- Sub-Sub grantees. Let GF work through indigenous INGOs in a cognitive agreement where such INGOs or NGOs have strength, or are recognized for efficiency and leadership. For example in Nigeria, the Society for Family health (SFH) is recognized in social marketing, while Pathfinder International is a leader in Service delivery in the communities-so are many other INGOs.

So much money is being wasted in planing for implementation, than in the actual implementation process. I think it is best to reduce costs through linking with more important performance indicators or actual results- for such programmes/project. I also believe that the right person with appropriate qualities, who is dedicated, disciplined, devoted and committed to success should be given the opportunity to lead or involved in driving the GF ship.
_________________
Dr. Saka Mohammed Jimoh

LPPrayas - Mar 22, 2006

Moderator: This message has been moved to the open discussion forum, to enable more people to view it and to encourage the most suitable responses to its content and topic.

Dear Members,

Thank you for alerting us that some private or mass e-mail correspondence is received as junk mail. The need to communicate via e-mail arises from time to time. A long term solution would be to advise your service provider that it is not junk mail, by clicking on the options provided, e.g. for Yahoo, Wanadoo and Hotmail users.

Thank You.

Alliance2015_DWHH - Mar 22, 2006

To improve co-ordination with global + local partners the role of the Principal Recipient on country/district level is crucial. If the performance is not up to standard, delayed, too bureaucratic etc. funds will not reach the target groups in time and will not have maximum impact. Within the GF architecture we (Deutsche Welthungerhilfe / German Agro Action, member of the strategic European NGO partnership ALLIANCE2015) would like to recommend re-examining the role of the PR or rather what type of close performance monitoring could be in place to rapidly improve performances and find country and context specific solutions .
Furthermore, with regard to structures and processes, we think that:

- a CSO representation of 40% should not just be recommended, but mandatory
- a technical training component (technical capacity building) should be part of every grant (see also the provisions of the Cotonou Agreement between Eu and ACP countries)
- CSO participation in proposal dev., progr. + implementation should be mandatory
- the role and influence of Northern NGOs accredited to the GF should be re-examined / strenghtened
- the possibility of establishing differentiated funding mechanisms should be explored, e.g. the Cotonou EDF A and B envelopes (The B envelope funding enables the EU to allocate funds more directly without going through the national governments, if there is lack of performance, e.g. in crisis and post-crisis countries.)
_________________
Alliance2015 is a partnership of six European NGOs working in the field of development cooperation. The members are Cesvi, Concern, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe, Hivos, Ibis, People in Need.

Saiki - Mar 22, 2006

To reduce transaction costs and improve coordination with global and local partners, these involve the Comprehensive Funding Policy and the use of one of the organisation's architecture in monitoring the activities of local partners i.e TRP.

In addition, I would like to recommend that in following the Global Fund's objectives, solving the problems of ARVs, bednets, and diagnostic test, for prevention, and care of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, as well as the reduction of costs require what I do refer to as GPP (good planning process).

GPP involves the following: -

1) Taking into consideration the objective of the organisation

2) Data collection, analyses and forecasting

3) Determination of classes of people to covered the exercise, and how effective it will be on the targeted persons

4) Phase and programe the exercise over its period and

5) Monitoring and evaluation/Feed back.

Thank you.

Saiki Shegun,
(Abuja, Nigeria)

Mar 21, 2006

Message from Sudhakar Malpe

Dear Moderators (Nameless Moderators make us feel as if we are addressing the issues to the WALL, let there be some name may be X Y Z),

Thanks for this week’s question. The question remains that GF still does not intend to work with the grass-roots level organizations. The fund allotment mechanism still works only with the "middle-man". We hear stories from far and near how people "manipulate" the CCMs allocate funds and they are mostly on paper as "foolproof" otherwise, a committed NGOs working in the field of prevention of HIV \ AIDS, TB and MALARIA never gets funding.

Most of the Grant applications are prepared in such a way that it is easy for the CCMs to reject the proposal which are not coming through "contacts" and "middle-man".

I wish the Board of GF looks at these obstacles and ensure the grantees’ number multiply and that more Grass-root level NGOs like ours are supported and funded by GF.

Thanks.

Sudhakar Malpe
Mumbai, India.
------------------

Moderator:
Thank you Sudhakar. Please be assured that all the issues raised in the eForum are treated with seriousness, and forwarded for deliberation. We will respond soon.

Dear Members,

We welcome even more of your valuable suggestions regarding this week's topic. In your responses on reducing transaction costs and improving coordination with global and local partners by examining parts of the Global Fund’s financing model (including the rounds system and the Comprehensive Funding Policy) and the Global Fund’s architecture (including CCMs, PRs, LFAs and the TRP), please continue to keep in mind the need to balance accountability and efficiency. You could also borrow from and build upon your previous suggestions. One way of doing this is to relate them to your local and own experiences:


http://forum.theglobalfund.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=70 (Civil Society & Private sector)

http://forum.theglobalfund.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=60 (Improving grant perfomance)

http://forum.theglobalfund.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=56 (Improving Complementarity with key partners)

To post your message please click on the 'Post Reply' button.

Thank You.

Mar 21, 2006

Message From Ogenke Makolam, owerri-Nigeria

The Global Fund should work out a new financing system that will ensure an effective reach at the local levels using non governmental organizations and civil society organizations that are credible and have the capacity to deliver and implement programs for the eradication of these diseases that have ravaged most parts of Africa, especially Nigeria. Non governmental organizations and civil society organizations are are closer and within reach of these affected rural communities where Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis mostly affect the people of Africa. This strategy will be far-reaching and cost effective than the use of the global fund current country coordinating mechanism. In the current outcome of this CCM system the funds were expended but did not reach the desired goals and the purpose for which these funds were expended. Also the Global Fund should look into funding more projects in the area of malaria eradication in Africa.
_________________
LETS HELP MAKE AFRICA FREE FROM DISEASES AND POVERTY ULTIMATELY SHOWING CONCERN FOR HUMANITY