PartnersGF - 2004-08-24
GF Partnership Forum Draft Report [9]
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Draft report of the the Global Fund 'Partnership Forum'
[Bangkok, Thailand] 7th & 8th July 2004
[Key recommendations continued]
2.8 Flow of funds, Principal Recipients and the role of Local Fund Agents
A clear majority of participants in all the working groups expressed concern about the role and performance of Local Fund Agents (LFAs). Particular concerns cited included the lack of a permanent LFA presence within some countries, and subsequent delays and misunderstandings; poor LFA communication with the CCM; poor LFA communication with PRs; and LFA under-performance in ensuring that funds were moved quickly through the country system to the front-line of service providers.
The value of having a NGO-based PR to support other NGOs and CBOs, as part of a country project, was noted by many participants. Delegates cited the secretariats own recently published report documenting the efficacy of NGO-based PRs compared to government-based PRs, as well as sharing additional supporting anecdotes. A minority of delegates, mostly from Southern governments, expressed concern that the Fund should not impose such a model, even if it is sensible in many settings.
The secretariat's recent efforts to develop "early warning systems" for PR non-performance were warmly welcomed. Delegates suggested that when such an early warning system is triggered, CCMs and the Fund should automatically be required to reconsider the choice of PR.
Action required:
- The Global Fund Board and Secretariat should quickly take note of the extent of dissatisfaction with current LFAs, strongly issuing clarifying guidance to LFAs in the short-term, and considering more profound changes to the LFA system.
- The Secretariat's ongoing flexibility and pragmatism in dealing with PR issues was welcomed; the points noted above should be considered in future actions.