I am contacting you on behalf of an NGO in the UK. It is one of the leading humanitarian NGOs in the fight against hunger and malnutrition worldwide. We work towards the reduction of poverty, by eradicating hunger and acute malnutrition. We aim at meeting the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in the world.

We have been working with a local partner in Zambia since 2003 in assisting the most vulnerable HIV/AIDS population. We have developed specific expertise in the links between nutrition / food security and HIV/AIDS. We have also led pioneering research on the link between HIV/AIDS and access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in Zambia. We are currently seeking funding for a programme implemented by our local partner.

We understand that proposals for funding is only usually received from CCMs and that within each country a CCM will designate the grant towards a Principal Recipient. I am unsure however over where we would be able to go. Is it possible to receive funding as a sub-recipient; should the NGO/or local partner be represented within the CCM Zambia; and finally, what are the exceptional circumstances where the Global Fund would or may fund an NGO directly. I will now briefly outline some aspects of the project.

The specific programme we seek your consideration on is:

Integrated community led support to the most affected PLWHA, OVCs and their carers in the district in question.

This project seeks to address the following problems:

1. The nutritional, food and economic security needs of 500 PLWHA and 1500 OVCs, with particular attention on the needs of women infected and directly affected by HIV/AIDS (includes carers of OVCs, women headed households and pregnant / breastfeeding women).
   
   
2. The poor community based education on HIV/AIDS pertaining to prevention, treatment, services, stigma and gender related issues.
   
   
3. The weak organisational capacities of 7 community-based organisations in the district.
   

The activities in this project will be centered on three issues: service delivery, awareness and advocacy, capacity building and organisational development. The project will take a “learn by doing” approach, whereby activities for addressing needs are a component of capacity building, and where the beneficiaries (PLHWA, OVCs and CBOs) are at the centre of designing and implementing activities which address the needs, generate awareness and build organisational capacities. The project will also adopt a holistic and socio-economic integrated approach in all of its activities integrating health, nutrition, food security and education. The project adheres to all of the principles that the Global Fund requires regarding eligibility. The project also addresses and actively accounts on issues such as the link between malnutrition and livelihoods and HIV/AIDS, focuses on empowering women and vulnerable groups to take an active part in regaining food security within the context of being a PLWHA or affected by the disease.

Once again I would be very grateful for any information regarding eligibility for funding directly from the Global Fund or what other routes there are to secure funding.

Answer: Eligibility for NGO to receive direct funding from the Global Fund

Thank you for your e-mail below and your interest in working with the Global Fund in Zambia. In response to your inquiries on sub-recipient participation and/or NGO direct funding, we would like to share with you the following information on the proposal submission process for the Global Fund:

1. Applicants may apply for funding from the Global Fund by responding to a 'Call for Proposals'. The Round 8 Call for Proposals was launched on 1 March 2008.  All relevant forms are currently available on the Global Fund website (http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/apply/call8/).
   
   
2. Typically, the Global Fund only receives proposals which have been developed through a consultative, multi-stakeholder process, and clearly demonstrate that they are in line with the country’s national disease prevention and control plans.
   
   
3. In Zambia, the Global Fund has already provided grant funds for HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to successful applications from a multi-stakeholder group.  This group is called the 'Country Coordinating Mechanism' (CCM) of Zambia.  Information on Zambia’s existing Global Fund grants is available at the following address: http://www.theglobalfund.org/programs/countrysite.aspx?countryid=ZAM&lang=en.
   
   
4. In most instances, organizations would present their proposal ideas for inclusion, or request to participate as a sub-recipient, within the broader proposal developed by the CCM, however, being that the CCM is a country-led representative body, circumstances vary across countries/economies. We encourage you to contact the CCM in Zambia to discuss your ideas, using the key contacts details available on the Global Fund website and found at this link:
   http://www.theglobalfund.org/programs/CCMMembers.aspx?CountryId=ZAM&lang=en.
   
   
5. The Global Fund only provides financial support directly to NGOs in very limited circumstances.  These exceptions are explained in the Round 8 Guidelines for Proposals.  You will find this information at: http://www.theglobalfund.org/documents/rounds/8/GuidelinesR8_single_en.pdf.
      
   
6. We also suggest that you read our 'Frequently Asked Questions' to more fully understand the Global Fund’s proposal process.  These 'FAQs' are available at the following link: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/apply/call8/other/#1

Please note that the Proposals Hotline is available through the Round 8 Call for Proposals Forum at http://myglobalfund.org/forums/default.aspx?GroupID=60.  Everyone can read questions and answers that have already been posted, but registration is necessary to post a new question: http://myglobalfund.org/user/CreateUser.aspx?ReturnUrl

Yours sincerely,

Proposal Advisory Services