Do your CCM members effectively represent their constituencies? What are the challenges to such representation?

§         While CCM representation has indeed been a challenge for many CCMs, Ghana's CCM has begun to address this issue by clearly defining in its constitution on how constituents should be elected and represented. Elections should be "free and fair" which raises questions of how this can be achieved through the tools at the CCM's disposal.

§         It's important to keep the same representation in the CCM throughout all stages of program implementation in order to assure civil society effectiveness. Transparency in CCM management should be the primary objective in order to achieve the expected results of projects.

§         Members of Niger's CCM truly represent their constituencies. These members are appointed after free and transparent elections in the presence of a bailiff in their groups. With regards to international organizations, scope is given to the leader who, based on the areas of expertise of each one, gathers the views of these agencies.  

§         The CCM of Ecuador is in a constant process of consolidation. Civil Society is a key player in the CCM structure and the initiation of the CCM allowed for a better awareness of the organizations that are part of the civil society sector. The start of the CCM also obliged for a better internal organization of the sector since they needed to fulfill with the requirements to be part of the CCM. Participation in the CCM is mostly determined by personal commitment. There has also been a high rotation within the representatives of the CCM. The CCM of Ecuador is planning its internal rules & procedures. 

§         In Samoa, as a result of the change in the structure of the Department of Health, the CCM is struggling to reorganize its committee. One option is to form a new committee for the CSO that is detached from the government, using the example of Bolivia that has created an Executive Committee to intervene in the creation of the CCM.

§         In Senegal, the different sectors of society are well represented within the CCM, with a total of 46 members; the Technical Secretariat is comprised of 12 members. The CCM has a full-time administrative assistant, who takes on a lot of responsibility, raising the issue of earmarking some funds for the effective running of a CCM.

Contributions by:
English: Samuel Asiedu, M. Jackson
French: Lotusblanc, HAMA BALKISSA MODIBO, Babacar THIAM
Spanish: Lilly Marquez

The following is being suggested: Announcement for election, picking up of nomination form, vetting, presentation of manifesto/feedback mechanism to the voting member to help them make informed decision.

Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) are country-level private-public partnerships central to the Global Fund's commitment to local ownership and participatory decision-making. Representation in the CCM is therefore critical to efficient grant implementation and effective communication with all parties involved. For this to happen, CCM members should effectively represent their constituencies, which include those from government, private sector, bilateral/multilateral development partners, civil society, faith-based organizations, education and people affected by the diseases. With this in mind:

Q. Do your CCM members effectively represent their constituencies? What are the challenges to such representation?

Suggestion: your answer could include: some of the lessons learned about representation in your CCM; CCM representation and efficiency in reporting back to constituents; CCM plan to improve representation and feedback; ingredients for effective representation that you can encourage others to use; and any other related issues.