German BACKUP Initiative

projekt beendet

ContextHIV, tuberculosis and malaria are responsible for several million disease related deaths and a high burden of disease in many countries across the globe. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an international financing instrument with an annual budget of nearly USD 4 billion for commitments to programmes in over 140 partner countries. The fund’s work focuses on preventing and treating the three diseases. Global Fund grants have enabled recipient countries to substantially improve and expand their health services in past years. In order for countries to submit feasible concept notes to the Global Fund and put the funds acquired to effective use, they require expertise ranging from good financial management to implementation of health services that can also reach vulnerable populations.ObjectiveGovernment and civil society partners are enabled to successfully apply for and utilise Global Fund grants in order to implement measures for controlling HIV, tuberculosis and malaria more effectively and sustainably.ApproachSince 2002, the global health programme German BACKUP Initiative has assisted applicant countries in using Global Fund grants more effectively and efficiently.The initiative is commissioned by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and, since 2013, additionally funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The joint financing is a result of the cooperation between Germany and Switzerland in the Global Fund Board. Both countries were among the founders of the Global Fund and have been actively committed to a reform agenda for many years.In the area of technical support coordination BACKUP cooperates closely with the Global Fund Secretariat and other bilateral providers of technical support, as well as with the United Nations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).Flexibility, transparency and a partner-oriented focus based on demand characterise the German BACKUP Initiative’s approach. The initiative advises and trains a wide range of partners, such as networks of people living with HIV and national coordinating committees, in managing activities and in administering funds and material resources with full transparency.The programme’s work focusses on gender equality, strengthening existing health systems, participation of civil society, capacity development, and since 2012, also on risk management.The German BACKUP Initiative’s services include:• Assignment of experts to provide process and technical consultancy to organisations and networks• Capacity development for government and civil society actors• Financing agreements with governmental and non-governmental organisations for implementing project work.GIZ’s health programmes and its country offices contribute significantly towards quality assurance, acting as a local contact point for partners and partly undertaking reviews of applications.ResultsSupported by BACKUP, the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM) are better able to oversee the implementation of programmes financed by the Global Fund. In Mongolia, Sudan, Morocco and Zimbabwe the CCM have benefited from the advisory services provided. Their internal processes have been strengthened according to the Global Fund requirements, as has the participation of civil society actors.Cooperation with international non-governmental organisations such as Aidspan and International HIV/AIDS Alliance has improved the capacity of fund recipients to manage risk and is preventing the misuse of funds. In addition, member associations of the partner International Planned Parenthood Federation are providing health services for vulnerable populations.The Global Fund’s New Funding Model provides predictable funding for countries with a high disease burden and limited financial resources. BACKUP has successfully supported early applicants, including Myanmar, El Salvador and the regional Eurasian Harm Reduction Network.In Moldova, BACKUP has worked with a civil society organisation to improve the support provided to TB patients during treatment, and to raise awareness of the disease among the general public.

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