Author: Yuliia Holub
Eurasian Harm Reduction Association was selected as a New Host of the Regional civil society and community coordination and communication Platform in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The Regional Platforms for Communication and Coordination were established in 6 regions of the world by the Global Fund within its Community, Rights and Gender Special Initiative (CRG-SI) which was implemented throughout 2014-2016. In November 2016 the Global Fund Board approved $ 15 million to continue with the implementation of the CRG SI throughout the 2017-2019 funding cycle. As before CRG SI will be implemented via three mutually reinforcing components: (1) Short-Term Technical Assistance Program, (2) Long-Term Capacity Development and Meaningful Engagement of Key and Vulnerable Populations and (3) the Regional Platforms for Communication and Coordination. At the end of 2017 six civil society organizations were selected by the Global Fund to host the platforms and the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) has got a new host: the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA).
The regional platforms for communication and coordination are expected to have a key role in engaging civil society organizations and community networks in Global Fund processes. They are responsible to foster regional dialogue, exchange knowledge and good practices among civil society actors and networks, as well as to disseminating information on technical assistance opportunities across civil society and community groups across all countries where the Global Fund has grants and/or countries under Global Fund multi-country grants.
To progress towards these goals, during the next 2,5 years the EHRA in its role as a regional platform will be aiming to achieve the following objectives in EECA region:
Objective 1. Further the meaningful engagement of civil society and community groups through regular bi-directional communication and provision of accurate and accessible information to enhance the knowledge and participation of these actors in Global Fund related processes.
Objective 2. Improve the overall impact of Global Fund programs and interventions, and disease responses more globally through strengthened engagement of civil society and communities affected by HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
Objective 3. Expand access to technical assistance for civil society and community groups through greater coordination with the CRG Strategic Initiative short-term TA component, as well as key national, regional and global technical assistance partners.
Objective 4. Support strategic civil society and community capacity development initiatives through fostering spaces for engagement and collective participation in key decision-making processes, in particular as they relate to community, rights and gender.
More specifically the EECA Regional Platform activities in next 2.5 years will include a number of national workshops for civil society and community organizations involved into the implementation of the Global Fund grants as sub-recipients or sub-sub-recipients; regional workshop for CCM members from EECA countries – representatives of civil society sector; support for NGOs and CBOs in development of the quality TA requests for the CRG Technical Assistance; improvement of access to the Global Fund related information through webinars, info notes, coordination calls; and other activities.
“Meaningful involvement of communities and civil society into the Global Fund related processes in the region, especially those focused on transition to national funding of services – is crucial to guarantee that those components of HIV\TB response of a high priority for KAPs are not lost within the transition and their sustainability is ensured”, says Anna Dovbakh, the Executive Director of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association. “As a hosting organization of the EECA Regional Platform we will work to help community leaders to become key actors in the process of effective transitioning in the region”.
Within the implementation of this project EHRA is planning to work closely with other key regional organizations and community networks in EECA. In particular EHRA will be aiming to develop a closer communication and cooperation with those organizations being selected as CRG Technical Support Providers in the region to allow timely provision of peer-to-peer technical assistance on human rights, gender, community systems strengthening.
You may follow us on a Platform’s Facebook Page as well as join the EECA Regional Platform Facebook group. The Web-site of the Regional Platform will be re-launched soon, and this will be announced separately.
Any questions regarding the work of the Regional Platform or how to apply for the Global Fund’s Community, Rights and Gender Technical Assistance you may address to Ivan Varentsov, EHRA Sustainability & Transition Advisor: eecaplatform@harmreductioneurasia.org