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Global Financing Facility CSO Coordination Group Meeting
Washington D.C., January 15, 2016
Background
Seventeen partners representing twelve global and regional organizations with an interest in the
Global Financing Facility took the opportunity of a 14 January USAID organized meeting on ‘Civil
Society Engagement in support of Every Woman, Every Child: A Workshop to Advance a Common
Action Frame’ to meet and discuss how to advance the requests emanating from civil society around
how to improve their engagement in the Global Financing Facility (GFF) (see Agenda – Annex 1, List
of Participants – Annex 2). This meeting used as a basis the requests and recommendations
emerging from the 14 November 2015 Civil Society Pre Meeting to the GFF Learning Meeting hosted
in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2015 (see meeting report in Annex 3), and learnings from ongoing
research led by Catalysts for Change on the experiences of civil society in GFF front runner countries
(recommendations currently in draft form to be made public in February 2016).
The meeting also benefited from summaries of the WHO led ‘Health actors meeting to harmonize
advocacy on health system strengthening for UHC and SDGs health targets’ (see outcome statement
in Annex 4) and a USAID led meeting ‘Civil Society in Support of Every Woman, Every Child: A
workshop to advance a Common Frame of Action’ and raised questions about how to best
collaborate across various efforts aimed at engaging civil society and strengthening their coalitions in
countries (see concept note – Annex 5). The following sections provide updates and next steps on
key recommendations aimed at improving civil society engagement in the GFF.
Summary and next steps
Brief summary of next steps
1. Develop terms of reference, finalize membership and set up a civil society coordination
group (global, regional, national)
2. Obtain terms of reference for the GFF website editorial group and undertake a process for
nominating a civil society representative
3. Develop a concept note for a civil society website on the GFF, set up a working group to
guide the website and product development
4. Develop a schedule of webinars – next one 11 February
5. Set up a subgroup on advocacy around the minimum standards – develop and implement a
strategy targeting the GFF leadership and in country advocacy by civil society
6. Develop a workplan for comprehensive strengthening of civil society for better engagement
in the GFF, cost and mobilize resources
Setting up a civil society coordination group on the GFF
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Civil society in Nairobi called for the setup of a coordination group on the GFF to ensure adequate
alignment of global, regional and national partners around support to the GFF. Meeting participants
in Washington propose that the primary objectives of this group include:
1. Advocating for CS priorities and interest;
2. Coordinating GFF related CS efforts to ensure efficient use of limited CS resources;
3. Promoting access to information by CS for optimal engagement in the GFF processes at all
levels;
4. Acting as a resource group for the GFF CS IG representative;
5. Acting as a pool of experts to work on various GFF related working groups;
6. Disseminating and consulting to broader networks on questions related to the GFF.
Partners note that the group should be open to self nomination from interested parties, with a an
annual review of members. Partners request that Coordinating group members should:
Be required to, at minimum required to implement GFF related activities or support CS
engagement in GFF countries and undertake consultation with other stakeholders within
their network to ensure that their views are representative of their constituents and to
ensure of the outflow of information from the coordination group to a broad set of actors;
and
Include at least two representatives from civil society from each of the GFF countries (to be
selected from a working list of partners in countries representative of broad networks and
already involved in GFF work.
To set up the coordinating group, PMNCH will draft a set of proposed TORs and membership for the
coordination group and send these out for review by this participants of the Washington D.C.
meeting. Subject to the approval of the members of this meeting, it will proceed to form the
coordination group.
Advocating for the Minimum Standards to Enhance Participation, Transparency, and
Accountability
The minimum standards proposed by civil society as a means to ensure participation, transparency
and accountability of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health platforms were presented at
the GFF learning meeting, and well received by both countries and the GFF secretariat as a useful
guiding piece. Many countries recognized that they had not met the recommendations set out in
the standards. While presented, the minimum standards were not adopted. They now need to be
formally presented to the next meeting of the GFF Investors’ Group with a request for formal
inclusion as part of the operational documents for countries on the GFF. An advocacy Strategy
around the minimum standards is required and should be aimed at:
1. ensuring the adoption of the minimum standards as part of the guiding documents for GFF
countries (through advocacy to the GFF secretariat and IG members ahead of the IG meeting
to identify allies, and potential areas of concern), and
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2. Build the capacity of CS in the GFF countries to advocate for the adoption of the minimum
standards, and a representation of civil society in national RMNCAH platforms. This should
be done through in country meetings and can leverage the women deliver regional
consultations.
Both objectives will require the development of an ‘investment case’ for engaging with civil society.
Partners request the setup of a small advocacy working group on the minimum standards and
development and circulation a draft advocacy strategy for CS coordinating group endorsement and
implementation. Please send expressions of interest for the advocacy working group on minimum
standards to [email protected].
Enhancing communications around the GFF
Civil society in Nairobi have requested access to timely and constituency specific information on the
GFF to enable their engagement. They have specifically requested for:
1. A seat on the editorial board of the GFF website;
2. A CS specific website on the GFF;
3. Continued webinars on the GFF supplemented by email consultation when required;
4. The setup of a GFF mailing list for those hoping to have regular information and updates;
Partners have agreed to pool resources to meet these needs and agree that:
PMNCH will obtain terms of references from the GFF secretariat for the editorial group and
under the guidance of the coordinating group will set up a transparent process for selecting
a civil society representative to the editorial group under the guidance of the civil society
coordination group. The process for nomination and selection will be made public in due
course.
PMNCH will support the development of a civil society specific website on the GFF (linked to
existing resources like the RHSC webpage on the GFF), under the guidance of a civil society
working group to be self-nominated. Expressions of interest for the website working group
to be emailed to [email protected]. This working group will advise on content for the website
and contribute to the development of content pieces (tools, scorecards and briefings) for
civil society. IPPF, AHBN and RHSC will be producing documentation related to the GFF that
can be of use for this site.
PMNCH and GHC will in collaboration host regular webinars with the civil society Investors’
Group representatives for broad civil society. These webinars will be advertised broadly by
all members of the civil society coordination group to ensure the broadest possible
participation.
Regular email updates and documents of interest will be made available to a GFF mailing list.
To be added to this list, please email [email protected]. All CS coordinating group members
also commit to sending relevant documents to their relevant GFF mailing lists. Documents
for broad consultation will also be shared via PMNCH, GHC, RHSC and AHBN listserves. To
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join the PMNCH please sign up here, to join GHC please sign up here, to join the RHSC please
sign up here and to join AHBN please sign up at [email protected]
Supporting civil society in countries to engage with the RMNCAH platforms and the GFF
Civil society engagement has been highly variable across countries. In many countries the GFF
planning has built on national processes and platforms with varying levels of CS engagement. GFF
processes have also operated very rapidly, with little provision of timely information. Civil society
engagement with national RMNCAH platforms and with the GFF needs informed, capacitated and
resourced civil society. Civil society call for partners to support their organization and their ability to
align efforts and better engage with various RMNCAH processes.
Various efforts are underway, led by different partners to support civil society engagement with
national RMNCAH processes. The WHO in November 2016 held a meeting aimed at streamlining CS
advocacy for universal health coverage and might generate joint workplans for civil society in
countries. USAID on 14 January also held a meeting aimed at starting the discussion on how to align
the efforts of large partners such as GAVI, PMNCH, FP2020 and the GFF who all support CS
engagement in countries for different but related objectives. This meeting is anticipated to generate
a framework for common engagement that will guide the efforts of these aforementioned partners.
As the GFF CS coordinating group considers how to build on these efforts to provide the much
needed support requested by CS in GFF countries, in the long term, they recognize that short term
support to civil society in countries aimed at providing limited resources and information around the
GFF is required immediately to allow for engagement with the RMNCAH platforms and investment
case development processes.
PMNCH regional NGO focal points have been asked to support national RMNCAH or related
coalitions in engaging in the GFF processes. Partners also request the development of a proposed
workplan for strengthening civil society in countries that can be used by the CS coordinating group
to mobilize resources. PAI will start on an outline for the civil coordinating group to contribute to.
Electing civil society representatives to the GFF Investors’ Group
A process for electing representatives to the IG will begin in June 2016. A call for nominations, for
civil society representatives will be issued by the PMNCH civil society board representatives in early
June outlining a process for submitting applications as well as criteria for selection. This criteria for
selection will be developed by the GFF civil society coordinating group. Broad dissemination of this
call will be supported to ensure that representatives are sought from all levels, particularly target
countries. Final submissions will be reviewed by the PMNCH civil society board representatives and
a final selection made based on criteria that will have been made public during the call for
nominations.
Key issues / Proposed agenda items for the Second Investors’ Group Meeting
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Meeting participants outlined the following as proposed agenda items or issues to be raised by the
civil society representatives at the next meeting of the investors’ group, scheduled to take place on
17-18 February 2016 near London.
The minimum standards
Resourcing civil society engagement and accountability
Ensuring additionality of GFF resources through better monitoring
Shaping the role of the proposed GFF support staff to be seconded to ministries
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ANNEX 1
Global Financing Facility CSO Coordination Group Meeting
Global Health Council Office, Washington – DC
15 January 2016, 9:00 - 12:00
AGENDA
Chaired by: Joanne Carter, Executive Director, RESULTS & Mesfin Teklu Tessema, Partnership Leader
(Vice President), Health & Nutrition, World Vision International
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome, Christine Sow, Global Health Council
09:15 – 09:30 Introductions & meeting objectives (Mesfin & Joanne, GFF IG reps)
9:30 – 10:30 Key outcomes and needs from the Nairobi meeting, re: Minimum Standards
advocacy, communication needs, coordination and alignment (Kadi Toure,
PMNCH & Rachel Wilson, Catalysts for Change)
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:30 Reflections on the 14th meeting, as well as other initiatives, & priorities for
alignment with GFF (Betsy McCallon, White Ribbon Alliance/PMNCH)
11:30 – 12:00 Planning for a face to face NGO meeting in February, ie, possibly before or
after the 17-18 Feb GFF Investors’ Group meeting near London: aims, LoP,
agenda (Kadi Toure & Maty Dia, Save the Children/PMNCH)
12:00 – 12:15 Closing, Christine Sow
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ANNEX 2
Financing Facility CSO Coordination Group Meeting
Global Health Council Office, Washington – DC
15 January 2016, 9:00 - 12:00
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Organization/Affiliation
Participants Email addresses
Africa Health Budget
Network
Aminu Magashi Garba [email protected]
Catalysts for Change (C4C
Global)
Rachel Wilson [email protected]
FP 2020 Monica Kerrigan
Global Health Council
Christine Sow
Danielle Heiberg
Global Health Visions
Susanna Hurd [email protected]
IPPF Preethi Sundaram
Barbara Kennedy
PAI Suzanna Dennis [email protected]
PMNCH
Kadi Toure
Lori McDougall
Maty Dia
RESULTS
Joanne Carter
John Fawcett
RHSC John Skibiak [email protected]
White Ribbon Alliance Betsy McCallon [email protected]
World Vision
Mesfin Teklu
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ANNEX 3
Global Financing Facility Learning Meeting – Civil Society Pre-Meeting 14 November 2015, 9:00 – 17:30
Nairobi, Kenya MEETING SUMMARY
Meeting context and objectives On 16-18 November, multi-stakeholder groups from the GFF frontrunner countries and second wave countries gathered to exchange experiences and lessons learned on implementation at a GFF Learning Meeting. This exchange aimed to focus, in part, on how to structure effective country platforms that are representative, flexible and agile, transparent and accountable, whilst also able to guide the development of robust investment cases and a mobilization of financing for implementation. On 14 November, the GFF Investors’ Group civil society representatives, Joanne Carter-RESULTS Executive Director, and Mesfin Teklu-World Vision International Partnership Leader, with the support of the Global Financing Facility Secretariat and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), convened a one-day pre-curser to the GFF Learning Meeting with Civil Society (CS). As a pre-curser, This CS pre-meeting aimed to provide a forum for discussion and exchange among CS organizations from GFF front runner and second wave countries and generate recommendations for the GFF Learning Meeting on November 16-18 on optimal CS engagement in country platforms, and in the GFF more broadly (See meeting agenda in Annex 1). The specific objectives of the meeting were to:
Share experiences from the front-runner GFF countries on CS engagement in the development of health financing strategies and RMNCAH investment cases
Propose a robust set of minimum standards for CS engagement to share in the GFF Learning Meeting, for inclusion in the paper on country platforms and as a measure of quality assurance
Discuss how these minimum standards can practically be implemented in frontrunner and second wave countries
The meeting brought together 45 civil CS representatives from 13 countries – including 10 of the 12 Global Financing Facility (GFF) countries. Participants came together to learn about the GFF and key GFF processes, share their experiences and engagement with the GFF to-date, and discuss recommendations for strengthening CS involvement in the GFF processes and country platforms (see List of Participants in Annex 2). All documents related to the CS meeting are available here. A summary of the main points of discussion follows. Recommendations emanating from the meeting Participants unanimously agreed that the coordination of CS was critical, and that they need to foster strong relationships with key stakeholders to show the value-add of CSOs in the GFF Country Platforms. The workshop concluded with a number of key messages and recommendations to be brought forward by CS representatives to the GFF Learning Meeting and in relevant future meetings, set out below:
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1. To-date, civil society engagement has been highly variable across countries, but many country CSOs have expressed that they have had challenges and very little exposure to the GFF. (See CSO engagement in GFF front runner countries – Annex 3)
2. Recognize civil society value. We, as civil society, want the GFF to be successful, which is why we want to be part of it. CSOs have a lot to add, and civil society representation is not just about ‘checking a box’. CSOs have valuable knowledge, experience and skills to contribute, including:
a. Technical assistance for planning and implementation, reaching hard-to-reach populations
b. Independent accountability c. Enhancing communication and transparency with a broader network of stakeholders d. Presence at sub-national level, for implementation and monitoring/accountability e. Representing citizen voices
3. Adopt the Minimum Standards recommended by civil society to ensure that civil society and other stakeholder groups, are meaningfully engaged in GFF processes. (See minimum standards in Annex 4)
4. Include multiple CSO representatives in Country Platforms. CSOs are diverse and require sufficient seats to allow for adequate representation. They should be able to select their own representatives, with clear selection criteria, including representation from national and sub-national levels (included in minimum standards).
5. Enhance communication about GFF, including global/regional/national documents, timelines, and processes.
a. CSOs should be represented on the editorial board of the GFF website and involved in the development of the communications strategy.
b. There should also be a separate non-World Bank site for CSOs to share information on the GFF and mailing list, key resources and tools and provide a space for exchange (an information hub for CSOs, with an interactive component).
c. There should be a coordinating group of CSOs involved in the GFF at the global, regional, and national level, to allow for alignment of efforts and resources and regular exchange.
d. In the meantime, investment cases and all information on country platform focal points and timelines must be available online.
6. Ensure adequate resources for CSO Engagement. a. There should be GFF funds set aside at the central/global level for CSO engagement. We
recommend a specific grant/fund that CSOs can access directly (rather than only relying on governments to disburse a percentage of country funds to CSOs).
b. The GFF secretariat and Investors Group must also seek out other complementary, independent, non-GFF funds for CSO-led accountability.
Conclusion and Next Steps The meeting was highly valuable in aligning CS representatives from GFF countries, and global and regional representatives, around common recommendations for enhancing and ensuring meaningful CS engagement in GFF processes at national, regional, and global levels. The recommendations outlined above were brought forward to the GFF Learning Meeting, and the minimum standards
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were presented with a request for their adoption as part of operating guidelines for country platforms. As a result many countries present in the learning meeting noted their commitment to strengthening CSO engagement. The CSOs present during the learning meeting have also all committed to informing the broader coalitions that they represent on the deliberations, with a view of identifying a way forward. The CS Investors’ Group representatives will also submit the proposed minimum standards to the full investors’ Group for consideration. It was also noted in the Learning meeting that the proposed Minimum Standards were not just for CSOs but are intended to ensure meaningful participation of all stakeholders at country level in the GFF processes. The meeting was also very useful in identifying information and communication needs of CS engaged in the GFF. As identified by the meeting participants, the organizers will advance the setup of a CSO coordination group, and will support this group to develop and implement a joint strategy that responds to the needs identified by CS during this meeting. A proposed concept note for a follow up meeting to set up a coordinating group and develop a workplan is available in Annex 5.
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ANNEX 4
“Speaking with one voice, stronger together”
Montreux 7 and 8 December 2016
We, representatives from international development agencies and global and local civil society
organizations, gathered to work on improving harmonization and alignment of advocacy around
health and community systems strengthening for universal health coverage (UHC) and the
Sustainable Development health targets at the country levels.
Together, we call for urgent action towards better harmonization and alignment of advocacy and
agree to develop a plan of action to be implemented at the country, regional and global levels.
We commit to meet again during the upcoming 2016 World Health Assembly to assess progress on
the plan of action and continue to move forward on this, our common agenda.
We invite all agencies and organizations to join with us in this ambitious undertaking.
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ANNEX 5
Civil Society Engagement Framework
A proposal for collaboration
Value proposition: working collaboratively across GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020 will
promote a more harmonized and coordinated approach to civil society engagement at
country level to achieve greater reach and impact.
1. Why is civil society engagement important?
Evidence suggests that supporting active civil society engagement promotes equity and
access to improved health service delivery and health outcomes.
There is growing evidence and visibility of CSO engagement in national acceleration plans.
Meaningful civil society engagement is a key goal and requirement for GAVI, PMNCH, GFF,
and FP2020.
2. Why is collaboration between GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020 important?
Coordinated efforts will promote harmonization of strategies, and development of a
common language, leading to increased efficiencies across Reproductive, Maternal,
Newborn, Child, Maternal, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).
Leveraging the work of both organizations will promote broader and deeper engagement of
country level stakeholders, and increase the voice of youth.
There are identified gaps in CSO engagement and collaboration between GAVI, PMNCH, GFF,
and FP2020 can pave the way for effective inclusion, community engagement and social
accountability.1
3. How will collaboration and coordination between GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020
create added value?
Mutual reinforcement across the three entities will strengthen overall government-CSO
relationships and lead to more aligned and impactful action across the RMNCAH continuum.
Sharing of evidenced based practice on how to create meaningful engagement (e.g. citizens’
hearings) will lead to improved engagement within and across constituencies.
Collaborative approaches around campaigns and core messaging opportunities (e.g. around
vaccination; linked to scorecard reporting; linked to world health events, etc.) will maximize
opportunities for impact.
1 Essentially, joining forces is necessary to address persisting challenges – the complementary that these three entities bring could be very powerful.
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4. A Framework for Civil Society Engagement (CSE)?
(a) Building on a Community Health Framework
USAID recently launched a Community Health Framework (which can be found here on the
site of one of our parners, mPowering, (http://mpoweringhealth.org/the-community-health-
framework/) and as a toolkit on the ORB platform (http://www.health-orb.org/toolkits/.
Developed in consultation with over 60 community health experts and practitioners, it
provides an evidence based approach to community health development.
The Framework will support for Ministries of Health in developing and strengthening
programs for improved community health outcomes.
The Framework provides a structure for dialogue, and a guide for national level diagnosis of
needs and planning of actions, using a ‘common language’, and provides a living and growing
toolbox of case studies, models and other resources.
(b) Potential for a complementary Civil Society Engagement Framework?
Building on the community health framework model, GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020 could
support development of a CSE Framework.
A CSE Framework could provide a guide to support GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020 to
increase meaningful civil society engagement at country level (national, district and
community)2 and to do this in a harmonized and coordinated way.
It could provide a toolkit with resources (e.g. case studies, proven civil society engagement
approaches and other resources) which can be adapted and translated for local contexts and
specific issues (such as vaccination) and campaigns.
5. What could a CSE Framework achieve?
A Framework developed in partnership with GAVI, PMNCH, GFF, and FP2020, in consultation
with CSO experts, could help to build skills (organizational, community and individual) and
technical expertise in four key areas where civil society engagement can have an impact on
equity and health outcomes:
o Advocacy (e.g. to raise demand for services)
o Service delivery (e.g. to increase access and improve quality)
o Accountability (e.g. for service delivery, investments etc.)
o Policy (e.g. to drive change to increase investment for better access, quality, etc.).
2 E.g. the GFF Stakeholder Engagement Plan as proposed at the Kenya meeting on 16 November; PMNCH country engagement plan (as per draft strategy, Sept 2015)
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