HOW
TO SUBMIT PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS
1.
What is a Coordinated Country Proposal (CCP)?
The
Coordinated Country Proposal (CCP) is the single coordinated
proposal to be submitted to the Fund through the
Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). A CCP must address
one or more of the three diseases (HIV AIDS, tuberculosis
or malaria) and may also address system-wide/cross-cutting
aspects of these diseases in ways that will contribute to
strengthening health systems, depending on country realities
and readiness.
2. Who can submit a CCP?
The
Fund accepts proposals from a Country Coordinating
Mechanism (CCM). There should be only one CCM per country,
except where a sub-national CCM exists. In certain circumstances
such as the case of very large countries, a sub-national
CCM, based on principles of inclusiveness and partnership,
may be formed to submit a proposal. Such a proposal should
be consistent with nationally formulated policies, and there
should be either evidence of a legal framework stating the
autonomy of the sub-national entity or endorsement by the
national-level CCM (or, if no national CCM exists, through
other relevant national authority) for the application.
Non-CCM proposals can only be accepted under very specific
conditions described below (see question 8).
COUNTRY COORDINATION MECHANISMS (CCM)
3.
What is a CCM?
The
CCM functions as a “national consensus group”
that coordinates proposal submission from its national partners.
The CCM should facilitate the proposal development process,
including the translation of national strategies into concrete
implementation plans with clear responsibilities, timing
of activities, budgets and expected outcomes; approve and
endorse the final version of a single coordinated country
proposal (CCP); and play a mayor role in monitoring and
follow up on the implementation of proposed activities.
The
CCM is a body that functions as a forum to promote true
partnership development and multi-sectoral programmatic
approaches. At the very least, in-country partners must
come together regularly to discuss plans, share information
and communicate on Fund issues. The CCM should engage
in substantive discussions and, therefore, its membership
should reflect the ability to maintain such a dialogue,
with a representative number of members and an active chair.
The CCM is an overall guiding body responsible for the use
of Fund resources. The CCM will need to manage relations
with the Fund.
The CCM should ensure that all relevant actors are involved
in the process; and that all views are taken into account.
As such, it is responsible for ensuring that information
relating to the Fund, such as the Call for Proposals
is disseminated widely to all interested parties in the
country. Interested parties in the country may include the
following: government agencies, NGOs, community?based organizations,
private sector institutions and bilateral and multilateral
agencies, as well as other organizations, such as country
or regionally based academic institutions or faith based
organizations, that can facilitate and support the programs.
The CCM is expected to be responsive and supportive of NGOs
and other civil society actors wishing to be included in
the Country Coordinated Proposal.
4. What is the recommended composition of a CCM?
A
CCM should be as inclusive as possible and seek representation
of the highest possible level from various sectors such
as:
- Government
- NGO/
community?based organizations
- Private
Sector
-
People living with HIV AIDS, TB and /or Malaria
-
Religious/Faith Based Groups
- Academic/Educational
Sector
- United
Nations/Multilateral/Bilateral Agencies
However,
CCMs should remain of a manageable size (between 15 and 30)
in order to work and discharge responsibility effectively.
Applicants
should not feel compelled to create totally new structures
only for the purpose of applying to the Fund. Where
possible, a CCM should not replace existing well-functioning,
coordinating mechanisms but rather build on them. For instance,
in countries where national multi-sectoral bodies to coordinate
programmes for specific diseases exist, (e.g. National AIDS
Council, Roll Back Malaria Committees and National Steering
Committees on TB control), CCMs may provide a forum on which
such national efforts on the three diseases can be collectively
coordinated and strengthened.
5. If no CCM exists, how can one be established?
If a country has no CCM, the relevant partners are encouraged
to set one up. Broad representation from governments, NGOs,
civil society, multilateral and bilateral agencies, and
the private sector should be invited to participate. The
government or any of the other partners including NGOs can
initiate the establishment of a CCM.
6. Where can information about a CCM be obtained?
A
number of countries have not yet had time to set up a CCM
or are in the process of doing so. To find out if your country
has an operational CCM, you could contact the Ministry of
Health, or any country office of the United Nations, especially
of UNAIDS or WHO. NGOs could approach their local networks/coalitions,
where they exist. Focal points of international partnerships
such as GAVI, the World AIDS Campaign, STOP TB or Roll Back
Malaria could also be contacted at country level.
A
list of existing CCMs can also be found on the Fund’s
website at: http://www.globalfundatm.org/proposals.html
7. What kind of institutional arrangements have
to be in place to manage a CCM?
Setting
up a CCM is a process managed by the country itself. The
requirements depend on each country’s situation.
8. Can a proposal be submitted outside the CCM?
The
Fund Board has reconfirmed that non-CCM applications
are not eligible unless the proposals satisfactorily explain
how they meet the following exceptional circumstances set
out in the Framework Document:
- Countries
without legitimate governments
- Countries
in conflict or facing natural disasters
- Countries
that suppress or have not established partnerships with
civil society and NGOs
9.
May a CCM submit more than one proposal for the same disease?
An
applicant may submit one CCP per round. However having a
proposal approved in one round does not preclude presenting
additional requests in another round. (See question 11).
10. Can a country that has submitted a successful
proposal apply again in a subsequent round?
Yes.
There is no limit regarding how many times a country can
apply in subsequent rounds. Subsequent CCPs should clearly
describe how the new proposal fits into the earlier one,
discuss results expected to be achieved by previous support,
and outline the expected additional achievements to be generated
by request for new resources. Obviously balances between
countries and diseases as well as absorptive capacity considerations
will take into account the already ongoing proposals.
11. Could the Fund approve more than one CCP in a given
country?
The
Fund can approve only one CCP per round (see also
question 2).
12. Can international NGOs that are based in developed
countries apply for funding?
No.
However, CCM proposals may include partners from developed
countries and will be eligible.
13. Can government units (institutions, districts,
states etc.) submit proposals on their own?
No.
Government units must participate in the country’s
CCM. The CCM will outline in its proposal whether and how
particular partners (governmental or non-governmental, or
particular government unit) would be involved in the implementation
of the proposal.
14. Does the Fund accept multi-country proposals?
Yes, but there are different mechanisms for this purpose.
First, multiple countries may form a Regional CCM to submit
a Co-ordinated Regional Proposal (CRP) in order to address
common issues among a group of different countries. Typically
this may entail border issues that cannot be solved from
one side only. The planned activities should involve and
complement the national plans of each partner country. The
principal stakeholders from all countries involved in the
proposal should be active participants in the development,
oversight and implementation of the programs. The basic
principles of inclusiveness and partnership that apply to
a national CCM will apply in this case as well. There should
be an explanation on how the coordinated proposal adds value
beyond what national level proposals would achieve (e.g.
sharing of information and best practices, etc.). Endorsement
by the Chair or Vice-Chair of the CCM or, if no national
CCM exists, through other relevant national authority of
all the countries involved will be required.
A
different type of Multi-country proposal occurs when a Regional
Institution prepares the submission. (See question 16).
15. Are there specific regulations for Small Island
States?
Countries
classified as Small Island States according to the United
Nations definition may form a Regional CCM to submit a multi-country
proposal. Each constituent country will not be required
to additionally form its own CCM.
16. Can regional intergovernmental organizations
apply for funding?
In
order to address cross-border or regional issues, proposals
from regional organizations (intergovernmental organizations
and international NGOs, etc.) can be submitted for funding.
All requirements of any proposal, such as civil society
participation hold. However there is no need to form a Regional
CCM. The submitting entity would be the regional organization.
As in question 14 above, endorsement by the Chair or Vice-Chair
of the CCM (or if no national CCM exists, through other
relevant authority) of all the countries involved in the
proposal will be required.
The
regional context in which the proposal
is submitted should be provided. The added value of a regional
approach and the details on the applying regional organization
should also be clearly set out.
17. Which countries are eligible to submit proposals?
In
general, any country except countries represented
in the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
is eligible for funding by the Fund. A country’s
eligibility for funding depends on following the specific
criteria set out below (see question 20).
The
highest priority will be given to proposals from countries
and regions with the greatest need, based on highest burden
of disease and the least ability to bring the required additional
financial resources to address these health problems.
18. What is a reasonable budget for funding proposals?
No
funding maximum or ceiling has been set for applications
to the Fund. However, the Fund encourages the submission
of proposals that complement already existing programs and
efforts.
19. Are multiyear proposals accepted?
Yes.
Proposals that cover a period of up to 5 years will be considered.
20. What kind of proposals will have the best chance
of being funded?
Successful
proposals must clearly demonstrate the added value and impact
that additional resources would have on the epidemics in
country. Successful proposals will focus on measurable results.
Successful
proposals will in general be based on:
-
Technical soundness of approach
- Country
partnerships
- Feasibility
with respect to implementation plan and management
- Potential
for programmatic and financial sustainability
- Recent
country situation analysis
- Monitoring
& Evaluation
In
addition, successful proposals will include a focus on institutional
and absorptive capacity.
21. Does the Fund support basic research projects?
No.
However, the Fund supports operational research projects
as part of a broader scope.
22. How will eligibility to receive funding from
the Fund be assessed?
In
assessing the conditions for support, the following parameters
will be taken into account:
- Disease
burden for HIV AIDS, TB and/or malaria –
based on accepted international standards for assessing
disease prevalence, incidence and magnitude.
- Potential
for rapid increase of disease – based on
accepted international indicators such as recent disease
trends, size of population at risk, prevalence of risk
factors, extent of cross-border and internal migration,
conflict or natural disaster.
- Economic
and poverty situation - based on relevant indicators
such as GNP per capita, UN Human Development Index (HDI),
poverty indices, or other information on resource availability.
In
addition to the above criteria based on epidemiological
and socio-economic profile, proposals will also be evaluated
on the basis of the following critical dimensions.
- Political
commitment by the country submitting the proposal
at the highest possible level. Indicators of such commitment
may include: government contribution to the financing
of programmes covered in the proposal; per capita health
expenditure; existence of supportive national policies
and multiyear strategic plans; appropriate legislation;
and recent political pronouncements.
- Complementarity
and additionality to existing programmes by demonstrating
how the resources sought from the Fund would complement,
add to and be consistent with country level frameworks
(such as National Plans, Poverty Reduction Strategies
and Sector-wide Approaches, etc.) by building on or scaling
up existing efforts and filling existing gaps in national
budgets and funding from international donors. The funds
from the Fund should not replace existing national
and international resources.
- Absorptive
capacity by demonstrating how additional resources
from the Fund could be effectively absorbed and
used. Particularly in cases where applicants plan to greatly
increase the amount of financial resources, evidence should
be provided to show that programme and human resource
capacity exists to absorb the additional funding within
the given period.
- Soundness
of approach by explaining the mechanisms and
work plan it will use to achieve its goals. It should
clearly explain how the funds requested will be used,
justify the amount requested and indicate how those funds
will supplement resources from other sources.
- The
proposal should demonstrate a clear logical structure.
In particular, each component should have an overall goal.
The overall goal should translate into specific objectives.
In turn, each specific objective should translate into
a set of main activities to achieve these objectives.
The expected results for each of these levels of strategy
should be clearly formulated.
- For
each level of strategy (overall goal, specific objectives,
broad activities), indicators must be
provided to measure expected results of the proposal and/or
broader country programmes to which the proposal is linked.
(Please refer to Section VII. Monitoring and Evaluation
for details)
- For
each main activity, the proposal should also identify
the implementation arrangements including
roles and responsibilities of implementing partners.
23. Are there any guidelines for overhead costs?
No.
24.
Are there any guidelines for contracting consultants?
No.
25. What are the specific areas of focus of the
Fund?
The
Fund supports comprehensive programmes based on multi-sectoral
approaches and widely inclusive partnerships with a particular
emphasis on scaling up proven approaches.
Resources
from the Fund may be used to support activities which
must include on or more of the following:
- Prevention,
treatment, care and support of those directly affected
- Increased
access to health services; recruitment and training of
personnel and community health workers;
- Behaviour
change and outreach; and community-based programmes, including
care for the sick and orphans;
-
Provision of critical health products (including drugs)
to prevent and treat the three diseases, and for the strengthening
of comprehensive commodity management systems at country
level; and
- Operational
research in the context of programme implementation: Basic
research will not be covered by the Fund grants.
For
activities involving the use of essential drugs, there should
be a description of the products and treatment protocols
as well as resources (human and systems, etc.) in place
to ensure rational use and maximizing adherence and monitoring
of resistance.
26. What are the Fund’s priorities for funding?
The
highest priority will be given to proposals from countries
and regions with the greatest need, based on highest burden
of disease and the least ability to bring the required additional
financial resources to address these health problems.
27. Does the Fund support the purchase of ARV treatment?
Provision
of antiretroviral treatment is currently included in the
Fund’s scope as an example of the types of activities
that could be supported. The Board of the Fund will balance
the available resources against the priorities that countries
themselves identify within the context of comprehensive
health system strategies and plans.
28. How should a proposal be submitted?
The
proposal form is available on the Fund’s website
at www.globalfundatm.org
or can be requested by emailing proposals@globalfundatm.org
To be considered in the technical review, a hard copy of
the proposal must arrive at the Fund Secretariat
within the set deadline.
The
Fund’s postal address is as follows:
The Fund to Fight AIDS
International Conference Center Geneva
9 – 11 Rue de Varembé (mezzanine)
CH 1202
Fax:
+41 22 791 94 62
29. Must all proposals be submitted in English?
Proposals
in any of the six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian, Spanish) will be accepted and will be treated
equally regardless of the language of submission. However,
to facilitate the work of the Secretariat and the Technical
Review Panel (TRP) in reviewing applications (the review
will be conducted in English), countries are encouraged
to submit English translations.
30. If a country is in danger of missing the deadline,
can it send its proposal by email or fax?
No,
it cannot.
