The Need
The creation of the Global Fund, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the World Bank Multi-Country AIDS Program, and other donor initiatives has brought considerable amounts of new funding for HIV/AIDS activities. However, little of it is rapid, flexible, or locally governed. It is difficult for these “mega-programs” to respond quickly to:
- shifting priorities
- emergence of new implementing organizations
- opportunities for innovation
- technical, geographic, emergency, or financial gaps in the AIDS response
Since most Global Fund and World Bank funds flow through government structures, it is difficult to ensure that civil society receive needed resources in a timely fashion. The RFE is an independent funding source that fills in gaps created by delays. The RFE’s local governance body enables strategic debate and information sharing between policy leaders and donor partners.
How it Works
The RFE Steering Committee of commissioners and donors sets funding priorities and eligibility criteria. It responds rapidly and flexibly to new opportunities, areas where innovation is needed, and gaps in support. Management Sciences for Health provides technical guidance and oversight, while Deloitte & Touche Tanzania provides financial and grants management. The RFE makes new grants through a four-step process: call for concept letters and their review; request for proposals to successful concept letter writers; review of proposals; and pre-award assessment of grantees. The cycle usually takes six months from announcement to signature. Progress of the grants is monitored regularly and results are presented publicly every two years.
Innovative Features
- Uses email and the RFE website as the primary methods of applying for grants, increasing access to applicant forms and information and accept proposal submissions, while reducing application cost to civil society organizations.
- Maximizes transparency through use of print and radio announcements for concept letters and grant awards.
- Reduces the administrative burden on commissions or donors, and grantees through a simplified application process, low fixed costs, and succinct reporting requirements.
- Limits financial risk to donors through a rigorous pre-award assessment of grantees, which may result in supporting additional technical assistance for management capacity building.
- Targets funds strategically to geographic, technical, and population gaps through focused calls for proposals.
- A true multi-sectoral partnership where the government, donors, private sector, and international nonprofit institutions come together to fund, govern, and manage the program.
Program requirements
The RFE exists as a virtual mechanism defined by a Memorandum of Understanding between the donor partners and the national AIDS commission or other national leadership body. Funds are pooled in escrow accounts managed by Deloitte & Touche. Management of the RFE is provided through service contracts financed by one or more donors (in Tanzania by USAID). The RFE can be adapted for other health issues such as family planning, or for development emergencies such as earthquakes or refugee influx.
Success Stories
Additional Reading and Resources
