Update

The new Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) funding model was presented to key actors in the AIDS response in West and Central Africa during a workshop organized by UNAIDS and the Global Fund in Dakar, Senegal, from 2 to 3 April.

This new funding model allows the Global Fund to focus on countries with the highest disease burden and least resources available and gives a more flexible timeline for countries to adapt to it. Eligible countries may apply at any time during the three-year allocation period so that funding can be aligned with national budgeting cycles and country-specific demands. The funding application process has also been simplified and eligible countries are encouraged to base their request to the Global Fund on their national strategy or investment case.

Through a series of presentations, more than 260 participants, including representatives of ministries of health and finance, national aids councils, civil society, key populations and international organizations, learned the process to develop—through multipartner consultations—a streamlined concept note to present funding requests to the Global Fund.

This new funding model is launched at a time when countries are in the process of setting new targets to guide their principles beyond 2015. Participants emphasized the need to mobilize more domestic funds for national HIV responses and to use the Global Fund as an additional source that would complement the resources provided by the state.