CLAC’s new independent review shares findings and recommendations for enhancing community engagement, with an emphasis on grant making and grant implementation.

Published by MSMGF (The Global Forum on MSM & HIV), this new review synthesizes good practices and proposes a series of strategic actions for the Global Fund in efforts to expand and enhance meaningful community engagement in all phases of its grants.

Diseases like HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria disproportionately affect certain groups as a result of social and economic inequities that persist worldwide. These groups are often criminalized and experience human rights abuses, seriously compromising their access to health services. HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who use drugs, whereas TB can affect miners and healthcare workers. Communities that are disproportionately affected by diseases should be invited and supported to actively engage with Global Fund processes.

The report proposes a definition of meaningful community engagement, which involves four core principles:

• Effective and proportional representation in planning and decision-making bodies and processes;
• Adequate time and resource allocation to communities to understand systems, derive shared priorities, contribute to debate and discussion, and deliver programs;
• Ongoing independent oversight of grant negotiations and implementation; and
• Ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacities of community organizations and community leaders, so that they are able to take on increasing responsibilities and have greater impact.

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