Regional Concept Notes Development in the Global Fund’s NFM: Observations from the 2nd window

[button url=”https://icaso.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/RCN-LAYOUT_Final-SPS_2017-Update.pdf” style=”grey” size=”small” target=”_self”]Download English[/button]

In this paper, ICASO and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance present the findings of six case studies of regional concept note (RCN) development experiences in Asia, West Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA).

In general, the regional application process improved in the second round compared to that of the first. More technical assistance was available, greater predictability was afforded to applicants, and more funding was mobilized to support RCN development. Applicants also benefited from lessons learned in the first round, and were generally more proficient at developing the applications. However, some challenges persist. Most notably, as the rationale and demand for regional programs expands, there remains only modest coordination and servicing of regional programs at the Global Fund Secretariat.