OSISA, GFATM Proposal Development and Advocacy

Seminar

SOUTH ASIA & INDIA EXPERIENCES

ADITYA BONDYOPADHYAYProgram Director

National MSM & HIV Policy Advocacy and Human Rights Task Force, India

Background

• Regional Proposal for S-Asia been attempted since R-5 GFATM

• Its been a learning process throughout – i.e. from zero knowledge and confusion about GFATM, CCM and other such things to a position of reasonable understanding and some bit of effective Advocacy.

• Also led to other positive developments like the inclusion of MSM component in India’s national proposal

Background Contd..

• R-5 was a no go, R-6 was a rejection, R-7 was for re-submission, R-8 was deferred, and R-9 the proposal is ready for submission.

• India’s country proposal was mentioned because Regional proposals need to ensure non-duplication of in-country efforts.

• Also the advocacy that went into India’s proposal is a good experience that can be used also in a regional proposal development.

Things to remember

• Always engage with the various CCMs, even if they do not like you. Record every communication/interaction.

• Strategically this is for 2 reasons: To increase acceptability of the proposal in absence of CCM Endorsement; and for posible inclusion of service delivery components in a regional proposal.

Things to remember

• GFATM now has some good rules that can (should?) be used for our advantage:– Non-CCM Proposal– Non-inclusion by CCM is country proposals– No response CCM– Inclusion of SM representative in CCM (???)

• The above can and should become tools of advocacy not only with CCM but also with GFATM.

Things that worked

• UNITED FRONT: Advance negotiations to manage dissention and confusion amongst groups participation in the regional bid (Set out clear roles, responsibilities, rewards)

• Give technicality priority over politics: especially in selection of PRs and SRs.

• Steel yourself: Disappointments happen, but every action opens new doors.

Bumps along the way

• CCM (non-responsive, mired in governmental intrigue, homophobia)

• TRPs – Getting better but not there yet – Strength– Understanding– Empathy

• Internal politics (must must must be managed)

Finally• Don’t give up- be in the process for the

long haul• Learn and improve along the way• Use the flaws in the CCMs for your own

advantage• Don’t shy away from being critical – of

your own self as well as of the ‘powers that be’

• Someone benefits from your actions always.