EECA

ABSTRACT The Eurasian Harm Reduction Network is implementing a $6 million regional programme which seeks to facilitate effective regional advocacy for harm reduction among injection drug users across five countries in EECA.

RÉSUMÉ Une correction et des informations supplémentaires concernant l'un des programmes multi-pays du Fonds mondial, le Programme multi-pays pour l'Europe de l'Est et l'Asie centrale.

ABSTRACT A correction and additional information concerning one of the Global Fund’s multicountry programs, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Multi-Country Program.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund Board will discuss the Sustainability, Transition and Co-Financing policy next week at its 42nd Board meeting. Planning transition from Global Fund support, as well as transition implementation, and outcomes, deserves the attention of the Board. The fact that countries that had transitioned away from Global Fund grants witness a spike in HIV infections and that some of those countries apply anew for support is a worrisome trend.

ABSTRACT Two multicountry Global Fund grants in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, for TB and HIV, were approved in December 2018 by the Global Fund Board, for a total of $18 million. Implementation began on 1 January 2019, but there is lingering concern among applicants regarding the effectiveness of the competitive approach prescribed by the Global Fund for the application process. A member of one of the applicant organizations, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association, reports on some applicants' concerns.

ABSTRACT On 13-14 November, a consultation took place in Minsk, Belarus on the terms of reference for next round of multi-country HIV projects for Eastern Europe and Central Asia financed by the Global Fund. As part of catalytic funding for 2017-2019, $13 million has been set aside to promote the sustainability of HIV services for key populations in the EECA region. The Secretariat is expected to issue a request for proposals in mid-December.

ABSTRACT The goal of the Georgia Transition Plan is to ensure a smooth transitioning to full domestic funding of its HIV and TB programs by 2022 without compromising services. However, the plan does not specify which services the government is taking over or when.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund’s policies on the composition of CCMs have had a big impact in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The policies have resulted in increased participation of LGBT organizations on CCMs, and greater participation of LGBT representatives in the decisions of the CCMs and even of the governments in these countries, including decisions concerning prevention services, according to a new publication from the Eurasian Coalition on Male Health. ECOM also credits these policies with improving the quality of national HIV programs and with helping to combat homophobia.

ABSTRACT The Kyrgyzstan country coordinating mechanism has submitted a program continuation funding request to the Global Fund. There is little information in the request on the program that the CCM is proposing, and almost no information on what changes will be made to the program to reflect the fact that Kyrgyzstan’s allocation has been significantly reduced compared to 2014-2016.

ABSTRACT A new database on antiretrovirals in use in 15 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia will be used by civil society organizations doing treatment advocacy. It will also help countries transitioning away from Global Fund support.