
A new civil society-led global initiative has been launched – the Civil Society Action Team (CSAT). It aims to coordinate, broker, and advocate for technical support to civil society organizations implementing or seeking grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund).The Global Fund is one of the largest funding mechanisms supporting health projects in developing countries.As more Global Fund supported projects are implemented, some are experiencing bottlenecks and delays.Under-performing projects require technical support and capacity strengthening. However, civil society organizations have not been receiving sufficient support – which is why CSAT was launched.
CSAT Coordination
CSAT will operate through an International Coordinator and six Regional Coordinators, one in each of the following regions: Middle East and North Africa; East & Southern Africa; West & Central Africa; Asia-Pacific; Latin America & the Caribbean; and Eastern Europe & Central Asia. In addition, an Advisory Group of diverse civil society stakeholders has been providing guidance on the development of the CSAT initiative.
Host organizations of the global and regional coordinators have been selected through an open call for proposals and transparent selection process. The International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO),whose International Secretariat is based in Canada, was selected as a global host. The regional hosts havebeen chosen as follows:
The selection of the Regional Host Organization for Latin-America and the Caribbean will be finalized shortly.
CSAT Priorities