More than 80 representatives from 33 of the 36 Global Financing Facility (GFF) countries gathered in Cote d’Ivoire for the fifth edition of the GFF Civil Society annual workshop. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the GFF IG meeting, aimed to build the capacity of civil society organizations working on the GFF, to engage in its Investment Case development and effectively monitor implementation of GFF-funded projects. The meeting’s specific objectives were to:

• Improve the capacity of civil society focal points in GFF countries to engage in GFF processes, by reflecting on experiences, lessons learned, and best practices to-date.
• Identify and build capacity on proven approaches to monitoring GFF Trust funds and World Bank loans/credits; government funds for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition and private sector funding.
• Support monitoring and advocacy efforts around the aligned development partner funding in support of GFF Investment Cases.
• Align around common priorities for CS advocacy at global and national levels, as well as priorities for the CSCG for the coming year.

While the meeting shared information on the GFF process; civil society engagement; SRMNCAH planning, financing and monitoring and budget advocacy, specific recommendations emerged from civil society organizations (CSO) to the GFF.

The recommendations from CSOs included:

That a percentage allocation of trust fund resources be issued at the global level to enable accountability (3-5% to be refined based on the evidence); and a percentage allocation at the national level set aside to enable CS to fulfil additional functions around advocacy and monitoring – 30% allocation for youth.

The GFF secretariat and IG to promote CS engagement through accountability mechanisms such as conditionality for grants, and KPI for liaison officers. CS also demanded improved access to information – in particular expenditure data – on the GFF website.

A learning agenda for civil society that addresses capacity building needs (including around planning, financing, monitoring, budget advocacy, understanding the GFF and World Bank processes etc.) of CS at the national and subnational levels – supported by the GFF secretariat and CS partners.

Better civil society and youth representation on country and global platforms including in French and English speakers.

Improved coordination and communication from global and regional civil society partners.