Aidspan has been building its reputation for responsible reporting, commentary and analysis on all aspects of the Global Fund ecology since 2002. We have built an extensive global network of links. We try to always constructively comment on the extent to which the Global Fund’s Board, Secretariat and grant implementers are being effective and are living up to the Fund’s founding principles. We do this by publishing timely and relevant information and thoughtful, incisive analysis and; through facilitating critical debate; and promoting greater transparency, accountability, effectiveness and impact. One of our main channels to date has been the Global Fund Observer.
Aidspan is a non-profit organization based in Kenya whose mission is to reinforce the effectiveness of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by serving as an independent watchdog of the Fund and its grant implementers.
Timeliness
Aidspan aims to deliver the most pertinent content when it is most useful to its audiences through proactive research, prospective analysis, and prompt reporting.
Integrity
Aidspan promotes and holds itself to the highest standards of honesty, accuracy, truthfulness and ethical conduct.
Collaboration
Aidspan embraces cooperation in its work, valuing an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to research, analysis, and publication
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Accountability
Aidspan values stakeholder engagement which leads to ownership of the grant and improved results.
To be an effective watchdog highlighting, analyzing and in uencing the transparency and effectiveness of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the global and country level
A World without epidemics of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Aidspan conducts independent and critical analysis and investigation of Global Fund policies, strategies, processes and structures, funding mechanisms, transparency and data quality. We publish its analytical content through reports, case studies, peer-reviewed articles, and reviews. Aidspan also provides guidance to those applying for, implementing or overseeing Global Fund grants by publishing guides on diverse subjects. Aidspan relies on a small team of in-house researchers and external collaborators with expertise in health economics, epidemiology, governance, health systems strengthening, and Global Fund processes among others. We are developing collaborations with research institutions and other policy-focused organizations. Aidspan aims to provide independent analyses on the Global Fund policies that can be used by our stakeholders. They include the Global Fund (Secretariat, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Board, including the committees), Global Fund donors, implementers, civil society researchers, and media. All Aidspan publications are open access. We welcome suggestions for articles and research collaborations.
December
Aidspan launched Global Fund Observer (GFO), rapidly establishing it as the definitive source of news, analysis and commentary about the Global Fund.
March
Aidspan published its first “Guide to Applying to the Global Fund”. The guide has been updated annually since, reflecting the evolution of the Fund itself.
March
In the first two years of the existence of the Global Fund, Aidspan and two partners developed and refined the Equitable Contributions Framework : an equation that proposed the optimal size of the contribution from each donor country to the Fund based on its relative wealth. This approach was eventually adopted by a number of advocacy groups and by the Fund itself, in a modified form.
May
The Global Fund launched an in-depth external audit of Secretariat procedures after Aidspan wrote a confidential memo to the chair of the Global Fund Board raising certain concerns.
August
The Global Fund temporarily suspended all grants to Uganda after confirming allegations of corruption raised by a GFO reader and shared with the Fund by Aidspan.
January
Aidspan convened a round table on problems faced by Global Fund recipients in accessing technical assistance, attended by the heads of UNAIDS, PEPFAR, the WHO and World Bank AIDS programmes, and other global health leaders.
March
Uganda jailed the first two of four officials for Global Fund-related corruption that was first reported by Aidspan.
April
Aidspan provided testimony to a UK parliamentary committee in which it said that the Global Fund could not afford to have a second year like 2011, and might be permanently damaged if it did.
January
Aidspan developed its third strategic plan, covering the period 2016-2018.
Isaac Awuondo
Board Chair
Group Managing Director, Commercial Bank of Africa, Based in Nairobi, Kenya.
isaac.awuondo@cbagroup.com
Ida Hakinzika
Executive Director
Aidspan’s Executive Director
ida.hakizinka@aidspan.org
Professer Allan Whiteside
Board Member
Founder and Executive Director of the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
awhiteside@balsillieschool.ca
Djalo Mele
Board Member
President of the Country Coordinating Mechanism in Niger, Based in Niamey, Niger.
djalomele@yahoo.fr
Dr. Jesse Boardman Bump
Board Member
Executive director of the Takemi Program in International Health and lecturer on global health policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
awhiteside@balsillieschool.ca
Prof. Gavin George
Board Member
Prof Gavin George is a Programme Leader at the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD) and Associate Professor in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at the University of KwaZuluNatal, Durban, South Africa.
georgeg@ukzn.ac.za
