Global Fund launches first photo contest targeting implementing partners

Author:

Adèle Sulcas

Article Type:

Article Number: 9

ABSTRACT The Global Fund has launched its first photo contest for people involved in the implementation of a Global Fund-supported program anywhere in the world, to broaden and localize its network of photographers, and reduce costs.

The Global Fund has launched a global photo contest inviting partners and implementers to submit   showing how the work they are involved in saves lives. The contest forms part of an ongoing effort both to broaden and localize the Fund’s network of photographers, and to reduce costs.

Global Fund Head of Communications Seth Faison told Aidspan that by encouraging contributions from people who are directly involved in the implementation of Global Fund-supported grants or programs, the Fund is embracing – in its photography, too – the core principle of country ownership. “Local people know local conditions better,” Faison said. “They can capture images and perspectives that outsiders can’t always get.”

A life saved: Sihlelelwe Lombe, with his father Anton, is HIV-free thanks to Global Fund-supported preventative treatment received by his mother, Gabsile, at Baylor Clinic in Mbabane, Swaziland. This is the image used on the Global Fund’s web page for the photo contest. (Photo: John Rae)   

The Fund’s Communications team has been developing networks of local photographers around the world for several years, Faison said, and the new contest “is a way to bring people in,” by encouraging amateur photographers to showcase their best work. “It also is more cost effective,” Faison said, referring to reducing the need to pay for photographers’ long-distance travel costs, “and we need to be sending as many dollars as we can towards [fighting] the diseases.”

“If we can use these photos in our work, we will. If there’s some great, striking photography that is worthy of winning the prizes that doesn’t lend itself to a particular [communications] tool, that’s fine, too. Sometimes it’s just capturing the moment.”

The contest, announced on 12 June 2018, invites participants 18 years or older to contribute photographs that show how the work they are doing is having an impact, with prizes to be awarded in two categories: “Impact against HIV, tuberculosis, or malaria”, and “Building better systems for health”. For each category, a cash prize will be awarded: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.

The Global Fund Communications team will judge the competition in October, after the closing date of 30 September 2018.

The photo contest application materials are available in a downloadable package on the Global Fund website, including a guide to participation, the entry form, “guidelines and tips” rules, and a release form to obtain subjects’ permission for their image to be published.

The Global Fund Partnership Photo Contest is open for applications until 30 September 2018. More information can be found on the Global Fund website at https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/photo-contest/.