Welcome to the new GFF-CSO Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition of the Advancing Health for All newsletter. Here you will find the voices, perspectives, achievements and impacts of civil society and youth-led organizations as they further sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (SRMNCAH+N) in support of Global Financing Facility (GFF) commitments across 36 GFF partner countries.
Please click here to sign up to our newsletter and click on the pictures and links below to learn more about the progress and momentum to date and help us spread the word so we can inspire collective, inclusive action for impact.
Impact Stories
Leveraging Community-Led Monitoring to Improve Youth SRH Services in Uganda
The Naguru Youth Health Network (NYHN) implements the i-Report tool in Uganda to empower youth advocates in demanding health care rights and ensuring services are delivered in a respectful and dignified manner in an effort to drive change at health centers. Read more here.
GFF-CSO Coalition Launches in Chad for SRMNCAH+N Progress
Chad has among the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. To reduce these rates, inform GFF’s investment in Chad, and drive community demand for maternal health care services, Cellule de Liaison et d’Information des Associations Féminines (CELIAF) launched Chad’s GFF-CSO coalition in December 2022. Read more here.
Driving Change in Senegal through Youth-Led Accountability
In Senegal, the youth-led Alliance Nationale des Jeunes pour la Sante de la Reproduction (ANJ-SR/PF) established a digital tool that enables youth, health workers and community members to work together and ensure quality health services reach those most in need. Read more here.
Partner Spotlight
CEGSS – Guatemala
Centro de Estudios para la Equidad y Gobernanza en los Sistemas de Salud (CEGSS) is on a mission to eliminate all inequities in health, including social exclusion and its determinants. An influential and inclusive civil society organization and GFF grant partner, CEGGS drives advocacy and accountability to improve health for communities across Guatemala. Website
Graduates of the Community Health Defenders’ first hybrid training course from the Sololá province display their certificates of completion at an outdoor graduation ceremony.
SERAC – Bangladesh
SERAC is a youth-led and youth-focused advocacy and development organization that is a dominant voice for the health rights of young people. Driving change through accountability, advocacy and multi-sectoral partnerships, SERAC serves on the Civil Society Coordinating Group’s Steering Committee (CSCG-SC) in support of the GFF. Website
SERAC organized “human chains” in each of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. These events brought together 500 adolescents and youth who sent a clear message to policymakers about the need for extended hours at Adolescent Friendly Health Centers.
What is the CSCG?
The Global Civil Society Coordinating Group for the GFF (CSCG) is a group of 500+ advocates and professionals dedicated to advancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (SRMNCAH-N) in GFF countries and worldwide. Its members include representatives from civil society, youth organizations, and other stakeholders committed to ensuring that all women, children, and adolescents have access to the healthcare and nutrition they need to thrive.
Please visit the CSCG webpage to learn more about the CSCG, including its leadership and members.
Interested in Joining the CSCG?
Fill out our Registration and Contact Update form
What is the NGO Host?
The NGO Host is a support function of civil society and youth-led organizations to advance SRMNCAH-N priorities. The NGO Host is housed at PAI, a 57-year civil society organization championing SRHR. The NGO Host includes a small grants mechanism to enable CSO and YLO-led advocacy in GFF partner countries, and technical and strategic support to maximize shared learning opportunities and impact that is defined and driven by community leaders. Contact ngohost@pai.org to learn more.
CSCG News
The Civil Society Coordinating Group’s Steering Committee (CSCG-SC) and the NGO Host congratulate the election of members to leadership roles:
* Tasnia Ahmed, CSO Representative, South Asia
* Christina Chilimba, Co-Chair, Capacity Building and Country Engagement Working Group
* Jackie Katana, Civil Society Alternate IG Representative
* Leonora Mbithi, Co-Chair, Health Financing Working Group
* Oyeyemi Pitan , Civil Society Alternate IG Representative
* Shafia Rasid, Co-Chair, Capacity Building and Country Engagement Working Group
The CSCG Coordination Unit extends its gratitude to all the candidates for their commitment to advancing civil society and youth constituencies and looks forward to announcing new leadership opportunities soon, as the CSCG will be inviting candidates for CSO and YLO Regional Representative positions within its Steering Committee (Spring 2023). Recruitment for these positions will be open to all interested and eligible CSOs and YLOs, particularly those committed to advancing constructive advocacy and collaborative accountability for health and nutrition.
As a collective platform for civil society and youth engagement for the GFF, the CSCG relies on the active participation and collaboration of all its members to advance our shared goals. We encourage all partners to engage with the new Steering Committee members and work together to ensure that the CSCG continues to play a vital role in advancing sustainable and equitable health and nutrition global financing. Please visit the CSCG webpage to consult the full list of CSCG Steering Committee Members.
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, the Global Civil Society Coordinating Group for the GFF (CSCG) and partner organizations held a third webinar specifically focused on introducing PATH’s Maternal, Newborn, Child Health & Nutrition Asset Tracker.
The webinar aimed to gather civil society and youth stakeholders from all regions engaging in GFF processes at global and country level, to learn more about PATH’s MNCH-N Asset Tracker, which can help advocates create evidence-based strategies by providing information on coverage gaps and barriers for scale-up of 14 interventions or “assets” across 81 countries. Watch here.
Upcoming Events
- Join our “CSCG 101” webinar on Tuesday April 25, 2023
Join us on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, for an introductory webinar on the functions of the Global Civil Society Coordinating Group for the GFF (CSCG) and the GFF Civil Society and Youth Engagement Framework. Open to all existing and prospective CSCG members and partners. Please Register here. - CSCG leaders at the 2023 World Bank/IMF Spring meetings
Follow our upcoming panel session on Community-Led Monitoring and other activities this week at the Civil Society Policy Forum of the 2023 World Bank / IMF Spring meetings, in Washington DC and online. More information on CSCG engagement at the CSPF and how to join our events and efforts is available here.