Collaborating towards success: World Vision International Sierra Leone wins the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) Award
In December 2023, World Vision received the announcement that it had been selected as Principal Recipient (PR) 2 for the Global Fund Grant Cycle (GC) 7 programme, which will run from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027. The entire WVI partnership received this news with joy and gratitude.This opportunity to serve in the fight against malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and to promote resilient and sustainable health systems was received with a sense of responsibility and reaffirmed what the World Vision team has been saying for years - that we are committed to serving those who need our help the most.
In July 2024, this grant formally began after being officially launched by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, on June 14th, 2024. The journey to this point started in 2021 when World Vision International Sierra Leone (WVISL) expressed interest in working with the Global Fund as a PR implementer for the people of Sierra Leone. WVISL partnered with WVUS, and also worked closely with the West African Regional Office (WARO) to make this a reality. As a primary implementer of health initiatives in Sierra Leone, World Vision was able to demonstrate its understanding of the country's complex health system and the challenges of tackling the three diseases.
The journey to GC7 was challenging for World Vision, despite the organisation's extensive experience in implementing health programmes in the country. The World Vision team submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) along with 8 other applicants and also prepared for a presentation. World Vision was then selected as one of the top three applicants. Subsequently, World Vision was informed that it would undergo a Local Fund Agent (LFA) capacity assessment in areas such as Finance and Fiduciary, Internal Controls, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Governance, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), as well as technical program experience in HIV, TB, and Malaria.
This assessment examined every aspect of the organisation and involved collaboration at all levels of the WVI partnership. The coordination and management of these collaborations was facilitated by WVISL's Resource Development and Management Department. The assessment demonstrated World Vision's exceptional ability to manage valuable resources and assets on behalf of the Global Fund and the Government of Sierra Leone.The process involved the Global Centre, the West Africa Regional Office, WVUS and several departments within the Sierra Leone National Office. It also involved other World Vision offices currently implementing the Global Fund in their countries. Following the in-depth assessment, WVISL was informed that they would be the next PR2 for the country. Throughout the nine-month process from EoI to capacity assessment, the World Vision team prayed to God for a positive outcome during morning devotions. The team also declared a day of prayer and fasting for this grant. Before the Christmas break in 2023, the prayers were answered and the World Vision team gives God the glory.
The whole process and the different stages of developing this grant have strengthened the teams and brought them closer together. They understand that the work they do is bigger than any one individual, and their capacity is strengthened by their collective experience and capacity across departments, levels, units and offices. Led by WVISL's National Director, Sagane Thiaw, the teams were reminded that they are more effective when everyone works together. WVISL is committed to using this opportunity to improve health outcomes and strengthen the resilience of the communities we serve by ensuring that Key Affected Populations (KPs) have access to optimal services.World Vision looks forward to working with stakeholders for the successful implementation of the GC7 programme and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health as PR1.
World Vision lnternational has been awarded over US$26 million as PR2 from the Global Fund to implement Grant Cycle 7, which will run from July 2024 to June 2027. The programme will operate in all 16 districts of Sierra Leone and will also be responsible for the 'last mile' distribution of Global Fund health commodities.
