Botswana's Fund Strategy for Civil Society-Led HIV Services

The strategy is based on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development's (MFED) revised Policy Guidelines for Financial Support to NGOs, published in 2017. This policy guidelines provide a foundation for the strategy, which has been developed in collaboration with the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) and other stakeholders. The strategy focuses on setting priority programmatic areas with targets and timelines aligned to the Botswana National HIV Strategic Framework. It also emphasizes the importance of considering high-priority districts and priority target populations in NAHPA's funding to CSOs. The strategy encourages strategic alliances with other ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports, and Culture, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender. Key stakeholders, including development partners and CSOs, will be engaged in the implementation of this strategy. The main objective of the strategy is to provide guidance on how NAHPA and the Ministry of Health and Wellness should engage with and fund CSOs through grants, subventions, and/or contracts. The strategy also calls for the optimization of existing structures within government, such as District Health Management Teams and District Multisectoral AIDS Committees, as well as the establishment of new ones, including a National Planning Council, Fund Management Unit, and Third-Party Fund Administrator. The implementation plan includes a detailed budget, staffing requirements, and risk mitigation measures. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder management, and communication. Capacity building is also a key component of the strategy, which aims to enhance the capacity of CSOs to deliver quality goods and services to communities on behalf of the government. The strategy is aligned with the Botswana National HIV Strategic Framework and mirrors the policy guidelines provided by MFED. It is expected to contribute to the achievement of the country's HIV and AIDS goals and objectives. The strategy is also expected to promote a multisectorial approach to the response, which involves collaboration between government, CSOs, and development partners. The strategy has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, District AIDS Coordinators, District Health Management Teams, and other government entities. The technical working group participants, including representatives from the Botswana Network of AIDS Service Organizations, the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law, and HIV/AIDS, Peace Corps, and USAID, have provided guidance throughout the strategy development process. The strategy is expected to be implemented over a period of time, with a detailed implementation plan and timeline. The strategy will be monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure its effectiveness and impact. The strategy is also expected to be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in the HIV and AIDS landscape and the needs of the country.