Global Fund COVID-19 Flexibilities

Grant flexibilities, announced on 4 March 2020, allow countries with current grants to: 1) use up to 5% of their current grant value if there are savings, and/or 2) reprogram up to 5% of the value of a grant to meet immediate COVID-19 response requirements. Repurposing equipment already purchased through a Global Fund grant is also an option to respond to COVID-19.

Countries are encouraged to analyze current grant savings and reprogramming before applying for C19RM.

Total available funding for flexibilities is up to US$500 million. As of 5 May 2020, funding has been approved for 73 countries and five regional grants for a total of US$109 million. This information is updated regularly through the Situation Reports on the Global Fund website. Eligibility: Countries and multi-country grants with current grants from the 2017-2019 allocation period.  

Application process: For the use of savings and reprogramming, the Principal Recipient issues a request to the Global Fund’s Fund Portfolio Manager. Preferably, it is endorsed by the CCM. The Global Fund responds within five working days.

The request should include a brief budget, describe the activities to be funded, how it will fit into the national response, and outline potential consequences to and mitigants for HIV, TB and malaria programming.  

Implementation: Global Fund financed activities must be implemented by an existing Principal Recipient (and/or existing Sub-Recipients). The main investment categories are (a) protecting Global Fund disease program against negative impact of COVID, (b) direct responses against COVID, and (c) address immediate gaps in health and community support systems. Guidance on eligible activities is available on the Global Fund’s website.

Funding Source: Countries can use savings or reprogram current grants, up to 10% of the grant value.

More information is available here: https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/covid-19/grants/

Global Fund COVID-19 Flexibilities and Response Mechanism