Funding
As of April 2014, 24 alliances are being funded either through the SUN multi-partner trust fund (MPTF) or through bi-lateral donors (DFID, Irish Aid)[1]. In order to obtain funding it is usually necessary to have clear processes and structures in place to demonstrate working practices. This means having clear financial accountability. Financial reporting should not only be to the donor agency but also shared with communities and members of the civil society alliance. It will also be very important to discuss with all CSA stakeholders the best way in which funding can be managed and it will be vital to consider conflicts of interest with regard to how funds are disbursed. When seeking additional funding streams open discussion on which agency will channel funds and the rationale for selecting them will be important to articulate to all members. The sustainability of the alliance will be dependent on continued funding being obtained and so consideration of the alliance beyond initial catalytic funding must be considered.
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Case study: Uganda – Introducing membership fees
The Uganda Civil Society Coalition on Scaling Up Nutrition UCCO-SUN coalition members have begun to tackle financial sustainability by proposing mandatory annual membership fees. In addition to this, independent registration of the coalition, widening of the “active” membership base and ensuring that all members to the CSA are active contributors to CSA activities was seen as critical to long-term sustainability. Particularly when combined with ways of working that encourage long-term partnership building such as open communication, accountability and timely conflict resolution.
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Extract from the 2013 Annual Report of the SUN Movement Multi-Partner Trust Fund http://scalingupnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014.29.05_SUN_Movement_MPTF_2013_Annual_Progress_Report.pdf
Early lessons - The SUN Movement MPTF Window II funding is adding value to multi-stakeholder efforts to scale-up nutrition by:
- Helping CSAs to invest in strong governance structures that enhance civil society’s harmonious and effective contribution to national efforts to scale-up nutrition
- Providing the resources for dedicated personnel to coordinate civil society’s efforts and accelerate progress
- Inspiring a multi-stakeholder approach to raising awareness and influencing policy, legal and budgetary frameworks
- Encouraging strong linkages between CSA advocacy and alignment behind government priorities, plans and processes
- Supporting CSA participation in mapping exercises that allow civil society to better align its contributions behind national priorities and plans to scale-up nutrition
- Reinforcing the importance of working across all political parties as well as with parliamentarians. - Building a strong yet diverse evidence base to support the SUN Movement MPTF Window II theory of change in relation to civil society’s contribution to transforming nutrition
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[1] More information on the SUN movement MPTF can be found at http://scalingupnutrition.org/resources-archive/sun-mptf