TB Constituency Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Meeting: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Country Coordinating Mechanism for Ethiopia (CCM/E) Secretariat hosted a pivotal CSO Constituency Meeting on December 22nd to strengthen the national response to Tuberculosis (TB). The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Aklilu G/Michael, CCM/E Member and Executive Director of Love in Action Ethiopia (LIAE), who emphasized that inclusive participation is the cornerstone of effective Global Fund grant implementation.

Strengthening Bidirectional Communication

Following the opening, Mr. Hayelom Assefa, the Engagement and Communication Focal Person for the CCM/E Secretariat, presented highlights of the CCM/E Community Engagement & Bidirectional Communication Plan. This session underscored that for a resilient health system, communication must flow consistently between: CCM/E Members and Alternate Members and TB CSO Constituency Members

This framework ensures that community-level challenges reach national decision-makers and that Global Fund policies are effectively translated into local action.

Panel Discussion: Bridging the Implementation Gap

Building on the communication plan, a panel featuring Mr. Kifle Mitiku (Program Director, LIAE), Mr. Kitaw T/Mariam (Executive Director, Organic Health), and Mr. Endalkachew Fekadu (Executive Director, VHS) addressed the realities of CSO engagement in the GC7 grant implementation. Mr. Kasahun Moges further highlighted the critical role of pre- and post-CCM/E constituency meetings, noting that engagement has significantly improved due to Amharic language translation service, which has removed participation barriers for CSO representatives.

The panelists noted that the CCM/E provides TB constituencies with the privilege of networking with government and partner colleagues, as well as the opportunity to participate in decision-making with high-level policymakers. They commended the CCM/E for being an open, transparent, and equal participation platform. However, they identified certain gaps among TB CSO representatives, such as low participation in discussions and limited engagement with their respective constituencies. To address this, they recommended increasing better preparation ahead of regular CCM/E meetings to ensure the TB constituency is not just present, but influential.

Defining the Scope of Oversight:- Mr. Abayneh Admas, Oversight and Compliance Officer at the CCM/E Secretariat, led a session defining the scope of CCM/E Oversight. He clarified that oversight involves high-level monitoring of financial performance (“where is the money?”), procurement, and service quality. This includes Site visits and data reviews, Identifying bottlenecks through discussions with Principal Recipient (PR) and Sub-Recipient (SR) representatives. He said that, CSOs are expected to identify community bottlenecks and needs on the ground, providing real-time feedback on service delivery to ensure grant resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

Ethics, PSEAH, and the “Power Walk”:- Mrs. Betselot Yirsaw, Ethics Officer at the CCM/E Secretariat, conducted an essential session on Ethics, Codes of Conduct (CoC), Conflict of Interest (CoI), and PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment). To deepen understanding, participants engaged in a “Power Walk” exercise. This practical simulation allowed attendees to experience how different social barriers affect access to care, highlighting the urgent need for community protection and ethical safeguards in every TB initiative.

New Leadership and Representation: The meeting concluded with the selection of dedicated leaders to represent the TB constituency:

• CCM/E Member: Mr. Kasahun Moges
• Alternate Member: Mr. Alemu Menlebeleh
• CSO Engagement Focal Person: Mr. Kifle Mitiku

In his closing remarks, Mr. Abayneh Admas stated: “By integrating ethics, strengthening our oversight, and ensuring clear communication with constituencies, we are building a TB response that is truly community-led.”