Robert Carr Fund

The Robert Carr Fund provides multi-year, flexible core funding to networks serving inadequately served populations (ISPs) worldwide. The 2023 Annual Report highlights how this support is essential, enabling networks to sustain expert staff, build organizational capacity, and advocate effectively. Our data shows that 87% of networks rely on RCF funding primarily to cover staff salaries, which are critical for delivering advocacy and programmatic work. Core funding complements major HIV donors like the The Global Fund by filling gaps and amplifying impact for ISP-led networks. CARAM Asia, the only community-led network advocating for migrant health rights across Southeast Asia in RCF’s grantee cohort, is an example of such impact. Funded by Robert Carr Fund, CARAM Asia conducted 11 high-level meetings in Pakistan, addressing the lack of government budget allocation for #HIV and #SRHR needs of migrants. Through their advocacy, migrant health vulnerabilities have gained traction in national discussions, and the draft National AIDS strategy now includes a focus on migrant health, pending Ministry of Health approval. Read more about the work of our grantees in the RCF Annual Report 2023 https://bit.ly/3ZuGzVy #CommunitiesFirst #RCFgrantees

Human rights and climate change? In 2023, United Caribbean Trans Network (UCTRANS), supported by Robert Carr Fund, launched first of its kind research project in the Caribbean, linking Climate Change to Gender Identity recognition. Climate Change study showed 59% had disruption of hormone care, a further 32% a disruption in ARV’s and related treatment – after natural disasters. Activists from across the Caribbean region seek to understand gaps within existing national, regional and global climate change frameworks to ensure that transgender and gender diverse people were included into the decision-making process and are part of the solution. The importance of explicitly addressing linkages between national and international climate change policy-making and protecting rights of trans communities is essential. It is key for both advancing the fulfilment of trans human rights and gender equality, and effectively addressing the challenges that climate change poses. Read more about the work of our grantees in the RCF Annual Report 2023 https://bit.ly/3ZuGzVy #CommunitiesFirst #RCFgrantees

Today, we’re joining 40 other organisations to urge the European Commission to develop a bold proposal for external action in the next MFF, earmarking at least €200 billion for development aid. Some might argue that, given the current fiscal context, this target is unrealistic. But is it? We know that preventive investments in resilience, preparedness, sustainability, human rights, and gender equality are more cost-effective than reactive measures. We also know that our societies, ecosystems, and economies are interconnected - and so are the solutions. Against that backdrop, global investments are not only a moral goal - they are a strategic investment for long-term prosperity. See our policy paper attached. Jozef Sikela Barry Andrews MEP Ursula von der Leyen Kaja Kallas Aidsfonds The ONE Campaign Global Citizen Pandemic Action Network Global Health Advocates Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Coordination SUD Search for Common Ground Oxfam EU office Equipop WWF European Policy Office Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law Global Fund Advocates Network Eurodad - the European Network on Debt and Development Save the Children International Caritas Europa Cordaid AIDS-Fondet Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion CONCORD Sweden Plan International The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation ActionAid World Vision CNCD-11.11.11 AMREF Mercy Corps Hivos Protection International WeWorld Onlus

The Program Advisory Panel (PAP) is an integral part of the Robert Carr Fund governance structure, together with the International Steering Committee (ISC). Members of PAP and ISC members work together to foster engagement and understanding between donors and grantees, particularly around the complexities of community needs. Recently PAP members got together to discuss grant applications and as a result provided funding advice to the ISC about the next funding cycle 2025-2027. Read interview with Mildred Mushunje, co-chair of the RCF's Program Advisory Panel here: https://lnkd.in/e6m9afDp #CommunitiesFirst #RFP2024

In 2023 Robert Carr Fund began to monitor intersectional thematic focuses across the work of our grantees. Out of 59 networks, which carried out activities aimed at improving the human rights of inadequately served populations (ISPs), 32% of RCF grantees reported their advocacy efforts were focused on HIV criminalization including of drug use or sex work, 19% - on SRHR in the context of HIV, 19% - on Gender Transformative Approaches* including focus on girls and women, trans and genderdiverse people, and gay, bi- and MSM, 15% - on Youth health, rights and leadership, 2% - addressed the impact of climate change on communities affected by HIV. *"A Gender Transformative Approach is one that aims to address the root causes of gender inequality. We question existing power structures and amplify community-led actions that are creating new realities where gender justice is at heart of all policies and practices." - states Srushti Mahamuni, RCF Senior Gender Advisor. Read more about the work of our grantees in the RCF Annual Report 2023: https://bit.ly/3ZuGzVy #SAGE #CommunitiesFirst

The Robert Carr Fund and The Global Fund work together to amplify impact in global health. 65% of RCF-funded networks engage with the GF, and over 70% of these networks use RCF core funding to support essential staff salaries. This core funding is vital for building capacity, strengthening systems, and ensuring sustained operations, enabling networks to engage effectively with the GF and other donors. RCF focuses on supporting regional and global networks through flexible core funding, while the GF funds country-specific grant activities and strategic initiatives such as the Community Engagement Strategic Initiative and Community Led Monitoring Strategic Initiative. With 41% of RCF-funded networks also receiving GF funding, RCF ensures alignment through rigorous monitoring, collaboration, and engagement with GF representatives. Read more about complementarity with the Global Fund in RCF Annual Report 2023: https://bit.ly/3ZuGzVy #CommunitiesFirst

The last 3 days have been busy for Robert Carr Fund! Our Program Advisory Panel (PAP) discussed grant applications and developed the funding advice to the RCF International Steering Committee (ISC). The final decision on 2025-2027 funding cycle will be announced in December 2024! Timeline of the current Request for Proposal process can be found here: https://bit.ly/4b42aao Curious to know how RCF's PAP and ISC works? Visit our web-site: https://bit.ly/3BXswy0 #RCFfamily #CommunitiesFirst

We're thrilled to share two new research articles published under our collaborative project on Digital Health and Rights with #KELINkenya, Privacy International, Restless Development, STOPAIDS: Uniting UK Voices on the Global Response,& University of the Andes supported by Fondation Botnar. The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)’s Digital Health & Rights consultant Nomtika Mjwana co-authored a paper on "Brave Global Spaces: Researching Digital Health & Human Rights through Transnational Participatory Action Research" w/ #Javier Guerrero-C, Sebastian Leon-Giraldo & Meg Davis. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3YXChEv

Five community-led networks from #EECA region, supported by the Robert Carr Fund, united in the Rise & Decriminalize Movement to protect rights of inadequately served populations. The premise behind the Movement is intersectionality – all underserved populations are interconnected, one person can belong to several vulnerable groups at a time. This provides a unique opportunity to build the decriminalization advocacy for one group on the results of the other group, support each other in campaigns. Read more about the initiative here: https://bit.ly/40gtNKy #CommunitiesFirst

Providing long-term, core, and flexible funding to Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) enables them to gather evidence for advocacy on access to sexual and reproductive health rights (#SRHR) for sex workers in all their diversity. In 2023 through a consortium-wide project, supported by Robert Carr Fund, NSWP collected data across 27 countries in four regions, focusing on sex workers' access to social protection and SRHR. This data serves as a powerful tool for communities, enabling them to strengthen advocacy efforts that ensure sex workers’ rights to social protection and healthcare are upheld. Each country developed national reports, which were synthesized into regional reports, culminating in a global report that highlights key findings and paves the way for future advocacy strategies and research. NSWP’s global report is available here: https://bit.ly/3YcJQ9w More highlights from our grantees can be found in Robert Carr Fund's Annual Report 2023 here: https://bit.ly/3ZuGzVy #CommunitiesFirst #SRHR