About the CFCS

The Stop TB Partnership's Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) targets grass-roots civil society organizations that seek to help shape policy at local and national levels by giving a voice to people living with TB and those involved in its prevention, treatment and care. Their activities are expected to result in enhanced resources for TB control and improved access to TB and other health services, in particular by the most vulnerable members of society. Applications with well defined activities aimed at empowering people at the grass roots level to contribute to policy making on all aspects of TB -- multidrug-resistant TB, TB/HIV, poverty and neglected populations, for example -- are welcome.

The pilot stage of the CFCS began on World TB Day 2007 with a duration of one year and a total budget of US$400,000. Proposals received were sent to an independent review committee made up of representatives from NGOs from developed and developing countries, the community affected by TB, multilateral and technical agencies. This committee evaluated the bids received by the Secretariat and selected the winners. The top ranked proposals were awarded grants until the limit of US$400,000 was reached. Grants ranged from US$5,000 to US$20,000.

The current round has a budget of US$600,000. The deadline for receipt of completed proposals, including all supporting documents, will be 22 August at 23:59 GMT

Recipients of a grant under the first round of the CFCS in 2007 may also apply. If they apply, they should submit a short note on what they achieved using the funds they received in the first round.