The German BACKUP Initiative’s aim is to enable government and civil society partners to use global financing more efficiently in order to implement measures for controlling HIV, tuberculosis and malaria more effectively and sustainably. The German BACKUP Initiative’s work centres on gender equality, integration into existing health systems, increased participation of civil society and on capacity development. In addition, five selected countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania) are comprehensively supported by BACKUP with the advocacy, planning, implementation and monitoring of gender-oriented HIV programmes. The German BACKUP Initiative takes an active role in the provision of technical support in strengthening health systems, based on WHO concepts. This part of BACKUP’s work is demand-driven, meaning that requests for technical assistance can be supported worldwide.

The BACKUP approach is characterised by flexibility, transparency and a partner-based focus. BACKUP advises and trains government and civil society partners – such as networks of people living with HIV or other key populations – in planning, implementing and monitoring activities, and in managing Global Fund money more efficiently and with full transparency.

The German BACKUP Initiative’s services include:

• Short and long-term seconded experts to provide process and technical consultancy to national, regional, international organisations and networks.
• Capacity development of government and civil society organizations.
• Subsidies for national government and non-government organizations to plan, implement and monitor technical support activities.

GIZ country offices make an important contribution towards ensuring the quality of such bilateral projects, acting as a local contact point for partners and undertaking quality assurance tasks.