Centering Community Voices: How PAP Links Inadequately Served Populations to RCF Funding
Read interview with McLean Kabwe, member of the RCF’s Program Advisory Panel, about the structure, key principles and values lying at the heart of PAP’s work.
What is the Program Advisory Panel?
In a nutshell, the Program Advisory Panel (PAP) provides funding advice to the Robert Carr Fund whenever there’s a call for grant applications. We review applications and submit funding advice to the International Steering Committee (ISC) for final decision-making. PAP members make recommendations based on our discussions, in-depth examination of the grant applications, and alignment with the RCF’s Theory of Change, Strategy, and core values, as well as the criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals.
Who are the members of the PAP?
PAP members come from civil society organizations and bring diverse experience from various regions and countries. Each member has worked in HIV-related programs and includes executive directors, thematic experts, and specialists with backgrounds in programming, finance, M&E, and general program management. Additionally, some PAP members represent inadequately served populations (ISPs).
How does the PAP relate to the ISC?
Our decision-making process is entirely independent of the International Steering Committee (ISC). We have the freedom to deliberate on our findings without any influence from the ISC. Once our decisions are finalized, we submit our recommendations to the ISC for consideration.
Why is the PAP important?
The PAP is crucial because it acts like the heart of the Fund, connecting the RCF to external expertise and voices of the inadequately served populations. The PAP functions as the mechanism that brings ISP perspectives directly into the funding process, linking their needs and voices to the projects and programs supported by the Fund.
In your view, what makes the RCF unique?
The Robert Carr Fund is highly dynamic. We review each funding cycle, assessing what worked and what didn’t to inform the next cycle and improve our impact. As a result, each cycle—whether it’s previous funding cycles 2019-2021, 2022-2024, or the new cycle of 2025-2027 —has been shaped by these reviews to focus more effectively on critical areas.
Why is core funding important for ISP decision-making?
The Robert Carr Fund offers flexible core funding, which helps build capacity among community-led networks in HIV response. This funding supports the development of systems, enhances organizational effectiveness and compliance. Over time, it enables these networks to strengthen their capacity and stand independently, while still benefiting from consortium membership. Core funding is key to building resilient and influential community-led networks.