PNC+: Institutional Strength, Stability, and Sustainability: the Importance of Core Funding to the Positive Networks Consortium
The Positive Networks Consortium (PNC+) was established in June 2013, to link global and regional PLHIV Network, in order to improve the quality of life of PLHIV in each region. PNC+ is comprised of four networks: the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), The Asia-Pacific Network Of People Living With HIV (APN+), the Caribbean Network Of People Living With HIV (CRN+) and the East Europe and Central Asia Union of People Living With HIV (ECUO). PNC+ is dedicated to improving health outcomes and access to treatment for all PLHIV.
The consortium has received RCNF funding since 2013. The most recent 2016-2018 grant was primarily dedicated to core funding and allowed the regional networks to increase institutional capacity, strengthen internal systems, and improve organizational finances. CRN+ has shown impressive growth and stabilization over the course of the grant cycle. RCF grant funds allowed CRN+ to strengthen internal stability to the point that they were able to host Regional Board Elections and Annual General Meetings in 2018. Representatives from all regional constituencies were in attendance, and a representative board was elected. The board consists of ten members representing ten Caribbean counties, and is comprised of both PLHIV and non PLHIV. CRN+ is now able to democratically govern through its representative leadership.
RCF funds also allowed CRN+ to hire a full time Senior Project Manager in 2017, who is currently acting as the interim Executive Director. The Manager has led a series of organizational restructurings and improvements to CRN+’s financial management systems, contributing to the network’s long-term sustainability. The stability provided to CRN+ by this permanent staff member has increased institutional capacity, efficiency, and productivity.
With support from RCNF and GNP+, CRN+ was able to conduct HIV and non-communicable disease scans across 13 Caribbean countries in 2016-2017. These scans assessed regional response to HIV and NCDs, as well as the financial resources available in each country. The scans were able to identify priority issues in HIV and NCD treatment for each region, and identify key local institutions able to influence change. CRN+ was able to publish an abstract of the results, and had the opportunity to present at the International AIDS Conference 2018. This project was not only impactful to the Caribbean nations it surveyed, but also for the institutional strength of CRN+. Due to funding constraints and internal disorganization, this project was one of the first substantial advances CRN+ was able to produce in years, helping to improve their validity and reputation.
Within the PNC+ consortia, the internal capacity and ability to produce consistent work varies by network. CRN+ was one such network that was struggling due to regional instability and a weak organizational structure. However with the support of RCF and GNP+, CRN+ was able to produce an impactful series of studies, hire a senior staff member, and restructure its internal operations. These capacity building measures culminated in CRN+’s ability to host an election and AGM in 2018, a testament to its improved capacity and sustainability. These efforts would not have been possible without support from RCF and the PNC+ consortium. CRN+ is now in a position to operate more independently in the future and will be able to better withstand organizational challenges.