In the wake of recent global health crises, it has become evident that increasing domestic funding for epidemic preparedness is essential for countries to adequately respond to epidemics and pandemics. The Lady of Peace Community Foundation (LOPECO), proudly representing South Africa as a civil society organization (CSO), is at the forefront of this critical mission.
Since 2018, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator’s (GHAI) Prevent Epidemics program has worked tirelessly to foster public demand and political will for enhanced and sustained domestic resources dedicated to epidemic preparedness. GHAI’s country-led advocacy approach unites policy leaders, CSOs, and media to prioritize epidemic preparedness as a crucial national agenda item requiring reliable funding.
Building on Experience
To bolster civil society's capacity for budget advocacy and create a network of advocates across Africa, GHAI, in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), has established the CSO Budget Advocacy Academy (The Academy). This comprehensive nine-month program aims to empower CSOs with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective epidemic preparedness advocacy.
Drawing from successful budget advocacy campaigns in Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Vietnam, The Academy utilizes resources like GHAI’s Budget Advocacy Toolkit for Epidemic Preparedness: Facilitator’s Guide. This guide offers a step-by-step approach for teaching epidemic preparedness advocacy techniques to government officials and CSO advocates. Through workshops and potentially online platforms, the Academy aims to scale up Prevent Epidemics budget advocacy efforts across multiple countries.
A Look at the CSO Budget Advocacy Academy
GHAI extended invitations to CSOs across Africa, receiving 169 applications. After a rigorous selection process, seven organizations, including LOPECO Foundation of South Africa, were chosen to participate in the program. The Academy combines hands-on learning and peer exchange through webinars and in-person workshops, ensuring participants gain practical experience and insights.
LOPECO is honored to be among the selected participants, alongside the Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation of Tanzania, Professional Alliance for Development (PADet) of Ethiopia, Centre for Reproductive Health and Education (CRHE) of Zambia, Samasha of Uganda, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), and the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) of Nigeria. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for LOPECO to learn from and contribute to a network of dedicated advocates across the continent.
Faculty and Mentors
The Academy’s faculty comprises experts in global health, epidemic preparedness, public health law, media advocacy, financing, and budget advocacy. Each participant, including those from LOPECO, is paired with mentors who provide ongoing support throughout the program, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Capstone Project
A key component of The Academy is the development of Capstone projects. Participants will leverage the knowledge acquired to create campaigns for epidemic preparedness budget advocacy in their home countries. These projects culminate in presentations to the international donor community, highlighting the critical need for increased domestic funding for epidemic preparedness.
LOPECO's Commitment
Through participation in The Academy, LOPECO is committed to strengthening South Africa's capacity to navigate the complexities of advocacy for epidemic preparedness. By utilizing tools and resources provided by GHAI and learning from the real-world successes of other nations, LOPECO aims to drive significant progress in securing adequate and reliable funding for health security initiatives.
As a proud member of this dynamic and transformative program, LOPECO is dedicated to amplifying the importance of epidemic preparedness and advocating for the necessary investments to protect the health and well-being of all South Africans. Together, with the support of GHAI and our fellow CSOs, we can build a robust and resilient health security framework for our country and region.
As a proud member of this dynamic and transformative program, LOPECO is dedicated to amplifying the importance of epidemic preparedness and advocating for the necessary investments to protect the health and well-being of all South Africans. Together, with the support of GHAI and our fellow CSOs, we can build a robust and resilient health security framework for our country and region.
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