"Let's remain mobilized and committed to the Alliance Droits et Santé network's vision of supporting its members in the ongoing development of their organizations."
You are part of the DO Fund allocation committee. How does this space work?
The allocation committee is composed of a chairperson and six members. It was created during the Alliance Droits et Santé workshop held in Cotonou in March 2019. This workshop was aimed at strengthening partnership ties between Alliance members, defining a common advocacy strategy, and reflecting on the network's governance model. It was this spirit of shared governance within the network that motivated the establishment of this allocation committee. It is responsible, in particular, for deciding on the granting of financial support for organizational strengthening actions to members who request it. More broadly, it plays a role in supporting members in identifying and formulating their needs. The committee holds working meetings in accordance with the DO call for projects calendar. Once the call for expressions of interest has been launched, the committee members receive the various proposals from the organizations, organize themselves into sub-groups, and analyze the calls for expressions of interest while avoiding conflicts of interest. The results of the analysis of the applications are presented in a report signed by all members.
What is your assessment of the allocation committee's initial work?
I have a high opinion of how this committee has functioned since its inception. I have noticed a high level of engagement among its members and a strong motivation to deliver quality work. Despite the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the committee has adapted to new communication tools so that it can continue to hold regular remote meetings. I believe that its capacity for adaptation and its personal and collective resilience have been strengthened.
What do you think of your role on the Allocation Committee?
As a member of the committee, I participate in the work and contribute to the achievement of Alliance Droits et Santé's objectives, which include strengthening the organizational capacities of member structures through quality assurance. I participate in the process from the analysis of proposals to the deliberation of results. It is another professional experience for me. It has strengthened my critical analysis and conciliation skills, both personally and professionally.
