In a two-day meeting in Lebanon last April, the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) convened with its sub-sub-recipients (SSRs) to propel activities forward under a vital Global Fund grant. The Training brought together program and finance staff from MENAHRA’s main partner organizations – MENANPUD, MENA Rosa, and RANAA. The goal was to align their efforts and speed up the implementation of activities before the current Global Fund grant ends in 2024.

As a key partner under the Global Fund grant, MENAHRA plays a central role in developing and strengthening harm reduction strategies in the MENA region. Through this collaborative meeting, MENAHRA aimed to foster closer coordination and synergy among its partners, allowing them to combine their expertise and resources for maximum impact.

Aligning Efforts, Achieving Goals.

The coordination meeting centered on achieving key objectives:

• Building Bridges, Sharing Knowledge: Fostering open communication and collaboration among SSRs. This training meeting allowed them to share experiences, best practices, and solutions, ensuring comprehensive coverage and addressing implementation hurdles.
• Accelerating Action: The meeting fueled a commitment to expedite grant-funded activities. Action plans were developed to guarantee project milestones and objectives were met within the designated timeframe.
• Strengthening Grant Management: Sessions on financial oversight, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) provided valuable insights. Participants gained a deeper understanding of donor requirements and the essential tools to ensure proper grant management.
• Empowering for Impact: The agenda also incorporated a training session focused on elevating the communication strategies and visibility of NGOs. This session equipped participants with innovative approaches to amplify the impact and reach of their crucial work.

Synergy for Sustainability

As the Global Fund grant cycle draws to a close, the MENAHRA coordination meeting proved to be a foundation for aligning efforts, tackling challenges, and ensuring the successful completion of Year 3 activities. Participants emerged from the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and a strong commitment to ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This collaborative spirit paves the way for the long-term sustainability of harm reduction initiatives across the MENA region.