For the first time, an Advocacy Plan for the TB community has been developed in Azerbaijan, marking a significant step toward strengthening the engagement of civil society representatives in the decision-making process.
The Plan was created by the community as part of the implementation of Component 2 of the Global Fund's Strategic Initiative for 2024–2026, with the support of our national partner, the Public Union "Saglamliga Khidmat." The document is based on the insights and experiences of a broad range of civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) actively involved in TB prevention and support for people affected by tuberculosis. It also reflects key findings from recent country assessments and studies conducted within TB-related projects.
To ensure an inclusive and representative approach, the draft Plan was initially shared with key TB-focused NGOs for their review of the proposed activities, implementation timelines, and the opportunity to expand the list of advocacy priorities for the coming years. Recognizing the importance of comprehensive discussions, a series of individual online consultations were held with each organization, facilitating a collaborative and step-by-step refinement of the Plan’s content. The feedback and recommendations received were incorporated into the final version of the document.
Additionally, during the early stages of development, consultations were conducted with the National TB Program (NTP) to ensure the Plan aligns with the country’s National TB Strategy. As a result, this collaborative effort not only produced a stronger and more community-driven advocacy document but also reinforced the crucial role of civil society in shaping national TB policies.
Let us remind you that TBEC is a technical provider within the framework of this project and provides assistance to civil sector organizations in 3 EECA countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan.