Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 is taking place in a challenging context of reduced donor funding, tighter timelines, and strategic shifts that present both opportunities and risks for trans and gender diverse, people who use drugs, men who have sex with men and sex worker communities. GATE, in collaboration with INPUD, MPACT and NSWP, is hosting a community webinar to map the lessons learned from the first two application windows, including both promising engagement strategies and significant barriers to meaningful participation.
Why this is important
This webinar on 22 September will bring together community experts to share country-level experiences, explore what worked and what did not, and identify community-specific and cross-cutting lessons. The discussion will also gather insights and recommendations to inform a lessons learned report and strengthen community engagement in future Global Fund processes.
Who should attend
- Key population-led organizations that have participated in Grant Cycle 8 processes and would like to share their experiences.
- Organizations that plan to participate in Global Fund processes in the future and would like to learn from community experiences.
Featured speakers
Anil Padavatan, GATE’s Health Lead and Isaac Olushola Ogunkola, Global Fund Programme Manager at INPUD will moderate the session featuring the following speakers:
- Apako Williams, Tranz Network Uganda, Executive Director
Apako Williams is a Ugandan social justice advocate and public health leader with over eight years’ experience advancing the rights and leadership of transgender communities. As Executive Director of Tranz Network Uganda, he leads community-led advocacy and movement strengthening. He also serves as the Substantive Key and Priority Populations Representative on Uganda’s Country Coordinating Mechanism, bringing direct experience in Global Fund governance.
- Bikas Gurung , Network of Asian People who Use Drugs (NAPUD) , Regional Coordinator
Bikas Gurung is a human rights, harm reduction, and drug policy reform activist from Nepal. Currently, he is the Regional Coordinator of the Network of Asian People who Use Drugs (NAPUD) and Vice-Chair of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) in Nepal.
With over 15 years of experience working and engaging at the national, regional, and international levels, Mr. Gurung completed his Master of Public Health at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. He has demonstrated leadership in advocating for drug policy reform and the human rights of people who use drugs at numerous forums, expert groups, and technical committees.
- Carolyne Njoroge, Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA rep), National Coordination
Carolyne Njoroge is a leader of the sex worker-led movement in Kenya. She is a passionate Key Populations advocate with extensive experience advancing HIV prevention, human rights and community-led programming in Kenya. She serves as National Coordinator of KESWA and Vice Chair of the Kenya Coordinating Mechanism, representing the Key Populations constituency. Her work focuses on strengthening sex worker leadership, challenging legal and structural barriers, and ensuring communities meaningfully lead policy, programming and accountability.
- Tadios Teddy Munyimani, GALZ – An Association of LGBTI People in Zimbabwe, Programmes Manager
Teddy is a seasoned Key Populations Programmes Manager with a strong background in Global Fund community engagement and strategic initiatives. He served as a member of Zimbabwe’s KP Writing Team for the GC8 funding request, contributing to the Human Rights and Gender module, the outreach site review matrix, and CSO Charter alignment work. His experience spans direct engagement with the CCM and Country Team on Key Populations participation in the Window 1 process.
Register now to attend our webinar!
Date
22 September 2026
Time
15:00 CEST ; 9:00 ET ; 20:00 IT
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