Civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth-led organizations (YLOs) enrich the GFF partnership by contributing their community knowledge and perspectives, advocating for better policies and more funding, and promoting equity, transparency, and accountability. Since its inception, the GFF has engaged with CSOs and YLOs around advocacy and accountability to advance health and nutrition outcomes for women, children and adolescents in partner countries. CSO and YLO representatives serve as members of the GFF Investors Group, ensuring that community voices help inform the GFF’s strategic direction, accountability, and leadership.

Meet the 2026 GFF Investors Group Civil Society and Youth Representatives

Note: As of September 2026, elections for alternate Civil Society and Youth Representatives are ongoing.

Stronger Partnerships, Deeper Engagements

The Global Civil Society Coordinating Group for the GFF (CSCG) and the Global Youth Platform (GYP) provide inclusive forums for CSOs and YLOs around the world to learn about and engage in the work of the GFF. The CSCG and GYP hold elections for the CSO and YLO representatives to the Investors Group and also convene an annual workshop alongside an Investors Group meeting to share knowledge, align on advocacy priorities, and inform GFF governance and strategy. The 2026 CSCG and GYP Annual Workshop will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 1–2, 2026 (more information coming soon). 

The CSCG and GYP global coordination unit is currently managed by Kinaura Partners (formerly Global Health Visions). To learn more about and to join the CSCG and GYP, please contact the Kinaura team via email at gff-csy@kinaura.com.

GFF x CIVIC Platform: Empowering CSOs and YLOs in GFF Partner Countries

In November 2024, the GFF Trust Fund Committee (TFC) approved a budget allocation of US$18 million for civil society and youth engagement. This funding will be used to (1) provide grants for local CSO and YLO coalition strengthening, advocacy and accountability activities in partner countries, and (2) support coordination and convening of the GFF global civil society and youth constituencies. 

In December 2025, the GFF and CIVIC: The Civil Society and Social Innovation Alliance announced the selection of two consortiums to lead the implementation of the new GFF × CIVIC Platform — a joint initiative backed by a US$10 million investment over two years. Led by PATH, AFIDEP and OAY (VOICES Consortium) and Action Against Hunger, ENN and The Youth Café (ALIGN Consortium), these two consortia will provide subgrants and technical assistance to strengthen CSO/YLO in GFF partner countries. 

Learn more about the GFF x CIVIC Platform.

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GFF Civil Society and Youth Engagement in Action

Malawi
In July 2026, Malawi launched its first-ever National Health Fund, marking a significant step toward strengthening domestic resource mobilization for health and reducing reliance on external aid. Civil society organizations, including CSCG member HREP Malawi, played a central role in advocating for the reform through sustained engagement with the Ministry of Health, the Treasury, and Parliament. Following the fund’s establishment, civil society leaders have continued to push for strong governance and accountability mechanisms, including representation on oversight bodies, to help ensure transparency, prevent misuse of funds, and promote equitable access to healthcare services.

Senegal
In 2025–2026, GYP member Alliance Nationale de la Jeunesse pour la Santé et le Développement (ANJ-SD) partnered with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene to scale its Les Aînés Protecteurs family planning initiative across all 14 regions of Senegal. The initiative strengthened male engagement and community support for sexual and reproductive health while expanding outreach to underserved populations. ANJ-SD also advanced youth-led accountability and innovation through partnerships linking health advocacy with women's economic empowerment and by launching its Innovation & Impact digital incubator and Youth Hub, which equips young people with digital and data tools to monitor health challenges and contribute to evidence-based solutions.