Aidspan is a non-profit organization based in Kenya whose vision is for an effective and transparent Global Fund that attains its mission.

Aidspan's mission is to be an effective watchdog of the Global Fund at global and country levels by providing information, critical analysis and commentary on developments at the Fund.

Aidspan is funded by grants from governments, foundations and private individuals. Aidspan does not accept funding of any kind from the Global Fund.

Aidspan and the Global Fund maintain a positive working relationship, but have no formal connection. Aidspan does not allow its strategic, programmatic or editorial decision-making to be influenced by The Global Fund or by relationships with current or potential funders. The Global Fund and Aidspan's funders bear no responsibility for the contents of any Aidspan publication.

Aidspan was incorporated in the USA in 2002 and was registered in 2003 as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. From 2002-2007, Aidspan did most of its work from New York. In 2007 Aidspan chose to move its office, and grow its staff in Nairobi, Kenya. Aidspan believes that a watchdog agency, committed to increasing the effectiveness of the Global Fund and holding it accountable, should be based in the South, where most Global Fund grants are implemented, rather than in the North, where much of the money comes from. A growing group of correspondents for Global Fund Observer are based across several continents.

Aidspan has been building its reputation for responsible reporting, commentary and analysis on all aspects of the Global Fund ecology since 2002. They have built an extensive global network of links. They try to always constructively comment on the extent to which the Global Fund's Board, Secretariat and grant implementers are being effective and are living up to the Fund's founding principles.

They do this by publishing timely and relevant information and thoughtful, incisive analysis and; through facilitating critical debate; and promoting greater transparency, accountability, effectiveness and impact. One of their main channels to date has been the Global Fund Observer.

Under its 2016-2018 Strategic Plan, Aidspan’s work falls under three objectives: (1) The Global Fund policies, processes, structures, and effectiveness improve as a result of Aidspan’s critical assessment; (2) The Global Fund becomes more transparent with more accurate and complete data made available; and (3) Aidspan becomes stronger and more sustainable.

Under the first objective, Aidspan if focusing on (a) Effectiveness of funding processes, assurance mechanisms, and governance and management structures at global and country levels; (b) Contribution of the Fund to sustaining impact in countries transitioning from Global Fund financing; (c) Effectiveness of policies and processes in enhancing involvement of key populations in country-level processes, the response to gender inequalities and violence, and the attention to human rights issues in the response to the three diseases; and (d) Effectiveness of the Fund’s role in increasing domestic funding for health as one step towards sustainability.

Specific areas of focus under the second objective are (a) Extent of transparency with respect to Fund-related documents; (b) Availability of quality data at country level for effective grant making and measuring success of Global Fund investments; and (c) Collaboration with experts and organizations working on transparency and data quality.

Under the third objective, Aidspan is focusing on (a) Improving board governance and oversight; (b) Strengthening management structure, systems and processes; and (c) Efficient mobilization of financial resources.

For each area of focus, the 2016-2018 strategic plan identifies several major activities. For example, while Aidspan’s communications flagship product – the Global Fund Observer newsletter – will continue to publish news about the Fund regularly, a new quarterly publication will feature more in-depth analysis. Other major activities planned include the following: (a) assess the extent to which country level oversight bodies enhance effectiveness and accountability; (b) assess the impact of The Global Fund’s policies on strengthening national health systems; (c) assess the strategy and policies the Fund adopts with respect to its role in the development and implementation of transition planning; (d) investigate the impact of The Global Fund’s withdrawal from supported countries, particularly on key affected populations; (e) highlight gaps in information that should be made public by the Fund at all levels; and (f) assess the Fund’s efforts to access quality country level data. Please see the Strategic Plan for further details.

As part of the 2016-2018 Strategic Plan, a revised organization structure for Aidspan is being implemented. There will be three functional areas – Policy Analysis; Communications; and Finance & Administration – headed by senior managers who report to an executive director, and supported by consultants who will be engaged as needed.