{"id":251987,"date":"2022-05-15T03:14:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-15T01:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rapport-annuel.expertisefrance.fr\/projets\/linitiative-10-years-fighting-pandemics\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T19:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T17:26:39","slug":"linitiative","status":"publish","type":"projet","link":"https:\/\/rapport-annuel.expertisefrance.fr\/en\/projects\/linitiative\/","title":{"rendered":"L\u2019Initiative: 10 Years Fighting Pandemics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Interview<\/p>\n\n\n\n
L\u2019Initiative: 10 Years Fighting Pandemics<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Expertise France has run L\u2019Initiative since 2011. As France\u2019s contribution to the Global Fund, this facilitating tool participates in the fight against HIV\/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria worldwide. <\/p>\n\n\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \n
\n \n
\r\n \n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
With ST\u00c9PHANIE SEYDOUX<\/strong><\/strong><\/mark><\/strong>, French Ambassador for Global Health<\/p>\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n
In 2021, L\u2019Initiative celebrated its 10 years of existence. What is your takeaway after a decade of fighting pandemics? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Since it was created in 2011, L\u2019Initiative has undergone remarkable operational, financial, and human growth. Its figures are impressive: Over 600 expertise missions have been deployed and over 150 projects funded. But beyond these results, L\u2019Initiative\u2019s ability to complement the Global Fund\u2019s action should be commended: It has helped strengthen the coherence of France\u2019s investments in global health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
L\u2019Initiative\u2019s projects with a catalytic dimension \u2014 mostly those concerning vulnerable populations \u2014 enable actions targeting key populations. These projects are vital to the fight against pandemics and require specific skills and procedures, which prove more difficult to deploy in the context of a Global Fund grant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We receive feedback concerning L\u2019Initiative\u2019s efficiency through our diplomatic network \u2014 especially from our regional global health advisors \u2014 but also through our partners for whom L\u2019Initiative plays an essential role in the 40 countries where it operates. France makes it a point to pass on the L\u2019Initiative experts\u2019 field knowledge, assessments, and analyses. Indeed, these provide valuable clarification for the Global Fund board, be it in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the strengthening of health systems, or other cross-cutting themes (e.g., the right to sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and inclusion of key populations in the Global Fund\u2019s governance bodies). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faced with the Covid-19 crisis, L\u2019Initiative was able to step up its support rapidly: 41.7 million euros were invested in 2020, including 9.5 million euros for technical assistance. In 2021, 29 technical assistance missions made it possible to mobilize 500 million euros in grants from the Global Fund dedicated to the Covid-19 response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond figures, L\u2019Initiative has succeeded in creating a rich ecosystem of stakeholders from the French-speaking world (e.g., experts, researchers, and community health workers), who work together for global health.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
In 10 years, L\u2019Initiative has made it possible to deploy over 600 expertise missions and finance 150 projects.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are L\u2019Initiative\u2019s greatest assets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unquestionably, L\u2019Initiative\u2019s added value lies in its fine knowledge of the field, key populations, and those who empower these latter the most: Community workers, who are vital partners in the fight against pandemics. By supporting these stakeholders, L\u2019Initiative helps them better structure their actions. This collaboration also helps measure the actual impact of the Global Fund\u2019s grants, to which France contributes massively. For example, we can mention our project in the Mekong Basin, in Cambodia, to fight malaria among forest populations: Last year, only 29 cases were reported, and no deaths! L\u2019Initiative is full of such projects aimed at key populations needing to be reached \u201cto the last mile.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
L\u2019Initiative also ensures that the supported projects are sustainable and help countries take ownership. Another example: In February 2019, France launched the Presidential Initiative for Health in Africa (IPSA in French) to help Burundi, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, the Central African Republic, and more recently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in implementing Global Fund grants so they can accelerate their pandemic response. The objective is to link the fight against pandemics to the strengthening of health systems. Working alongside national authorities and with health ministries, in particular, high-level technical experts provide tailored assistance to governments in the programming and decentralized implementation of Global Fund grants. <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rapport-annuel.expertisefrance.fr\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/04\/ODD-3-Portrait-Stephanie-Seydoux-OK.jpg.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rapport-annuel.expertisefrance.fr\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/2026\/04\/ODD-3-Corps-OK_1.jpg.webp\" "\\"\u00a9")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n