The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is the largest donor for harm reduction in low- and middle-income  (LMI) countries, providing two-thirds of all international donor support. In May 2019, the Global Fund Board will approve the 2020-2022 allocation methodology and catalytic investment priorities, ahead of replenishment for the Global Fund in October 2019. These will have significant implications for harm reduction in LMI countries and as such, the ability of the Global Fund to step up the fight and get back on track to end AIDS by 2030.

This briefing, developed in collaboration with the Frontline AIDS, compiles evidence on the crucial nature of catalytic investment funds for harm reduction. In the briefing, we urge the Global Fund Board to safeguard catalytic investment funds—including multi-country grants, matching funds and strategic initiatives—regardless of the replenishment outcome, in order to sustain life-saving services for people who inject drugs and to incentivise domestic investment in harm reduction.