The Challenge Initiative (TCI) has just completed a look back at its performance for 2023 with its latest annual report to reflect on its mission to bolster family planning (FP) and adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs for the urban poor across Africa and Asia. TCI has now engaged 198 local governments across 13 countries, impacting a population of 241 million individuals. TCI works with partners in six regional hubs (East Africa, Francophone West Africa, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and Philippines) to support local governments in implementing high-impact practices and other interventions (HIPs & HIIs).
Twenty-eight new cities were added in 2023. In the Philippines alone, TCI added 11 highly populated cities to its roster, along with 10 new cities from the Rapid Scale Initiative (RSI), demonstrating a concerted effort to broaden its reach and impact. Notably, 97 local governments have graduated from TCI’s direct support, yet they continue to perform, while receiving monitoring and TCI coaching on demand to ensure sustainable progress. Throughout these engaged cities, TCI’s efforts resulted in an impressive 991,688 additional family planning clients in 2023, surpassing its target by 115%. Since 2017, TCI has contributed to 4.2 million additional family planning clients, showcasing its enduring impact on communities.
A core focus of TCI’s strategy lies in supporting local governments to implement HIPs & HIIs effectively. Notably, postpartum family planning (PPFP) has gained significant traction, with approximately 2,000 facilities now offering PPFP services across TCI-supported cities, which is 69% of eligible facilites. In addition, TCI coaches helped train more than 4,600 service providers in PPFP, underscoring its commitment to improving access to family planning resources.
Moreover, TCI successfully met its 2023 targets for facility coverage across various service delivery interventions, with family planning in-reaches being implemented in 98% of eligible facilities. Additionally, TCI coaches provided community health workers (CHWs) with necessary skills and knowledge to amplify its impact within communities.
To participate in TCI, local governments are required to make a financial commitment to support family planning activities. In 2023, financial commitments from local governments remained strong, with an average expenditure across all six TCI hubs of nearly 85% of committed funds. Nigeria emerged as a frontrunner, with 161% of committed local funds spent on family planning activities.
TCI University (TCI-U) was also updated and adapted in 2023, based on learnings. With over 16,000 registered users and 50,000 certificates earned, TCI-U remains a vital resource for strengthening local government capacity in implementing HIPs & HIIs within TCI’s partner communities.
Despite challenges such as commodity stockouts and training gaps, TCI’s unwavering dedication to expanding family planning access underscores its pivotal role in advancing sexual and reproductive health across communities. As TCI continues to refine its strategies and collaborate with stakeholders, its impact is poised to grow, fostering healthier and more empowered societies.
