Domestic Resource Mobilization and Stewardship
Why It Matters
Across many low- and middle-income countries, health systems face a persistent challenge: unpredictable and fragmented domestic resources. This limits governments’ ability to deliver consistent, equitable services, especially for their most vulnerable citizens.
TAAC works to close this gap by mobilizing and stewarding resources across the full ecosystem — financial and non-financial, governmental and non-governmental, formal and informal. Our approach ensures that domestic resource mobilization (DRM) is not just about budgets, but about activating all available capacities within the system to sustain progress and resilience.
What We Mean by DRM
TAAC defines Domestic Resource Mobilization broadly. Money matters — but so do people, institutions, partnerships, and knowledge. We consider the following as core components of domestic capacity:
- Financial resources: National budgets, subnational allocations, and innovative financing (including private or blended finance).
- Community assets: Volunteers, peer educators, and community-led initiatives that expand reach and drive social accountability.
- Civil society organizations (CSOs): NGOs, grassroots networks, and CBOs that advocate, hold stakeholders accountable, and amplify marginalized voices.
- Academia and research institutions: Evidence generators who unpack how financing systems work and inform members about what approaches succeed or fail.
- Media actors: Journalists and communication platforms that amplify citizen concerns, increase transparency, and connect the public with policymakers.
- Local champions: Influential and trusted figures — such as faith or traditional leaders — who mobilize communities and engage decision-makers.
- Professional associations: Organized groups (e.g., health worker associations) that identify system gaps, advocate for resources, and support reform implementation.
- Private sector actors: Businesses and philanthropies providing in-kind support, infrastructure, or financial contributions to strengthen public–private partnerships.
By engaging this full range of stakeholders, TAAC helps countries strengthen stewardship, optimize scarce resources, and meet intersecting health, climate, and livelihood challenges.
How We Work
1. Mapping the System
TAAC begins by analyzing the resource ecosystem — public, private, and community.
We map processes of:
1. Allocation
2. Disbursement
3. Use
4. Reporting
This is complemented by political economy analysis to uncover who holds influence, where leverage lies, and what incentives drive decision-making.
The same mapping extends to the CSO landscape — identifying existing actors, their technical capacities, financial strength, and operational reach.
2. Strengthening Capacity
Civil society often needs support to navigate complex financial systems and bureaucratic processes.
TAAC invests in continuous capacity strengthening — helping members understand budget cycles, interpret fiscal data, and identify entry points for advocacy. This knowledge endures beyond individual projects, empowering members to continually mobilize and monitor the resources that matter most to their communities.
3. From Analysis to Action
Based on the system mapping, TAAC Country Collaboratives use SMART Advocacy, structured policy dialogue, and proven social accountability tools to unlock new resources or improve spending efficiency.
Where political opportunities are limited, Collaboratives define short-term (6–12 month) milestones that build toward long-term systemic reforms — ensuring sustained momentum amidst competing priorities.
4. Monitoring and Stewardship
Mobilizing resources is only half the story.
TAAC also supports tracking of expenditures and documentation of community and civil society contributions.
By promoting transparency and accountability, we help ensure that resources are used effectively, equitably, and sustainably.
The TAAC Difference
TAAC weaves together financial flows, community efforts, civil society advocacy, and private partnerships into a coherent ecosystem of accountability and stewardship.
The result is stronger, more equitable health systems — able to withstand shocks, adapt to change, and deliver on the promise of sustainable, locally led development.