The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) was set up in April 2020 as a groundbreaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.

Between July 2020 and March 2023 the Platform for ACT-A Civil Society & Community Representatives (the Platform) supported community and civil society representatives in ACT-A and advocated for every aspect of the ACT-A to have reserved space for communities and civil society to bring their expertise, experience and voices to the table.

In total 47 community and civil society representatives participated across the 4 “Pillars” (Vaccines/COVAX, Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Health Systems & Response Connector) and two representatives at the Facilitation Council to represent the views and perspectives of communities and civil society.

The Platform played a key role in ACT-A providing systematic representation across all pillars and working groups, increasing ACT-A’s accountability and effectiveness and providing a model for ensuring strong standards of meaningful involvement of civil society and communities in global health initiatives.