The National Contraceptive Security Commission in Guatemala Addresses Political and Operational Challenges through Collaborating, Learning, Adapting, and Transforming

The National Contraceptive Security Commission (CNAA) in Guatemala was established to ensure the availability of contraceptives and to guarantee the population's access to family planning. Representatives of public organizations, civil society, and trade associations participate in the group, however, the integration of representatives from different areas, with different responsibilities and interests, has posed a challenge. 

To address the challenge, Health and Education Policy Plus (HEP+), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, worked with the CNAA to apply the collaborate, learn, adapt (CLA) framework to identify strengths and develop bonds of trust among its members. In addition, HEP+ facilitated activities to acknowledge the contribution of each member and to achieve agreements in planning, decision making, potential allies, and joint action. These practices have generated important results such as: 

1. Supporting the update of regulations surrounding the purchase of drugs (from international sources) to now include contraceptives 

2. Promoting advocacy and dialogue when family planning financing or services are at risk due to political or institutional provisions 

3. Helping to address barriers to expand coverage of family planning to include young people, among other results 

This case study will focus on how HEP+ used CLA principles to help CNAA strengthen relationships and networks, and foster both internal and external collaboration to improve access to contraceptives in Guatemala.