Emergency Support Fund for Ukraine and CEECA region
Emergency Support Fund for Ukraine and CEECA region
Project
Since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022, we set up the Emergency Support Fund for Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries (ESFU) with the aim to ensure uninterrupted services and safety for people living with and vulnerable to HIV. The fund provides short-term small grants and mid-term support for community-led and community-based organisations in Ukraine and CEECA countries. Importantly, the granting process is flexible, low-threshold, and fast-paced.
In 2022, the Fund provided 64 grants to support 33 community-led organisations in Ukraine. This resulted in the assistance of 12.500 people with essential needs in the HIV response. It also contributed to the survival of community-led organisations in times of crisis.
Project details
Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Objectives
Through the participatory grantmaking model (PGM), we provide funding and structural support, including capacity strengthening, support in advocacy and coalition building, to key population-led and/or key population-based organisations in the CEECA region.
Our investments provide community-based organisations with the direct care and support that is so desperately needed, and that it reaches places that are often overlooked.
Putting communities at the heart of the HIV response
In 2023, we proudly transferred grantmaking responsibilities to community-based organisations in the region (ECOM and APH). Together with them, we set up a participatory grantmaking model, whereby communities decide on the distribution of grants themselves. With the model, we follow the belief that, now more than ever, communities in the region should be at the steering wheel of the decisions on HIV programming and support. Through the participatory grantmaking model (PGM), we provide funding and structural support, including capacity strengthening, support in advocacy and coalition building, to key population-led and/or key population-based organisations in the region.
In the first half of 2023, our partners disbursed over 60 small grants in the CEECA region and 15 medium grants, supporting and strengthening communities that are facing new realities as a result of the war and the increased, and changing migration flows that follow this. In line with the PGM principle, the strategic direction and thematic priorities of the fund are advised by the Strategic Advisory Group, which is composed of key population community representatives. Interested to find out about current calls for proposals? Visit the AHP and ECOM websites.
The impact we made
From 2022 to 2025, we have made available €4 million for grants, and an additional €1.5 million to support long-term investments in the region.
Our investments provide community-based organisations with the direct care and support that is so desperately needed, and that it reaches places that are often overlooked. Our support strengthens existing community systems as well as the capacity of groups that matter.
We strongly believe that more funding is needed for communities to end AIDS in the CEECA region. It is imperative that more resources go directly to these communities or through established mechanisms, such as the one of Aidsfonds. By prioritising community-led initiatives and empowering local organisations, we can ensure a more impactful and sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in the region.
Partner with us!
We are always looking for strategic partners in order to support the community-led HIV-response in the region. Are you interested in partnering with us? Make sure to reach out to our Partnership Lead, Lewis Smith at lsmith@aidsfonds.nl.