Key populations in Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Key populations in Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Project
The Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) region has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the world. In the face of many crises and challenges in this region, local organisations have risen to the challenge with immense courage and creativity, rolling out inspiring solutions for the communities most affected by the HIV-epidemic. Despite the complex social, economic, and political landscapes, these organisations have demonstrated resilience and a steadfast commitment to tackling the epidemic head-on. We believe that these organisations need to be supported, as they are the heart of the HIV-response. That's why we provide funding and structural support, including capacity strengthening, support in advocacy and coalition building, to key population-led and –based organisations.
Project details
Central and Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Objectives
Through the participatory grantmaking model, we provide funding and structural support, including capacity strengthening, support in advocacy and coalition building, to key population-and/or key population-based organisations in the region.
We make a minimum of €500.000 per year available to key population-led and –based organisations to ensure:
- Access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and adherence services for key populations
- Reduced inequalities, including stigma, discrimination and criminalization, that hinder an effective HIV response
- Community systems strengthening, that allows for increased access to finance, building or joining coalitions and contribution to the overall HIV response system strengthening.
Putting communities at the heart of the HIV-response
We know that directly supporting communities that are at the highest risk of infection is the most effective approach in the response to HIV/AIDS. They know best what they need to remove the barriers to prevention and treatment. Through the participatory grantmaking model, 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 CEECA region, we focus on the urgent unmet needs of key populations, strengthen the capacity of the community systems response –and its sustainability-, and address the scarcity and fragmentation of international funding for key populations. At the core of our work is cooperation: together with other HIV funders in the region, we strive for increased impact through complementarity of funding. 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.
The help of the Emergency Support Fund for Ukraine is invaluable and timely for us, for which we are hugely grateful - both from [the organisation] OO Era Mercy and from people living with HIV who received high-quality and timely help from the Fund.
Partner with us!
We strongly believe that more funding is needed for communities to end AIDS in the CEECA region.
Over the past decade, Aidsfonds has gained significant experience and knowledge in the region. We have developed a strong network and expertise, which enables us to effectively work with communities to address the challenges of the HIV-epidemic and implement targeted interventions that are informed by local context and needs. 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.
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.