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EHRA is looking for national consultants in Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (one for each country) for advocacy support to conduct tripartite national working meetings on improving the quality of services of harm reduction programmes.

Posted on 2022-07-232022-08-05 by EHRA

RFP Number	EHRA-07-27
RFP Title	External consultants on advocacy support to conduct tripartite national working meetings in Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (one per each country) aim to improve the quality of services of harm reduction programmes.
RFP Closing Date and time:	24:00 EET on August 15, 2022
Proposal Submission Address:	info@harmreductioneurasia.org

Background

Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) is a non-for-profit public membership-based organization uniting harm reduction activists and organisations from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) with its mission to actively unite and support communities and civil societies to ensure the rights and freedoms, health.

Being a partner of the Alliance for Public Health, the All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH 100% Life and other regional networks in the implementation of the Global Fund funded regional HIV project “Sustainability of services for key populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia”, EHRA activities, among others, aim to improve the quality of harm reduction services by national authorities and service providers in EECA countries.

Shifting away to national funding of harm reduction services in EECA countries over the next few years will result in the quality of harm reduction services being governed by national standards or guidelines. In this situation, there are certain risks that could lead to the loss of significance of harm reduction services by national authorities and service providers, hence the loss of their holistic and integrated impact on the health and social well-being of people who use drugs, as well as problems in ensuring the quality of harm reduction services.

To minimize these risks, EHRA throughout 2022-2024 is planning to initiate a series of national meetings aiming to build consensus among all key national stakeholders on the current approaches to harm reduction as an element of HIV prevention and the prospects for modernizing approaches based on the current comprehensive aims and objectives of harm reduction. It is expected that such meetings will contribute to the modernization of principles, values and approaches in the work of harm reduction programmes and will help to achieve the following objectives:

ensure coordination of national efforts to improve the quality of harm reduction between representatives of the community of people who use drugs, service providers and the customers of harm reduction services (relevant government agencies, international donors);
expand the dialogue around the comprehensiveness of harm reduction programmes, avoiding its isolation only in the HIV response, and, consequently, engage stakeholders responsible for implementation of various social assistance programmes at the national and municipal level;
ensure the inclusiveness of such a dialogue on complexity of harm reduction programmes, providing equal opportunities on the influence the national plans on quality increasing of the indicated programmes for all three parties, namely the community of people who use drugs, service providers and service users (relevant government agencies, municipalities, international donors working in the country).
ensure transparency and accountability in the process of making progress in the implementation of national strategies of the quality improving of harm reduction programmes.

Objectives and key tasks of the national consultants.

EHRA is looking for national consultants in five countries: Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (one for each country) for advocacy support of tripartite national working meetings to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders involved in the design, planning and implementation of harm reduction in modernizing national/regional systems that define principles and objectives for harm reduction programmes to significantly improve their quality to match the existing best international practices.

These national consultants are expected to carry out the following tasks according to the following timeframe:

Conduct a mapping of the key challenges and barriers in modernizing harm reduction principles, values and approaches in harm reduction programmes functioning at the national level. Formulate a framework for action to modernize harm reduction approaches based on the mapping.
Initiating a dialogue with the key national representatives of stakeholders involved in the establishment, planning and implementation of harm reduction programs regarding the existing approaches to the implementation of harm reduction programs as an element of HIV prevention and the prospects for modernizing the approaches, taking into consideration the existing complexity of goals and objectives of harm reduction programmes. It is expected that, as a result of such communication, the selected consultants will discuss and finalize a framework for action to modernize harm reduction programming approaches.
Coordinate on preparing and expert participating in tripartite national working meetings to build consensus on a comprehensive understanding of the quality of harm reduction programmes in relation to the needs of the community of people who use drugs.
Ensure coordination of further steps at the national level to ensure the quality of harm reduction programmes, in particular by initiating:
- preparation of a national plan/strategy to improve the quality of harm reduction services considering the best international practices that comprehensively meet the needs of people who use drugs.
- establishing a working group to modernize the principles, values and approaches of harm reduction programmes.

The tripartite national working meetings are expected to include the following stakeholders:

Representatives from state and municipal health and social services, and other state institutions responsible for funding, planning and overseeing harm reduction programs at national and local levels;
Individual and organizational representatives of the community of people who use drugs at national and municipal levels;
Key representatives of organizations providing harm reduction services in the country at national and municipal level;
Representatives of regional and international organizations that are interested in improving the quality of harm reduction programs (EHRA, international donors funding harm reduction, HIV prevention and other health services, WHO).

Within the framework of this ToR, the selected consultants will use in their communication with the national partners (1) EHRA position on quality of harm reduction services and (2) the tool “Components, Arguments, Criteria” (CAC) developed by EHRA. EHRA will support the selected consultant in understanding this position. Upon request, EHRA will provide expert support in understanding of the indicated concept and the principles, values and approaches in modernizing the work of harm reduction programmes.

The consultant should be available for regular calls with designated EHRA staff/experts to discuss the progress/challenges related with the fulfilment of the task.

Expected results:

The following products (in Russian) are to be provided as a result of the work carried out by the consultant in accordance with these ToR:

– Results of the mapping of key challenges and barriers in the modernization of harm reduction principles, values and approaches in the work of harm reduction programs at the national level.

– Framework description of actions on modernizing harm reduction programmes, based on the mapping arranged.

– Program and protocol for the tripartite national consensus dialogue on a comprehensive understanding of the quality of harm reduction programmes, taking into consideration the needs of the community of people who use drugs.

Proposed timeline:

August 2022 – to conduct a mapping of key challenges and barriers in modernizing of harm reduction principles, values and approaches at the national level. Formulate a framework for action to modernize harm reduction approaches based on the mapping.

September-October 2022 – to initiate the dialogue with key national stakeholders involved in the creation, planning and implementation of harm reduction programmes about established approaches to the implementation of harm reduction programmes as an element of HIV prevention and the prospects for modernising approaches, taking into account the current complexity of harm reduction programme goals and objectives.

November 2022 – expert participation and facilitation of tripartite national dialogues to build consensus on a comprehensive understanding of the quality of harm reduction programmes in relation to the needs of the community of people who use drugs.

November-December 2022 – to ensure coordination of further steps at national level to provide the quality of harm reduction programmes

Cost of services and payment procedure

The cost of services will be calculated on the basis of the fixed number of consultant working days (25) and his/her confirmed daily rate. However, the total contract value of each consultant under this ToR shall not exceed $1,500 (including all taxes and related costs).

Evaluation criteria / requirements for candidates:

Submitted applications will be evaluated by the evaluation panel of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association.

A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals:

evaluation of the previous experience (portfolio) via technical criteria – 80% in total evaluation.
comparison of the costs (best value for money) – 20% in total evaluation. The EHRA will evaluate the proposal regarding the best value for money (price in euros and other factors are taken into account).

Cost evaluation is only undertaken for technical submissions that score a minimum 80 points out of a maximum of 100 as a requirement to pass the technical evaluation. A proposal which fails to achieve the minimum technical threshold will not be considered further.

Сriteria:	Points
Excellent understanding of the context and processes connected with the implementation of harm reduction programmes	50
Experience in the similar advocacy work targeting to key national stakeholders who involved in the creation, planning and implementation of harm reduction programmes	30
Excellent understanding of the structure and experience of working with the range of national stakeholders involved in the creation, planning and implementation of harm reduction programmes	20
Maximum possible number of points	100

This announcement shall not be construed as a contract or a commitment of any kind. This request for proposals in no way obligates EHRA to award a contract, nor does it commit EHRA to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposals.

How to apply

To be eligible as a EHRA consultant, any organization or individual must comply with the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association Code of Ethics which you can find at the following link: https://old.harmreductioneurasia.org/ehra-code-of-ethics/

Applicants must submit the following documents:

– CV,

– Letter of Interest. The CV and application should clearly reflect the competency of the candidate necessary to complete this task, as well as include the proposed number of working days for each stage, cost and timing of their implementation.

Please submit your proposal to the info@harmreductioneurasia.org .

In the subject line of your e-mail please indicate the RFP number and your name. Otherwise, the application will not be considered.

General terms

Interested consultants should pay attention to the following conditions:

EHRA will sign a contract with the 5 winners of the complete selection. The contract will define the detailed work plan and payment terms.

EHRA reserves the right (but does not commit itself to any obligation) to enter into negotiations with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications or additional information as well as to agree on the timing of the works. The successful candidate must confirm his/ her daily rate before signing the agreement. The results will be announced by August 19, 2022. Each candidate will be contacted individually.

Any questions regarding participation should be sent to yevheniia@harmreductioneurasia.org by August 15, 2022.

Ми запускаємо роботу телеграм каналу для допомоги українцям з числа людей, які вживають наркотики

Posted on 2022-03-312022-03-31 by Igor Gordon

Ми запускаємо роботу телеграм каналу для допомоги українцям з числа людей, які вживають наркотики, у координації та наданні соціальної, медичної та гуманітарної підтримки в Україні. Канал надаватиме допомогу в наступних напрямках:

– підтримка та координація в отриманні доступу до замісної терапії (ЗПТ), антиретровірусної терапії, протитуберкульозного (ПТБ) та лікування гепатиту для людей, які вживають наркотики в Україні та за кордоном

– підтримка та координація в отриманні доступу до гуманітарної допомоги, житла, медично-соціальних потреб для людей, які вживають наркотики в Україні та за кордоном

– можливості соціальної, медичної та гуманітарної підтримки для людей, які вживають наркотики та перебувають в Україні

Доступ до каналу ви зможете знайти за посиланням https://t.me/HarmReductionForUkrainians.

Просимо вас надсилати інформацію щодо каналу тим, хто потребує допомоги.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: EHRA is pleased to announce a new RFP on Selection of simultaneous interpreters

Posted on 2022-01-19 by EHRA

RFP Number	EHRA-01-03
RFP Title	External consultant. Simultaneous interpreters
RFP Closing Date and time:	24:00 EET on January 31, 2022
Proposal Submission Address:	info@harmreductioneurasia.org

Background

More information about the Association and specifics of the work you can find on our website: https://old.harmreductioneurasia.org

Objectives of the tender:

EHRA announces a tender for the selection of simultaneous interpreters from English into Russian and from Russian into English for long-term cooperation (remote online work). Based on the results of the tender, several simultaneous interpreters will be selected, with whom EHRA will sign long-term contracts.

Evaluation criteria:

Submitted applications will be evaluated by the evaluation panel of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association.

A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals:

evaluation of the previous experience (portfolio) via technical criteria – 80% in total evaluation;
comparison of the costs (per-hour cost in EUR) – 20% in total evaluation.

*To assess submitted applications, the following technical criteria will be used (80%) (maximum possible number of points is 100):*	Points
Simultaneous interpretation experience in public health and human rights, harm reduction, drug policy, response to the HIV epidemic (at least 1 year)	50
Academic background (degree in linguistics, philology, etc., special courses for interpreters, certificates, etc.)	50
Maximum possible number of points	100

Cost proposal (20%): EHRA will allocate same importance to the provided portfolio and recorded experience as to the cost of the services. The cost proposal will be evaluated in terms of best value-for money (per hour cost in EUR working remotely online).

How to apply

To be eligible as an EHRA consultant, any organization or individual must comply with the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association Code of Ethics which you can find at the following link: https://old.harmreductioneurasia.org/ehra-code-of-ethics/

Applicants must submit the following documents:

CV with relevant information in the field of simultaneous interpretation and education.
Application (motivation letter) in free form, in which you must specify:

– cost per hour in EUR of remote work online;

– the subject matter in which you are working, taking into account the specifics of EHRA, especially highlighting services for UN agencies or the Global Fund, services to combat HIV, TB and malaria;

– contact details of persons for whom you have provided interpretation services in the last 6 months (2-3 events).

Please submit your proposal to info@harmreductioneurasia.org .

In the subject line of your e-mail please indicate the RFP number EHRA-01-03, the title “External consultant. Simultaneous interpreters” and your name. Otherwise, the application will not be considered.

ATTENTION. If these documents are not submitted in full, the participant will not be allowed to take part in the tender.

General terms

Interested consultants should pay attention to the following conditions:

This RFP shall not be interpreted as a contract or obligation of any kind. This invitation to tender does not in any way oblige EHRA to enter into contracts, nor does it oblige EHRA to pay any costs incurred in preparing and submitting applications.
Participants must confirm that the cost of the works specified in the application are valid for a period of at least 24 months from the date of the competition.
During the evaluation period, EHRA reserves the right to ask candidates to complete an additional task in the form of simultaneous interpretation.
Based on the results of the tender, a contract for the provision of services for a two-year period will be signed with the winners. The contract is not an employment contract. Payment of all taxes and social insurance is the responsibility of the contractor. Further work will be carried out in accordance with the request of EHRA, which will indicate the timing and other specific conditions.

What did 2021 bring us?

Posted on 2021-12-292022-03-02 by EHRA

Report of the campaign „Chase the virus not people!”

Guide “Help Impossible to Ignore”

Click on image and receive your holiday greetings!

NPS use in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Posted on 2021-09-132022-03-02 by EHRA

Throughout the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region, the use and variety of NPS are relevant issues, although the nature and extent differ among the EECA countries and subregions, with better awareness of their presence among health professionals and people who use drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones are predominant groups of NPS and widely available, whereas synthetic opioids seem to be more present in Estonia and Lithuania. Among people who use NPS, there are two key populations: those who have more experience with use of drugs, who have shifted to the use of NPS for a variety of reasons, and young people with no previous history of drug use. Drivers for use of NPS include the unavailability of drugs of choice, context-driven motives, as many NPS are not detected in blood and urine, and the aggressive marketing of NPS throughout the EECA region. NPS are marketed on social media channels, but also on public walls in many cities. A main risk of NPS is the absence of (chemical) analysis: that is, you do not know what you are actually consuming. Other health-related risks include mental health issues and increased risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) caused by unsafe use (mainly by injections), often combined with unsafe sex. So far, in the EECA region, no specific treatments are available for people with NPS dependency issues, as the focus has remained on traditional drugs, in particular opioid use. Similarly, harm reduction services are mostly not equipped to address the need of people who use NPS. In the EECA region, data-driven and science-based publications on NPS are almost non-existent.

Regional report on NPS use in EECA countries draws on a study conducted by the School of Law, Swansea University, in collaboration with the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA). Within the framework of this project, 8 country reports were drafted, targeting the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, and Serbia.

Support. Don’t Punish. 2021

Posted on 2021-08-112021-08-25 by Igor Gordon

26th June is well known as a global day of action, where activists around the world become part of the “Support. Don’t Punish” campaign, to remind governments to end the “war on drugs” and place health and human rights in the center of drug policy-making processes.

This year is no exception. Community of people who use drugs activists from Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan joined a global campaign that brought together 260 cities from 96 countries. Local actions were supported by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) and the Eurasian Network of People who Use Drugs (ENPUD).

Activists who are truly concerned about the current situation with health, dignity and freedom of people who use drugs in EECA region countries marched in their cities, organized flash mobs, shared their fact-based opinions through social networks and media to draw the attention of the general public and decision-makers to start changing harsh government policies towards people who use drugs.

Based on their own stories and experiences, activists showed how the state should express support for people in need. Volunteers bought and packed food boxes, personal hygiene kits, medicines and delivered it to those who need it most, who are treated in hospitals or at home and cannot move around on their own.

The worsening situation with COVID-19 affected the plans in some countries, but it didn’t stop delivering the main message of the campaign – the “war on drugs” is lost, repressions don’t work, it’s time to support, not punish!

ENPUD works to ensure that people don’t become dependent on drugs, and those who get sick stay alive, healthy and free. The living experience in a repressive drug policy environment has taught us a lot about what punishment means.

The value of this year's campaign is that it is open for everyone to participate meaningfully, from concept to its implementation.

Through this campaign, we desire to support community, to give hand of help to people whose lives are affected by economic crisis and by illness and despair, we want to create welcoming meeting and working spaces, we keen to find allies. This year we decided to support community allies and to award handmade diplomas "Friend of the Community" to two drug treatment doctors from Moldova.

Olga Belyaeva

ENPUD Program Coordinator

Belarus

In the framework of the campaign in Belarus, activists from the association “Your Chance” have provided (video) financial support to people who are in acute need of such help. Eight people from Minsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mazyr and Barysau who have difficulty moving due to severe leg diseases and cancer received funds to cover transport expenses to OST clinics. This money should be enough until August this year when the Ministry of Health promises to adopt regulations allowing home delivery of OST.

Georgia

Actions prepared by the association of organizations of people who use drugs “GeNPUD”, were aimed at changing the current repressive drug policy, which contradicts fundamental human rights and focuses on punishment. Actions were also aimed at changing the outdated rules in OST programs, where take-home OST prescription is not available. With the support of the Georgian Harm Reduction Network and Médecins du Monde, France-Georgia “GeNPUD” prepared a petition to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and on June 26 they came out to public protest in front of the Georgian State Chancellery in Tbilisi. Outside the capital city in Kutaisi, Ozurgeti and Batumi public protests were organized by “GeNPUD” member organizations – “Rubikon”, “Phoenix 2009” and “Imedi”. Media outlets were invited to the rallies and covered the campaign events.

Other conducted events included a meeting between representatives of “New Vector” and friendly MPs from the “Girchi” party, participation of “GeNPUD” representative in a conference organized by the Center for Mental Health and Drug Abuse Prevention, and release of a short video in which community talks about the problems caused by stigma and discrimination.

Kazakhstan

People who use drugs activists in Kazakhstan, from Karaganda, Temirtau, Taraz, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Almaty, Saran and Balkhash, prepared and published 14 short videos and 7 social media posts, drawing the attention of a wide audience of Internet users. The content included personal stories, interviews with health professionals and representatives of partner organizations, outreach workers, people who use drugs.

For the first time, we decided to roll out our campaign via Instagram reaching diverse audiences, those people who are far from thinking of drug policy issues or about what kind of support is needed. But these people left positive feedback that it's very right that we talk about important things, they thanked people who wrote posts and recorded videos, for courage, honesty, and fortitude.

Valentina Mankieva

Coordinator of the Campaign in Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Community activists from Association “Harm Reduction Network” prepared a short video in which people who have suffered from repressive drug policy in Kyrgyzstan and have lost years of their life in prison talk about what “support” means to them and why it is important.

As part of the campaign, volunteers on their own improved the grounds of the Social Hostel “Phoenix” – they built a shelter and assembled two tables and two benches from wooden pallets. The new space will allow organize meetings and trainings for up to 15 people.

Moldova

To draw public attention to the problem of people who use drugs in Moldova, including young people, community-led organization “PULS Comunitar”, organized an auto rally and street action in front of Balti City Hall. In meeting with drug treatment specialists, community representatives symbolically handed out diplomas “Friends of the Community” for 2 doctors, as a sign of gratitude for the friendly attitude and support to the community of people who use drugs in Moldova. During the meeting further joint actions to broaden possibilities for the community, to expand the geography of OST programs and to access buprenorphine in all OST sites were discussed. Provision of OST through family doctors, pharmacies, and commercial medical facilities was also discussed.

“PULS Comunitar” managed to establish effective communication with media, thus events were widely covered in local internet sources and social media, and the total coverage reached 8000 people.

Russia

The activities in Russia have primarily involved direct and practical aid to those in difficulty.

In Ekaterinburg, food packages were provided to six people who use drugs livingwith HIV and tuberculosis, who were being treated in a tuberculosis hospital, a woman living with HIV who was in an oncological dispensary with inoperable cancer, and a man who needed help after treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

In Perm, a sanitation service was paid to kill cockroaches and bedbugs in the living place to prevent the mother from losing her parental rights due to poor sanitary living conditions of her small child. Another young mother with an infant and no income was paid for visits to child therapist.

I was threatened that they [a child protection service] would take my child away for unsanitary conditions, but no one ever helped me to kill the cockroaches and put things in order. Thank you to everyone who provides this support, who actually helps people like me. Support, but not punishment, this is what gave me the desire and faith to go on living!

Feedback from a client from Perm

In Togliatti, the organization, recognized as a foreign agent, has no funding, but continues to help clients by providing harm reduction services. Ointments, bandages, disinfectant wipes, antiseptics, soap supplies and diapers for the bed-ridden patients were purchased to continue the work of this organization. During the summer, handouts will be distributed to the city’s most needy people who use drugs.

Tajikistan

In the framework of the campaign, the NGO “SPIN Plus” organized a meeting with activists from the community of people who use drugs from Dushanbe, Gissar, Tursunzade, Rudaki and Vahdat, and staff from the Drug Control Agency and personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan. The purpose of the meeting was to establish relationships with police officers to protect the rights and interests of the community of people who use drugs. The meeting noted the important role of the community of people who use drugs in providing harm reduction services and in preventing drug use among young people. Participants agreed to meet regularly and work together to implement the President’s Strategy on Prevention and Modern Approaches to Treatment of Drug Dependence.

Other activities included the development of community centre “DROPIN” and conducting training on harm reduction basics for personnel of AIDS Control and Prevention Centre, municipal drug treatment centre, and health centres.

Uzbekistan

On 26th June, a mobilization meeting of two community initiative groups – women who use drugs and Global Fund outreach workers was organized in Tashkent. Participants have shared their personal life stories, as almost everyone had suffered from the repressive drug policy.

Unfortunately, many of those invited to the meeting were not able to attend it due to stricter COVID-19 related quarantine measures and travel restrictions in Uzbekistan. Thus one of the “hot” topics of the meeting was compliance with protective measures in the face of the pandemic.

Online course: “Sustainability and Survival: Resilience for civil society organisations working with key populations in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia”

Posted on 2021-05-142021-05-14 by EHRA

EHRA invites you to apply for the online course: “Sustainability and Survival: Resilience for civil society organisations working with key populations in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia”.

This collaborative and interactive skills development course is specifically designed for non-profit, civil society and community-based organizations from countries of the CECCA region, that advocate and/or provide direct services for key populations. The course will help you, as a CSO or CBO working with key populations, to acquire skills and confidence for organisational resilience and a more diversified and sustainable funding model. By the end of this course, we expect you to be better equipped the challenges of the current and future evolving funding environment.

Specifically we will be supporting you in:

Strengthening the effectiveness and resilience of your organisation;
Development of the strategy and plan for sustainability and piloting specific income generation approaches;
Ensureing that your income generation streams and targets are aligned with organisational strategy, and respond to the current funding environment that you are facing;
Compareing the characteristics of a range of new income sources and analysing their potential fit for your organisation (e.g. crowdfunding, social enterprise, membership models, social contracting);
Facilitation of creative approaches to income generation with your colleagues.

The course offers the chance to join three 3-hour live and interactive online training workshops which will take place on June 1, 4 and 9, to view a series of webinars in your own time, and to undertake exercises to embed the learning between events. You will also have a mentor, who will be able to support you to practice and implement the learning, through a project of your choosing. Certificates will be issued to those that complete the course.

The course will be delivered in English and Russian language.

Authors of the course: Anya Sarang, Dermott McDonald, Rachel Haynes, and Victoria Ireland.

Trainers of the course: Masha Plotko (EHRA) and Rachel Haynes

Сourse materials could be found HERE.

Who can apply? The programme is open to officially registered civil society / community-based organizations working with or for key communities (people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, LGBTQI+, sex workers) or people living with HIV, operating in one of 29 CEECA countries.

Participants must be employees of these organisations, that have been involved in one or more income generation activities of the organization. You must be able to commit to the course in June and must be able to speak and write in Russian or English.

If you would like to participate, please complete this online survey by May 28. We will be letting you know if you have a place by May 31, 2021.

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the course is free. The number of seats is limited to 10 organizations, 2 people from each organization (program and financial). The selection of participants will be on competitive bases, based on the quality of completed applications. Filling out the online survey does not guarantee participation in the course. We will inform you about enrolment in the group by May 31, 2021.

The course is delivered in the framework of the Eurasian Regional Consortium project “Thinking outside the box: overcoming challenges in community advocacy for sustainable and high-quality HIV services”, funded by the Robert Carr Fund for civil society networks.

Extended: Terms of Reference for the EECA Regional Platform sub-regional Focal Points to help generating the CRG Technical Assistance Requests

Posted on 2021-03-292021-04-12 by EHRA

Background

Since 2017 Eurasian Harm Reduction Association is being the host of the EECA regional Platform for Communication and Coordination. One of the EHRA responsibilities in its role as EECA Regional Platform is to promote the Global Fund’s Community, Rights and Gender (CRG) Technical Assistance Technical Assistance Program among civil society and communities’ representatives involved into the Global Fund related processes in EECA countries.

To better motivate and support CSOs and CBOs in the region to use the Technical Assistance (TA) available within this Program in 2021, EHRA is planning to sub-contract 4 experts to serve as the sub-regional EECA Regional Platform Focal Points aimed on generating the demand for the Global Fund’s CRG TA.

EHRA is looking for the experts to serve as the EECA Regional Platform Focal Points in the following 2 sub-regions: Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), and second block – Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine.

Key tasks to be conducted by the consultants

Each expert selected to become the EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Point is expected to assist the civil society and communities’ representatives in relevant sub-regions in development and submission of at least 3 successful requests for the CRG TA per sub-region in 2021 (1 per quarter on average).

The CRG TA Request to be considered as successful if it is approved by the Global Fund’s CRG Department for TA provision.

In particular, the EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Points are expected to:

Initiate a dialogue with the civil society and communities’ representatives involved into the Global Fund related processes in each county of the selected sub-region about the opportunities available within the CRG TA Program.
Provide the civil society and communities’ representatives with all relevant information about the Global Fund CRG TA Program if needed.
Help the civil society and communities’ representatives to identify their needs for such TA, including identification of the potential problems which may need to be addressed, formulation of the objectives of such CRG TA in the context of the identified problems, as well as identification of the activities needed to be implemented as a part of the TA to address the identified problems and reach the set objectives.
Help to ensure the coordination of the content of the TA Requests among the key national civil society stakeholders, CCM and Fund Portfolio Manager before its submission.
Review the content of the draft TA Requests before the submission, help with its finalization if needed.
Help to follow up with the GF CRG Department on the results of the TA Request consideration.

Online training on the key aspects of the CRG TA Program will be provided for the selected consultants by EHRA at the beginning of March.

Also, the EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Points will be expected to do the mapping of the civil society and community-based organizations being the principal, sub and sub-sub-recipients of the Global Fund HIV and TB grants in all countries of the relevant sub-regions, where the Global Fund programs are implemented. The template Excel form for such mapping will be provided by EHRA.

Deliverables and Time frame

3 CRG TA Requests per each sub-region being developed, submitted with the support of the EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Point and approved for the TA provision by the Global Fund CRG Department in 2021.

Mapping of principal, sub and sub-sub-recipients of the Global Fund HIV and TB grants in the countries of relevant sub-regions conducted.

Cost of services and payment order

Payments will be done for each successful CRG TA request being generated with support of the EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Point – 700 USD per TA request (not more than 3 requests per sub-region altogether in 2021). Of this amount 350 USD will be paid after the fact of the submission of the TA request is confirmed, and other 350 USD will be paid after the request is accepted and approved for TA provision by Global Fund CRG Department. In case the TA request is rejected by Global Fund CRG Department – the second half of the 700 USD will not be paid to the Focal Point.

Also, 300 USD to be paid after the submission of the result of mapping of CSOs and CBOs – PRs, SRs and SSRs of the Global Fund grants in all countries of the relevant sub-region, where the Global Fund programs are implemented.

Payment should be executed for the completed services after receiving invoice and act of service rendered.

The total contract cost for the work of one consultant under this ToR in 2021 should not exceed 2 400 USD (including all taxes).

Evaluation Criteria

An evaluation panel will assess the extent to which proposals submitted in response to this announcement meet the evaluation criteria below.

The minimum technical score is 90. Only candidates with a minimum score of 90 points out of a maximum of 100 are considered eligible for the assignment. Consultants with proven work experience in the community organization would be given a priority.

The candidates with the highest technical score that meets the requirement will be invited for negotiation of the agreement.

Criteria	Weighting
Good understanding of the Global Fund CRG TA Program (should be clear from LoI)	25 points
Knowledge of, and access to the relevant civil society stakeholders involved into the Global Fund related processes in the countries of the particular sub-region as well as established contacts with the GF Secretariat (regional team and CRG Department in particular) (should be clear from LoI)	25 points
Experience of undertaking similar TA related assessments or other relevant work experience (should be clear from CV and LoI)	25 points
Proven set of communication and writing skills (should be clear from LoI)	25 points
Total	100 points

Additionally, the consultants should have:

No conflict of interest (should be declared in the Letter of Interest);
Fluent English and a language most relevant for the sub-region the expert is interested to work with.

How to apply

The individual consultants are invited to submit their CV and the Letter of Interest (LoI) by e-mail referenced under the title “EECA Platform CRG TA Focal Point for [name of the sub-region you are interested to work with]” to ivan@harmreductioneurasia.org by COB 21 April 2021 24:00 EET.

New words in 2020

Posted on 2020-12-232020-12-28 by Igor Gordon

Looking back over the past year, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association has found that several words have become solidly integrated into everyday use.

We have learnt a lot this year and we have a lot to look forward to in the New Year, 2021. You can call us eternal optimists, but we believe that we will make it through the difficulties, safe and strong! May we all have a strong spirit and new achievements!

This year we really want to greet everyone personally and wish something unique and unusual. We have hidden our wishes in a gift, and it takes only one click to receive it!

In progress: Drug consumption rooms in Croatia

Posted on 2020-12-182020-12-18 by Igor Gordon

FLIGHT

Life Quality Improvement Organization “FLIGHT” or just “FLIGHT” (in Croatian: LET) was registered in early 2003 and has been implementing needle exchange programs since its beginning. Besides direct work with people who use drugs, FLIGHT was always focused on promoting the effectiveness of harm reduction programs, conducting research, developing publications, working at EU level at number of networks, including the EU Civil society Forum. FLIGHT is the only organization providing programs for sex workers, twice per week at night hours in the center of Zagreb.

Organization has 4 staff members, including two social workers and two outreach workers, and has been implementing so called mobile outreach (with two vehicles) and has established 22 sites where users can come and exchange their used needles and syringes with the new ones, as well as ZAGREB ZOVI- where we deliver syringes to the users that live outside of those 22 sites.

Could you please share, why you decided to focus on drug consumption rooms as harm reduction service in Croatia?

Drug consumption rooms were included as a possibility or one of the measures in the National guidelines on harm reduction. So, we thought that now was a great moment to work and develop more detailed information on it, because governmental bodies are planning a review of the guidelines. And it would be great if drug consumption rooms are better explained in the guidelines.

During the project, you conducted a needs assessment among PWUD in Croatia. Could you please share the main results from this assessment? How people are reacting to the suggestion to start opening DCRs in Croatia?

We collected responses from 120 people who use drugs from 5 cities. Most of them are in favour of safe injecting rooms. During needs assessment, 80% of them answered that DCRs are needed. What is more, they would like additional services to be provided in DCRs, such as: opportunity to get a coffee or soup. Also, it would be useful to have an access to psychosocial counselling. The only issue, that might occur with opening the site is the local neighbourhood and its residents, who wouldn’t be happy about DCR.

Another activity which was implemented by you – development of the policy paper on safe consumption rooms. Could you please share what this policy paper includes and for whom it’s developed?

This policy paper provides answers if DCRs should be opened in Croatia and what are the main obstacles. It includes a theoretical basis about injection rooms, data on injection rooms in Europe, analysis of legislation, and recommendations for further work. It will be used for the development of new Guidelines on harm reduction in Croatia. The policy paper will be presented to representatives of national and local authorities to raise the issue of DCRs opening.

Are there any legal barriers to open DCRs in Croatia? If yes, could you briefly share what they are, and are there any possibilities to overcome it.

According to the existing criminal legislation in the Republic of Croatia, it is not possible to implement a harm reduction program that includes the establishment and operation of drug injection. Criminal Code, Article 191 criminalizes venues that enable consumers to use drugs. We were working together with a lawyer in producing the analysis and came to conclusion that there are two options: 1) an Ireland model- they made a lex specialis on DCR in 2017 or 2) change the Criminal code (Article No. 191)- where the questionable issue in providing the venue for injecting is raised. In that specific article all types of assisting in injecting drugs are mentioned and some would argue that even existing needle and exchange programs are illegal, there has been a national consensus since 1996 that giving new equipment to users wouldn’t be seen as assisting in drug use. There are adjusting national documents such as strategy on drug abuse and HIV prevention that mention harm reduction in a positive manner. But the issue of “venue” remains problematic.

What do you think should be the next steps in starting/ promoting safe consumption rooms in Croatia? And what should be civil society’s role in all this?

We need to continue to lobby and raise awareness on the positive aspects of the DCRs. NGOs that implement harm reduction programs are very important in raising awareness and educating other stakeholders.

We have updated the website www.smanjenje-stete.com as well as our main website www.udruga-let.hr and will continue to promote the need for DCRs. Policy paper and leaflets will be available for raising awareness and I will be speaking at the national conference and presenting the work we have done with support from the Robert Carr Foundation and EHRA.

We have now access to international documents provided by our international speaker at the conference and desk review we did.As each developmental project it might take time to open a DCR but at least we have a good starting point:

Users are eager and would like this kind of service
Analysis was provided and will be included in the National guidelines on harm reduction
Capacities of FLIGHT and BENEFIT organizations have been developed and
We are talking and promoting harm reduction and its efficiency.