Three Eurasian networks – EHRA, ECOM and EWNA united by the Eurasian Regional Consortium, met in Vilnius to discuss innovative approaches that will be used in the next three years in advocacy towards increased domestic investments in HIV services for key populations in EECA.
The activities will be aimed at strengthening the advocacy, expert and technical capacities of the regional networks themselves, as well as national and local community-led organizations of people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, trans people and people living with HIV.
It has been decided to focus Consortium’s advocacy efforts to increase national investment in HIV programs for key populations in 16 countries of EECA: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Northern Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
“Within 3 years, the consortium plans to conduct 5 regional trainings and disburse at least 18 community sub-grants on a competitive basis. We do believe that this activity will become, a long-term and effective tool in the implementation of our tasks. As well as it will contribute to the maximum involvement of the civil society in our region,” – says Igor Gordon, Program Team Lead, EHRA.
2019 activities:
- Learning Cycle on Organizational Sustainability, in which effective innovative fundraising practices will be described and disseminated, scholarships for study visits will be provided, coaching and technical support will be provided for representatives of community organizations (EHRA).
- 2 Learning Cycles: (1) Community-led Monitoring of Quality of Services (EHRA); (2) Building Broader Coalitions and Partnerships for Budget Advocacy (ECOM). Within the Learning Cycles, expert groups will be created, regional trainings will be conducted. For the practical application of knowledge and skills obtained at the trainings, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a grant and subsequent mentoring support and technical assistance.
- Delivery of the Campaign “Chase the virus, not people!” to national level.
- Annual Feminist school for women living with HIV and women from key populations (EWNA).
- Women-led Regional campaign “No Excuse for Violence!” (EWNA)
The Eurasian Regional Consortium in 2019-2021 funded by the Robert Carr Fund.