The role of local NGOs in combating HIV/AIDS - The AIDS Action and Integration project

Led by the French NGO AIDES, an EPHA member, the project is implemented through exchanges of best practices and experiences. Since 2001, CEE-based NGOs, as well as European Organisations (ie AIDS Action Europe, CEE-HRN and the European AIDS Treatment Group EATG) organise thematic seminars and workshops to keep NGOs informed and define common action plans; as well as country missions to monitor best practices. They have also developed an inter-country internship programme to enable health managers from CEE to learn by being involved in other European based projects.

As an example, the latest workshop was organised in Vilnius and focused on Hepatitis C and drug use in an enlarged EU and neighbouring countries. The previous seminar, organised in Paris, focused on fostering a gender-based approach to HIV/AIDS. They identified 3 advovacy priorities:

 Long-term support for community-based NGOs;

 Research, most notably on the specific impact of HIV treatments on women and reproductive health, the use of microbicides, and the specific needs of female drug-users;

 Streamlined high-quality health services for women across Europe - The seminar concluded that women should have access to essential health services that take into account their specificity, namely medical, psychological and gyjnaecological care.

Seminar in Latvia

DIA+LOGS, support centre for those affected by HIV/AIDS organised a European seminar "Facing management challenges for HIV/AIDS prevention and support NGOs in new and future EU member states in Riga, Latvia on 21-22 April 2006.

The main objective of the seminar is to promote (assist) new member states HIV/AIDS NGOs development through effective management skills, bring together Western, Eastern and Central European experiences and share practices. The seminar is oriented to provide deeper theoretical knowledge on basic management issues, as well as learn about the best European practices in successful NGO development and discuss actual challenges for sustainable long-term performance of new member states’ organizations in enlarged EU.

The topic is challenging as many Central and Easter European NGOs are faced rather critical situation due to different development problems and situation - new members of enlarged European Union.

 EPHA section on communicable diseases