Positive Action Funding for Community-Based HIV Interventions

Positive Action is offering momentum grants of up to £300,000 over three years to support community-led organisations working to eliminate AIDS and improve outcomes for children, adolescents, and families affected by HIV. The funding focuses on scaling proven, community-based paediatric and adolescent HIV interventions in selected African countries, with applications open from 27 January to 17 February 2026.

Overview

Positive Action has launched a new funding round to support community-based and community-led organisations committed to eliminating AIDS and improving health outcomes for people living with HIV.

This opportunity places a strong emphasis on paediatric and adolescent HIV, prioritising locally driven, evidence-informed interventions that have already demonstrated impact. The funding is intended to strengthen and scale existing initiatives rather than support experimental or untested approaches.

Core Focus of the Funding

The funding opportunity supports programmes that address critical gaps in paediatric and adolescent HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

Key focus areas include:

• Scaling up community-based, evidence-informed HIV interventions

• Increasing HIV testing coverage among children and adolescents

• Improving linkage to care and viral suppression rates

• Supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women and caregivers

• Strengthening community-owned and locally led programmes

• Advancing localisation, equitable partnerships, and shared decision-making

• Promoting culturally relevant and sustainable responses aligned with decolonisation principles

What Makes This a Momentum Grant?

This funding round is designed as a momentum grant, meaning it supports:

• Expansion of interventions that are already working

• Replication of proven community-led models in new or underserved areas

• Strengthening existing delivery systems rather than piloting new concepts

Projects must clearly demonstrate prior effectiveness and show how additional funding will deepen or broaden impact within affected communities.

Funding Amount and Duration

• Total funding available: Up to £300,000 per organisation

• Duration: Up to three years

• Maximum per year: £100,000

• Funding type: Multi-year programme support

Application Timeline

• Application opens: 27 January 2026

• Application closes: 17 February 2026

Late submissions are not expected to be considered.

Priority Populations

Funded projects should focus on populations most affected by paediatric and adolescent HIV, including:

• Children aged 0–14 years

• Adolescents aged 10–19 years

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women

• Caregivers and family members

Projects should demonstrate how services will reach these groups and contribute to improved long-term health outcomes.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Organisations

Applicants must be:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or community-based organisations (CBOs)

• Operating in one or more of the following countries:

  • Angola

  • Cameroon

  • Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Mozambique

  • Tanzania

Priority is given to locally led organisations that are embedded in the communities they serve.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Collaboration is encouraged where it strengthens local ownership and leadership

• Partnerships should support community decision-making, not shift control away from local actors

• Proposals must clearly explain how partnerships advance localisation and equity

What Types of Projects Are Expected?

Projects should:

• Build directly on existing programmes or interventions

• Address clearly identified gaps in paediatric or adolescent HIV services

• Demonstrate alignment with community needs and priorities

• Show measurable outcomes related to testing, treatment, retention, or viral suppression

How to Apply: What to Do

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation operates in an eligible country and is community-based or locally led.

Step 2: Identify an Existing Intervention to Scale

Select a programme that has already shown positive results and explain:

• What has worked so far

• Who it has reached

• Why scaling or replication is needed

Step 3: Design a Three-Year Expansion Plan

Outline:

• Activities to be expanded or replicated

• Target populations and geographic coverage

• Expected outcomes over three years

• How the programme strengthens community ownership

Step 4: Prepare and Submit the Application

Submit your complete application during the open window from 27 January to 17 February 2026.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing entirely new or untested interventions

• Weak evidence of prior programme effectiveness

• Limited focus on children, adolescents, or caregivers

• Partnerships that undermine local leadership

• Vague explanations of how localisation principles will be applied

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can new pilot projects be funded under this opportunity?

No. This funding is intended to scale or replicate interventions that have already demonstrated effectiveness.

2. Is this funding only for paediatric HIV?

The primary focus is paediatric and adolescent HIV, including linked support for pregnant and breastfeeding women and caregivers.

3. Can international NGOs apply?

The opportunity prioritises locally led organisations. International NGOs may be involved only where partnerships clearly support local leadership and decision-making.

4. What is the maximum annual budget allowed?

The maximum is £100,000 per year, for up to three years.

5. Are partnerships required?

Partnerships are not mandatory, but collaboration is encouraged when it strengthens community ownership and programme impact.

6. Which countries are eligible?

Eligible countries are Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

7. What outcomes should projects demonstrate?

Projects should show improvements in testing coverage, linkage to care, treatment retention, or viral suppression among priority populations.

Why This Funding Matters

Paediatric and adolescent HIV remain under-addressed in many high-burden settings. By investing in community-led, proven interventions, Positive Action aims to close persistent service gaps while promoting localisation, equity, and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

This Positive Action funding opportunity offers substantial, multi-year support for community-based organisations ready to scale effective paediatric and adolescent HIV interventions. For locally led organisations in eligible countries, this is a strategic opportunity to deepen impact, strengthen community ownership, and accelerate progress toward eliminating AIDS.