Deadline: 7-Nov-23
The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and its partners Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) and El Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN), have received a Global Fund grant which will bring together organizations with complementary mandates, technical expertise and constituencies in a harmonized approach to leverage and support the effort of communities, civil society actors governments and technical partners in advancing the regional HIV response.
This project provides a unique opportunity to institutionalize partnerships between civil society and governments to achieve and sustain effective programs that meet the needs of key populations (KPs) and diminish the HIV epidemic.
Purpose
- To provide support for safe spaces for Key Population Communities to access HIV testing with a focus on self-testing, psychosocial, and other services.
Objectives
- The project seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- To reduce structural barriers to key population services including stigma & discrimination and gender-based violence;
- To improve knowledge generation and use of strategic information on key populations for decision-making and advocacy by communities and other stakeholders;
- To increase domestic resources for effective key population programming; and
- To mobilize resources for key population organizations.
Priority Areas
- This funding can be used to support diverse activities including but not limited to:
- HIV testing, linkage to appropriate HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, and other clinical and support services
- Psychosocial and Support Services for Key populations
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Education
- Advocacy activities to reduce stigma, discrimination, and human rights violation against Key Populations.
- Community-based activities to provide vocational and life skills.
Funding Information
- Each organization may apply for an award of maximum US$5,000 to support project-related costs for up to five (5) months. Allocations for salaries, stipends, incentives and overheads should not exceed 40% of the total budget for the grant.
Safe Space Programme Philosophy and Practice
- The model safe spaces should seek to create a “KP-friendly” physical or virtual environment, or a combination of both, for KP members in alignment with features that have been identified to likely promote a successful safe space in KP community programs including:
- Physical and psychological safety (e.g. Mental and physical safety from harassment, bullying, and violence);
- Sexuality and sexual health promotion (e.g. facilitated access to SRH services); Clear and consistent structure and appropriate supervision (e.g. guidelines for managing emotional, physical, or professional boundaries between peers, and staff/volunteers;
- Supportive relationships (e.g. good communication and counseling);
- Opportunities to belong (e.g. opportunities for meaningful inclusion regardless of a person’s gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc., opportunities for sociocultural identity formation, etc.);
- Positive social norms (e.g. group behaviour rules such as respect for others, constructive feedback, inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, recognition of ethnicity, and non-judgmental);
- Opportunities for skill building (e.g. opportunities for physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional, and social skills building;
- Ethical practice (e.g. approach that supports autonomy and increases empowerment);
- Anonymity (e.g. no requirement to disclose personal data, measures to ensure confidentiality); and
- Behaviour management processes (e.g. expectations of behavior are communicated and reinforced).
Eligibility Criteria
- Civil Society Organizations serving key populations that are based in Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad.
For more information, visit CVC.
