The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

General Objective: To expand and enhance, in a sustainable and qualitative manner, the accessibility and availability of HIV/AIDS related intervention products and services at the community level.

Specific Objectives:

(1) To promote increased use of HIV/AIDS related intervention services among target communities;

(2) To enhance the organizational and financial sustainability of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs);

(3) To create a conducive environment for the effective and sustainable provision of HIV/AIDS related intervention products and services at the community level.

The Global Fund has started supporting the development, role and responsibilities of civil society organisations in responding to the HIV / AIDS epidemic in Vietnam since 2010, including the main participating partners: VUSTA – The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations is responsible for managing the project component and 3 affiliated civil society organizations that coordinate the activities of 99 community-based organizations.

In particular, LIFE Center is the unit that coordinates 30 community organizations in the South and South Central region, including 5 provinces and cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Khanh Hoa. Prior to the funding phase of the project, the role of civil society and community organizations was not clear; In the period of 2010-2017, the contributions of civil society organizations – community organizations are increasingly evident, and is one of the outstanding features of the AIDS program under the main sponsorship of the Global Fund.

The project is sponsored by PATH through USAID from the PEPFAR fund. Key activities and achieved results: Successful and effective implementation of pilot models for community-based HIV testing, self-testing, PrEP & PEP, and counseling for partner/spousal testing and acute HIV infection. Key activities and achieved results include the successful and effective implementation of pilot models for community-based HIV testing, self-testing, PrEP, counseling for partner/spousal testing, and acute HIV infection

The LIFE Center has led community organizations in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai in implementing the project: ‘Enhancing the Participation of Community Organizations in the Southern Region’. The project receives direct funding from the US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This is one of the US government’s efforts to support Vietnam in strengthening resources to achieve the country’s strategic 90-90-90 targets and the United Nations’ strategy to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030. Additionally, in the context of the financial resource transition of AIDS programs in Vietnam – from foreign aid to national self-financing, the project also concurrently implements strategies to enhance organizational development capacity and policy advocacy for community organizations participating in the project.

Sponsored by The Global Fund and executed in collaboration with VUSTA, this initiative focuses on enhancing the capacity of 31 community-based organizations in five pivotal provinces: Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, and Khanh Hoa. The core objective is to provide holistic HIV prevention, care, and support services, especially targeting drug users, female sex workers, and men who engage in same-sex relationships. Significant achievements of this project include extensive HIV testing across these communities, identifying numerous HIV positive cases, and ensuring their complete integration into effective treatment programs. Furthermore, the project has made substantial contributions by distributing essential preventive materials such as condoms, lubricants, and syringes to high-risk groups, thereby bolstering healthcare and preventive measures against HIV/AIDS

The project is graciously supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, focusing on empowering the transgender community. Its major achievements include the formation of a “Transgender Advisory Group,” a pioneering effort to gather insights and feedback directly from the transgender community, ensuring that their voices guide the project’s discussions and communications strategies. Additionally, the project launched a series of engaging live stream programs, specifically designed to comprehensively address the diverse issues faced by transgender individuals. A highlight of the project is the “Century Angels” series, a dynamic platform aimed at identifying and showcasing the talents of transgender individuals. This initiative serves as a beacon, spreading empowering and positive messages throughout the transgender community and the broader society.

Spearheaded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, this transformative project has achieved remarkable milestones. Central to its efforts is an innovative communication campaign, dedicated to elevating the image, self-respect, and rights of transgender women. A pivotal achievement of this campaign involved gathering over 300 signatures and photographs of transgender women in Ho Chi Minh City, creating a compelling social media presence that resonates with and celebrates their identity. These 300+ images, embodying the dignity and rights of TGW, have become a powerful symbol of awareness and acceptance.

The project further distinguished itself by conducting 10 comprehensive training sessions. These sessions, attended by 125 TGW and 130 healthcare professionals, delved into critical areas such as reproductive and sexual rights, gender identity exploration, challenging gender inequality, understanding transgender identity, and advocating for the de-pathologization of transgenderism.

A groundbreaking achievement of the initiative is the development and refinement of a TGW-specific Code of Conduct. This carefully crafted guideline has been distributed to hospitals, serving as a crucial resource for enhancing understanding and fostering respectful, inclusive healthcare environments for transgender women.

This visionary project launched a rapid response team, meticulously trained in the expert utilization of the IMonitor software. It spearheaded a dynamic series of promotional activities to amplify the awareness and usage of the software. Within just a year of its deployment, the impact has been profound: 834 individuals have embraced the technology by downloading the software, 151 users have actively engaged with it to provide vital feedback on HIV services and to signal their need for support. Remarkably, 97 individuals received timely interventions and solutions, effectively linked to healthcare services across Ho Chi Minh City through this innovative digital platform.

Funded by USAID through the PEPFAR fund, the C-LINK project represents a groundbreaking initiative. Key activities and achievements include offering technical support and capacity building for community-based organizations, led by peers, enabling them to provide counseling, testing, and care services to a significant population. The project successfully reached out to and supported 8,000 individuals, including drug injectors, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men, along with 2,000 people living with HIV. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and peer-led intervention in transforming the landscape of health services and support for at-risk and affected populations in the Southern regions.

Sponsored by USAID from the PEPFAR fund, the Pathways for Participation Project is a pioneering effort in the realm of HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Its main achievements lie in enhancing the capabilities and empowering civil society organizations to effect sustainable and meaningful impacts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This project has been instrumental in developing civil society organizations, enhancing leadership skills, and honing abilities in monitoring, evaluation, and policy advocacy. This initiative represents a significant stride in building a more resilient and proactive community response to the HIV/AIDS crisis

Funded by The Global Fund, this project under VUSTA has made significant strides in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Key activities and results include supporting the establishment and development of 23 community-based organizations (CBOs) focusing on HIV prevention in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. The project has been pivotal in enhancing the capacity of the community system and developing a referral system from the community to healthcare facilities. It has reached over 33,000 high-risk individuals, including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), injecting drug users (IDU), and primary partners of IDU and people living with HIV (PSP), directing nearly 12,000 for testing. Additionally, the project provided community-based care and support for 868 people living with HIV, including adults and children. Moreover, it offered nutritional, economic, educational support, life skills training, and legal and psychological counseling to 1,234 affected children (OVC). The project also facilitated livelihood support for 34 households of people living with HIV, helping develop small business and farming models.