A US-government backed grants programme called Community REACH (Rapid and Effective Action Combating HIV/AIDS) was launched on 7 January with a Request For Applications to support work on HIV and AIDS in selected countries and regions around the world. The definitive list of eligible countries was not, however, released until 14 January; this report has been updated to reflect that list.
This is the start of an initial five-year, 40 million US dollar programme funded by the US government and administered by the organisation Pact, in partnership with the Futures Group International, which may be extended and expanded later. The aim is to speed up funding and make it more flexible to give better support to communities responding to HIV/AIDS.
To distribute funds, Pact will issue approximately two to three solicitations for proposals a year. Grants will be awarded in amounts starting at $100,000 for periods of up to three years, depending on fund availability, with unlimited potential for cost sharing (see below) from other sources.
The first round of grants will be restricted to countries and regions categorised by USAID as “Rapid Scale Up” or “Intensive Focus”, based on the scale of their HIV epidemic and their ability to make use of international resources in responding to it.
These countries are now (from 14 January 2002): Brazil, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
A longer list of countries is in line to benefit from future rounds (subject to negotiation and discussion between USAID and Pact).
US and other international "Private and Voluntary Organisations" (PVOs) can apply for these grants, but must have either a current presence in the country for which they are applying to conduct a project or partner with a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) in that country. Regional and local NGOs, universities, and faith-based organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS activities that meet USAID's criteria are also eligible. All applications must also be supported by the relevant USAID mission in the country or region.
There is an expectation that organisations will raise some part of the cost of the programme from other sources ("cost share"). "Community REACH expects applications of $100,000 to $300,000 to include a minimum cost-share of 10%. Applications above $300,000 should include a minimum cost-share of 25%."
Grants can be awarded in all areas of activity that USAID supports, broadly divided into three categories:
- Primary HIV/AIDS prevention strategies including behavior change communication, condom promotion and availability, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, blood safety, harm reduction for intravenous drug users and stigma reduction.
- Voluntary counseling and testing focusing on provision of high quality services, introduction of rapid testing and training of health personnel.
- Care and support for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS (see below for more details; this is the focus of the first grants round).
Grants will be directed to those activities that have a direct impact on these areas. Funded activities will be consistent with USAID's goals of "increased use of improved, effective and sustainable responses to reduce HIV transmission and to mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic."
For the current round of funding, the focus is on care and support. This means:
- Referrals for prophylaxis, treatment of opportunistic infection, and palliative care
- Referrals for out of hospital to competent, home-based care and ambulatory care
- Care for orphans and vulnerable children
- Food and nutrition component for HIV/AIDS infected/affected.
Applications for the first round will be accepted until 8 March 2002. For additional information, contact the Community REACH team at reachgrants@pacthq.org. Information will also be available at USAID Missions, Pact and the Futures Group International field offices (as well as through the web links given at the beginning of this article).