amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research has launched a new grant opportunity through its TARGETED Request for Proposals under the GMT Initiative Community Awards for innovative projects that focus on advocacy and policy efforts and/or structural interventions to promote systems change to address HIV/AIDS among gay men, other men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals (GMT) in Africa. This opportunity has been made possible due to the support received from AIDS Fonds of the Netherlands and the Ford Foundation.
Each organization may apply for an award of up to $20,000 USD to support project-related costs for up to 12 months. Only one application may be submitted per organization. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered.
Approximately 200,000 USD is available in Africa; amfAR anticipates funding from ten to eleven proposals. Funding recommendations will be announced in December 2012. Organizations that are approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as March 2013.
Projects that focus on systems change –:
1. Advocacy and Policy Efforts: engaging key decision makers at the local and national level, as well as international donors, to create and implement policies and programs that increase support for a comprehensive response to HIV among GMT. A comprehensive response recognizes that responding to HIV among GMT is broader than the healthcare sector. Thus, health policy is vital; however, policies and funding in other sectors including human rights, law, civil protection, and education are needed. Project activities may include policy maker and donor education, civil society participation in local and national decision making bodies, media advocacy to increase public support, investment tracking and analysis, among others.
2. Structural Interventions: modifying the social, economic, and political structures and systems in which GMT live. Rather than attempting to change individual behaviors, structural interventions aim to change environments. These interventions may affect technology, legislation, media, healthcare, and the marketplace. Structural interventions may also help reduce HIV vulnerabilities by altering the physical environments in which people live, work, play, or take risks. Examples include challenging local or national policies that discriminate against GMT, engaging health and/or social service professional in GMT sensitization programs, and media campaigns in the general public to reduce homophobia.
The GMT Initiative will provide support for organizational development activities if they are directly related to the project and linked to longer-term goals related to HIV among GMT. In addition, amfAR provides successful applicants with technical and capacity-building assistance, which may include organizational development activities if needed.
The deadline to submit proposals is October 18, 2012. For more information, visit this link.
