1. Reinforcing the Association “Vivre Positif” and expanding membership across the
       community.           

Despite notable progress made by the support group, participation remains largely limited to PLHIV within the area of Beirut. Efforts have been made to involve PLHIV from other regions and a considerable number, including women, have expressed interest to participate. In this light, the support group, in collaboration with NGOs, has envisaged to initiate support groups in two other regions.    Therefore, the following activities will be conducted:

* Establishment of support groups in two priority regions of Lebanon, namely: Bekaa and the South, in collaboration with partner NGOs in the two regions.

* Training of two key facilitators to moderate and animate discussions in the support groups established.

* Support to hold regular meeting of support groups. This will encompass meetings of existing support groups, expanding membership to those affected and families. Social activities will be conducted to increase the links and solidarity of those infected and affected.

* Meetings with National AIDS Program Manager, physicians, NGOs, social workers and other partners to build consensus and strengthen collaboration between service providers (treatment and VCT) and the Association. Strengthening the links with the service providers will aim to increase referral to the Association and immediate counseling and support to those in need. Many people living with HIV have expressed the feeling of loneliness and isolation when tested positive, not being aware of the Association and not having access to services.

* As in other countries, including in Algeria, income-generating activities have proven essential to provide social and economic support to people living with HIV and their families.

 

A feasibility study will be undertaken to identify the different options to initiate income-generating activities for and by the Association. The members of the Association contemplated several options, such as a bookstore and library adjacent to existing cafés, handicrafts or other product productions that can be made available in the market. However, there is need to analyze the different options and most rentable projects, while taking into consideration the stigma and discrimination context.  

   

    2. Strengthen advocacy efforts on needs and rights of PLHIV.

Public expressions of commitment in support of PLHIV have been conveyed at several occasions and have been groundbreaking, with a tangible impact on reducing stigma and discrimination.   Follow up and similar partnerships need to be reinforced, reaching community level and involving community and religious leaders as well as other partners. Hence, a few advocacy events will be scheduled at national and decentralized level to promote dialogue, collaboration and mutual support among members of the communities, grass-root organizations, PLHIV and their families. 

* Information and educational materials will be produced with and by PLHIV to increase awareness among the population.
       

* Pamphlets developed according to the needs of PLHIV in terms of practical information, including nutritional information, VCT reference, as well as information about the Association and the support groups (phone number, website information, etc).  The IEC materials will be distributed to VCT centers, treatment centers, and other settings to provide information as well as to promote the Association and the support groups. This will attempt to increase participation and linking people living with HIV with the Association. 

* Advocacy and awareness raising on HIV. This component  will encompass a number of HIV advocacy activities, including:

* Maintain, update and moderate the website on Health and HIV as well as the discussions through the website. Initiate and disseminate a monthly newsletter on the activities and plans of the association “Vivre Positif”. The Website, established through support of Info Sida, has proven very efficient to raise awareness and link PLHIV with the support group. Currently, there are more than 200 members of the website, including a number of PLHIV.

    3. Contribute to the mapping of current activities and organizations of people living with
        HIV in 12 countries in MENA.  

As part of regional efforts, the Associations will conduct interviews with the existing associations, support groups or people living in 12 countries in MENA. Given the nascent movement of PLHIV, only 4 out of 12 countries have established organized forms of associations for PLHIV, while interviews in the other countries will consist of discussions with PLHIV and key partners to provide information on activities and potential organizational forms.