Coordinated by the Open Society Institute (OSI) , the purpose of this competition is to fund community-based advocacy groups of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in countries with high or concentrated rates of HIV and TB co-infection and to mobilise demand for improving policy and programmes related to HIV/TB (HIV/Tuberculosis) co-infection and expand resources for joint or coordinated programming.

This TB/HIV advocacy small grant competition is intended to support a group of up to fifteen projects providing up to USD $5,000 per project in support for TB/HIV advocacy work by AIDS community groups in countries affected by the dual TB/HIV epidemics. Community-based advocacy, education and mobilisation have been identified as key elements in expanding TB services to communities affected by HIV/AIDS and in establishing effective linkages between HIV and TB programmes.

The Open Society Institute (OSI) is calling for letters of intent (LOIs) to support the development of proposals on mobilising demand for improving policy and programmes related to TB/HIV co-infection. Applicants whose letters of intent are accepted will be supported by Treatment Action Group (TAG) to attend the 3rd International TB/HIV Community Mobilisation Workshop, at the 35th International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) World Conference on Lung Health in Paris from October 26 - November 1 2005 and will be offered the opportunity after that workshop to submit a proposal for up to USD $5,000 of project support.

Activities eligible for support include but are not limited to:

• Advocacy for better coordination of TB and HIV programmes in countries affected by both epidemics.
• Advocacy for increased resources devoted to TB and HIV programmes in countries affected by both epidemics.
• Community mobilisation activities within HIV communities to promote access to TB services for people living with/at risk of HIV infection, and access to HIV services - including voluntary testing & counselling, prevention and treatment (including cotrimoxazole, isoniazid prophylaxis, antiretroviral therapy) - for people living with/at risk of TB disease.
• Strengthening of community-based HIV treatment advocacy, education, literacy and preparedness programmes to include TB programming in local, national, and regional PLWHA networks and organisations.
• Educational activities within HIV communities to promote TB knowledge, literacy, prevention, treatment, cure, and better programmes.

LOIs must come from existing community based organisations.

Organisations must demonstrate:

• Capacity to implement advocacy, education and mobilisation programmes related to TB and/or HIV;
• Experience/focus in policy change and advocacy work;
• Adequate representation of PLWHA on board, staff and all levels;
• Ability to have successfully fundraised and implemented programmes.

How to Apply

Interested organisations should submit a five part letter of intent(LOI). Completed LOI's must be sent via mail, email or fax to the below contact information.

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