This initiative uses information and communication technology (ICT) to boost sharing and learning among NGOs and others working on HIV and AIDS in India. "Setu" (meaning "bridge" in Hindi, contains resources related to HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender, government, and international donor policies related to HIV/AIDS and development issues. SETU is designed to be an India-specific platform for sharing the documents, publications, resources, and outputs of the India HIV/AIDS Alliance and other organisations working on similar issues in India. To cite only one example, the photo and film gallery includes such items as a photo essay with images including an informal educational support to children from HIV/AIDS-affected families, a condom demonstration by an outreach worker, a support group meeting of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), community volunteers walking with basic medical kits in order to provide care, and a peer educator imparting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS knowledge.

The knowledge in SETU is based around a number of key themes relevant to HIV and AIDS work in India including: care and treatment, prevention, gender, civil society, HIV/AIDS and SRH, and government policies (India-specific and international). External audiences may download the majority of documents contained in SETU and will also find links to the global website of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance's publications and resources. The idea is that sharing information, experiences, and good practice is a key way to improve the effectiveness of all organisations and individuals involved in the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Searchable reports and toolkits available online bring together learning and resources from the Alliance and other organisations on a range of topics.

The idea for the virtual resource centre emerged from participatory internal exercises that assessed not only the needs of the Alliance's own network of NGO partners but also drew upon those of other civil society organisations in India. The concept of a virtual resource centre was identified as one of the most effective ways to share and manage knowledge across Alliance partner networks in India, as well as establishing an India-specific resource for external audiences. This virtual resource centre is a key tool in Alliance India's knowledge management strategy.

HIV/AIDS.

Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of nationally-based organisations working to support community action on AIDS in developing countries. The India HIV/AIDS Alliance was established in 1999 to expand and intensify the International HIV/AIDS Alliance's global strategy of supporting community action to reduce the spread of HIV and mitigate the impact of AIDS. Since its inception, the Alliance has been committed to fostering and supporting the development of community-driven approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and impact mitigation in India, with an emphasis on local leadership and responsibility.