Civil Society (CS)

According to the National Multisectoral Strategic Framework (NMSF) on HIV/AIDS (2003 - 2007), Feb. 2003 community mobilization, empowerment and support to communities to respond effectively are the key elements of the National Response to the epidemic. It is highlighted in this document that it is in the communities and at the local level where the fight against AIDS will be decided. NGOs, CBOs and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) should and could make important contributions towards mobilization of communities and need to be supported.

During the last two decades the Civil Society actors carry some hopes of international development agencies, in particular with respect to its increasing role in communicating issues and rendering services to the communities, which are difficult to be carried out exclusively by government and development agencies (e.g. fighting stigma and discrimination, home based care to HIV/AIDS infected and affected people in the communities, orphans' care etc.). However, expectations on the quality and reliability of services provided by CS- actors were not always met in the past. Thus, there is an urgent need to have more detailed knowledge on the nature of Civil Society actors and to build up confidence and trust between both the Local Government and the Civil Society Organizations.

This calls for the installation of a process, where the strengths, weaknesses, potentials and fears of the different bodies of the Civil Society are assessed and a realistic strategy of involvement of relevant partners is designed at local level.

The TGPSH is supporting this process and help to make it as effective as possible through

Development of a procedure how partnerships and cooperation between the Local Government and Civil Society actors incl. the private sector can be facilitated;
Development of tools for assessing the capacities of the third sector in fighting HIV/AIDS and for identifying level of awareness, preparedness and willingness of local organizations for an adequate response to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS;
Support of Council of Multisectoral AIDS Committees with respect to getting relevant information on the potentials of community-led initiatives into the process of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and mitigation through intersectoral District/Municipal Mapping & Assessment Teams;
Capacity Building: Different actors of the civil society (NGOs, FBOs, CBOs) and the private sector (medium scale enterprises) enabled to actively contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS according to their respective level of capacities.

For more information download

Summary paper on tools for Civil Society Capacity assessment.
Flow-Chart: Overview of the Civil Society mapping and assessment process.

available in the 'Download Section'.