U.S. Embassy Invites Community HIV/AIDS Groups to Apply for PEPFAR Grant
Zambia’s former First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda
Kaunda with Sinjela pix by Zindabah Mwanzah
By Janet Deutsch Public Affairs Officer,
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) 2017 Small Grants Program invites registered community-based organizations working in the areas of HIV and AIDS prevention, the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), and democracy and governance related to Zambia’s national HIV response to apply for one-time awards of up to ZMW 100,000. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2017.
“PEPFAR’s Small Grants Program has supported the development of more than 300 small, local partners,” said Bethany Baxter, acting PEPFAR country coordinator. “PEPFAR is proud to support grassroots, community-based organizations.”
South African President Jacob Zuma with President Kaunda
Zambia has received over $3 billion to date for its national HIV response through PEPFAR. The Small Grants Program’s goal is to foster programs created by communities and for communities.
The PEPFAR Small Grants program especially encourages organizations working in governance to apply. For example, organizations could be educating community members about their rights to health care or engaging the government to improve policies that affect persons living with HIV and AIDS.
“We are proud to support local leaders in HIV and AIDS and are always impressed by their dedication and motivation,” said Bethany Baxter. “Community-based programs are essential for Zambia’s long-tern response to its HIV/AIDS epidemic.”
Current HIV and AIDS prevention small grants programs are reducing the spread of HIV by addressing stigma and discrimination, promoting community-based solutions to health issues, behavioral changes that reduce the risk of HIV, and other effective prevention methods. OVC programs are training families and caretakers of OVC in life-skills, providing psychosocial support, and strengthening communities’ capacity to care for OVC. Democracy and governance programs are raising awareness about the responsibility of communities to ensure their children are protected against abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
Applicants must demonstrate: prior success working in one of the three program areas (HIV/AIDS prevention, OVC, or democracy and governance related to Zambia’s national HIV response), how the proposed activities will be sustained in the long term, and a monetary or in-kind contribution to the project from the organization or its community. Applicants must be legally registered non-profit organizations in Zambia. Projects will begin October 1, 2017 and be completed by September 30, 2018.
Complete guidelines and application forms are available on the United States Embassy Zambia web site: https://zm.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/pepfar/pepfar-small-grants-program/. For further information applicants may contact Priscilla Chimba, PEPFAR Small Grants Coordinator, Embassy of the United States of America, P.O. Box 320065, Lusaka, Zambia 10101, LusakaSmallGrants@state.gov, +260 211 357062.
NR/1141/12/29/16 CONTACT: Janet Deutsch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Affairs Officer
January 1, 2016 Phone: 357000
