Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Details for Mechanism ID: 12186
Country/Region: Eswatini
Year: 2010
Main Partner: Johns Hopkins University
Main Partner Program: Project Search
Organizational Type: Implementing Agency
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $50,000

Johns Hopkins University, Knowledge for Health Southern Africa (K4HSA) Program will work with the Swaziland National AIDS Information Centre (NAIC) and its key stakeholders, including NERCHA, to build capacity and develop and strengthen knowledge management systems to facilitate the capturing, synthesizing and sharing of HIV/AIDS knowledge and information, thereby addressing information needs, improving program implementation and collaboration, and making use of new technologies to better share information and experiences. Due to the prominent role the NAIC plays in the development of social and behavioral change communications, particular focus will be on prevention efforts.

This activity contributes to both the prevention and strategic information pillars of the Partnership Framework and will help strengthen the prevention thematic area of the NSF. K4HSA will develop the capacity of a strategically placed local institution to better manage and disseminate HIV prevention materials and information, encouraging and facilitating their use in the design, harmonization and implementation of prevention programs throughout the country.

The NAIC resource center based in Manzini benefits a range of individuals and organizations working in health, education, the community, the government and the private sector in Swaziland, including: Health program managers and providers, Community, Faith-based and Non-Governmental organizations, Networks of PLWHA and support organizations, Focal point units and individuals in government, Planners and policy makers, Researchers, Advocates and the media.

Family planning is a health-related wraparound cross-cutting key issue within this activity. The K4HSA program has considerable linkage and experience with family planning and is therefore uniquely positioned to improve the integration of HIV/AIDS and family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) for better health outcomes within programs in Swaziland.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $50,000

K4HSA will work with the Swaziland National AIDS Information Center (NAIC), NERCHA and other stakeholders to create a National HIV/AIDS Resource and Training Centre (RTC) for Swaziland that will serve as the key source of evidence-based information on HIV/AIDS in Swaziland. Priority under the COP10 funding will be given to HIV prevention efforts focused on social and behavioral change communications.

Specific activities under the project include:

Develop the RTC as a national HIV/AIDS clearinghouse that provides easy access to all relevant, evidence-based research, programmatic materials, tools, communication materials, policy and advocacy information, and a directory of HIV/AIDS services and programs in Swaziland. Materials would be accessible in electronic, hard copy, and audio-visual formats.

Develop the capacity of the NAIC to document key activities and programs and their significance in the HIV/AIDS response and to repackage key information for specific target audiences.

Develop a Swazi web portal for HIV/AIDS. The Centre would develop a dynamic, easy-to-use web portal to provide country-wide access to resources and a forum for program managers, health communicators, researchers, trainers, and policy makers to share experiences, strategies, approaches and lessons learned.

Develop the capacity of the NAIC to host electronic and face to face forums at national and district level, to discuss current issues on HIV/AIDS.

Provide a virtual online training center. The Centre will develop a series of e-learning courses targeted to a range of audiences including public health practitioners, program managers, health communication specialists, and volunteers country-wide, giving them access to training, knowledge and skills.

Build local capacity by creating or strengthening existing district and community level "learning centers" that will be linked to and collaborate with the RTC.