PSP Zimbabwe Partnership Project: Partnership Fund Grant Mechanism
To promote a comprehensive response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe, the Partnership Project actively engages with key partners and stakeholders throughout implementation of program activities. The Partnership Fund grant mechanism supports the development of strong, cost-effective partnerships with local Zimbabwean organizations as important partners and implementers of Partnership Project activities. Through the Partnership Fund, the project works directly with local organizations from Zimbabwean not-for-profit and for-profit sectors and ensures that they play a major role in the implementation of planned activities and achievement of programmatic results. The project makes efforts to identify and support organizations in remote and ‘harder to reach’ areas of the country, to ensure coverage of activities and support for local organizations working in these important locations. Abt Associates leads the implementation of the Partnership Fund grants component, in close coordination with project partners Population Services International (PSI), Family Health International (FHI), and Banyan Global.
Despite an operating environment extremely challenging to grant management and implementation, the Partnership Fund has awarded a number of grants to local partners who are taking an active role in program implementation.
New Start is a network of branded Voluntary HIV Testing and Counseling centers developed by project partner PSI. As the project has localized program activities, a number of local organizations have been given responsibility for direct management and implementation of New Start centers, providing voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services through static sites as well as outreach programs. Grants are currently in place with 4 local partners (Batsirayi Group, FACT Chiredzi, FACT Mutare, and Lubancho House) operating New Start activities throughout the country.
New Life is a network of branded post-HIV test service sites, dedicated to providing ongoing counseling support, information, and referrals for HIV-positive clients. The project currently has a grant agreement with partner Tsungirirai for management and operation of a key New Life center.
Safe from Harm is an interpersonal communications program focusing on promoting parent-child communication to help address factors leading to early sexual activity among youth. The program is designed to increase awareness, knowledge and ability among youth to confront pressures, including social, economic, and peer pressures. The program is conducted in collaboration with faith based organizations (FBOs). The project currently has grant agreements with 3 local partners (DACHICARE, Christian Development Association, and Evangelical Federation of Zimbabwe) to implement the Safe from Harm program through their networks across the country.
Mr. Smart is an interpersonal communications (IPC) initiative designed to promote correct and consistent condom use among high risk population groups. Activities within the Mr. Smart initiative are designed to address issues related to condom efficacy i.e. perceived effectiveness of the product and self efficacy i.e. ability to correctly use and negotiate product use among sexually active men and women. Mr. Smart activities are conducted in high risk areas for HIV (growth points, border regions, mining areas, resettlement farms, etc.). The project currently has grant agreements with 2 local partners (International Video Fair and the Road Show Company) to implement the Mr. Smart program.
The project has also developed the framework for a IPC community outreach program called Step Up which addresses high risk behaviors (cross-generational sex and concurrency) among youth in tertiary colleges and vocational schools. The program is finalizing grant agreements with several local partners to implement this program.
