HIV/AIDS

The project aims to contribute to the overall goal of maintaining the current low HIV-prevalence rate among key populations at higher HIV risk in Kosovo below 5%; and currently very weak national response to HIV. While less than 100 cases of HIV infection have been reported in Kosovo, the country is regarded as vulnerable to an HIV epidemic due to its high rates of poverty and unemployment, increasing drug use and high-risk sexual behavior, particularly among young Kosovars and other vulnerable groups. Commercial sex and human trafficking represent additional epidemiological risks, as does a significant population of stigmatized men who have sex with men (MSM).

The program launched in late 2008, is aimed at maintaining HIV prevalence among key vulnerable populations below five percent and prevents HIV from spreading in other groups.

The program focuses on HIV prevention among the key populations that are at high risk (KPARs)of becoming infected with the disease. It will scale-up the delivery of a range of comprehensive, high-quality HIV-prevention programs and services that are tailored to the needs of specific KPAR’s.

This program continues activities of KOS-708-G02-H grant in the country (which was initially assigned to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and later changed to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kosovo with whom the Global Fund signed a Novated Grant Agreement on 1 October 2009) under the new Principal Recipient the Community Development Fund.

The Goal of the project is to maintain HIV prevalence among key populations at risk at the current low level (below 5%), and prevent HIV from spreading into other groups.

Target Groups/Beneficiaries are:

- IDUs – LABYRINTH;
- MSM – CSGD;
- Sex Workers – KOPF;
- Drug using prison inmates – Ministry of Justice;
- Younger people (15 to 24 years of age) at higher HIV risk – Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (DIR), YAZAS, INTEGRA,
- and
- PLHIV – KAPHA.