Call for Proposals for the Collaborative Fund for HIV/AIDS Treatment Preparedness in Southern Africa The Collaborative Fund for HIV/AIDS Treatment Preparedness in Southern Africa calls for submissions from organisations seeking funding for community-based HIV treatments advocacy and educa- tion programs. Grants will be allocated to successful applica- tions for a period of up to one year to a maximum amount of 10,000 US dollars per application. The objective of this grant program for HIV/AIDS treatment pre- paredness in Southern Africa is to support initiatives of civil organisations that represent interests of people living with HIV/AIDS and other communities affected by the HIV/AIDS epi- demic. Funding Priority Areas The priority areas for funding include: * Developing and strengthening communities of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and other vulnerable communities affected by HIV for carrying out advocacy actions related to increasing ac- cess to HIV treatment and services; * Developing treatment education initiatives which will lead to improved access to HIV/AIDS treatment; * Improving access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS specifically treatment education, information and preparedness for antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and medicines to treat opportun- istic infections; * Overcoming stigma and discrimination toward people with HIV/AIDS and/or vulnerable populations at risk for HIV, includ- ing women, children, sex workers, youth, MSM (men who have sex with men) and mobile populations; * Capacity building and strengthening the development of PLWHA organisations and other key partners; * Supporting projects that focus on advocacy for vulnerable groups, for example advocacy related to harm reduction or human rights. Eligibility Nongovernmental community-based organisations working on HIV treatments education and advocacy and related issues are invited to apply for a grant. These organisations must be based and conduct the majority of their activities in at least one of the following countries: Ma- lawi, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozam- bique, Angola, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Joint projects between organisations are also accepted for con- sideration. How to Apply Respond to questions in the application form. This form can be downloaded from the website of the Pan African Treatment Access Movement (PATAM) on http://www.patam.org. Queries and requests can also be addressed to mailto:grant_sadc@patam.org Deadlines Submission of Applications: applications must be received by 7 July 2005 Grant Award Announcement: 1 August 2005 Background The Collaborative Fund is a partnership of Tides Foundation with members of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition that aims to fund efforts by civil society, especially people living with HIV/AIDS, to advocate for and participate in the de- velopment and implementation of HIV treatment access programs. In the Southern Africa region, a Community Review Panel (CRP) has been established and is made up of community experts from around the region. The CRP will be managing the grants process in collaboration with Tides Foundation, a U.S.-based public charity. Funds have been received from a number of donors, most notably from the World Health Organisation's 'Preparing for Treatment Programme'. For this funding cycle in Southern Africa, a total of 200,000 US dollars is available for 2005. About the Tides Foundation: http://www.tides.org About the Pan African Treatment Access Movement (PATAM): http://www.patam.org