The project known as Alianza Liderazgo en Positivo (HIV Positive Leadership) and Poblaciones Clave (Key Populations) strengthens and trains social organizations and key populations* to do advocacy work. The goal is to achieve a better quality of life and full human rights for all key populations living with HIV in Latin America.

Why key populations must be directly involved

Involving people with HIV and other key populations in decision-making makes the regional response to HIV more relevant. Their participation is essential in convincing governments to respond effectively, offer quality services and guarantee investment in a long-term comprehensive response to HIV – which is the aim of the project.

Latin America has made significant progress towards the 90-90-90 goal, but many challenges lie ahead. In 2020, some 170,000 people living with HIV still did not know their status, and one in three people were not diagnosed until their condition was advanced. The discrimination and gender-based violence against key populations that is well documented in the region also undermines their access to and retention in treatment.

Our innovative approach

This is an innovative effort that combines the leadership, vision, capacities and strengths of different regional networks. It is the first time that networks of people with HIV coordinate action with networks of key populations towards a shared goal: the full enjoyment of human rights and access to comprehensive and differentiated care in Latin America. We work through:

  • monitoring social, sub-regional and national budgets and expenditures on HIV
  • promoting savings and efficiency in investing and reallocating resources to make the response to HIV more comprehensive
  • forging alliances with Ombudsmen offices and other national entities to address the violence and stigma that create barriers for key populations
  • changing agendas, regulations and practices to improve the acquisition of HIV treatments and prevention options
  • involving and closely collaborating with people living with HIV and key populations

Where

Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Peru

Results of ALEP phase 1

ALEP phase 1 worked in 11 countries and involved over 75 organizations across Latin American and the Caribbean. Looking back over the run of the project we can highlight some significant achievements.

  • ALEP created the platform Observadatos.org to gather data on the results of citizen monitoring of the HIV response. The data helped the political advocacy of civil society organizations (CSOs) and was useful for holding governments to account for their HIV spending and policies.
  • ALEP’s studies on community models for access to HIV treatment, purchasing policies, and access to information led to the creation of new roadmaps in five countries for access to treatment and services.
  • CSOs in all 11 countries now have strategies in place with authorities for better HIV treatment and information.
  • To improve the skills and knowledge of key populations, the project collaborated with academic institutions offering university degrees in HIV and Public Health and created the Leadership Academy for KP leaders. Over 230 people graduated. Another 53 beneficiaries of ALEP graduated from a regional literacy program in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV.

Phase II of ALEP started in October 2022 and seeks to strengthen the project’s intersectional perspective by connecting with other agendas, movements, and initiatives in the field of feminism, environmentalism, and education.

Period

Phase 1: October 2019 to September 2022
Phase 2: October 2022 to September 2025

Donor

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Partners

Country Coordinating Mechanisms where there is a Global Fund program in progress, UNAIDS, and PAHO.

Networks (in coordination with Hivos)

  • Central American Network of People with HIV (REDCA +)
  • Latin American Network of People Living with HIV (RedLa +)
  • International Treatment Preparedness Coalition Latin America and the Caribbean (ITPC-LATCA)
  • International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICW Latina)
  • The Latin American and the Caribbean Movement of Women living with HIV (MLCM +)
  • The Latin America and Caribbean Network of Young Persons with HIV (J+LAC)
  • The Latin American Platform of People Who Exercise Sex Work (Plaperts)
  • Gay Latino
  • The Latin American and Caribbean network of transgender people (RedLacTrans)
  • The Latin American Network of People Who Use Drugs (LANPUD)

* Key populations:

  • Gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV
  • Trans women with HIV
  • Women sex workers with HIV
  • Women with HIV
  • Young people with HIV (15 to 24 years old)
  • Indigenous and Afro-descendant populations with HIV
  • People who use drugs with HIV
Logos ALEP