THE NATIONAL AFRICAN HIV CONFERENCE SUSTAINING THE MOMENTUM 18th

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THE NATIONAL AFRICAN HIV CONFERENCESUSTAININ
G THE MOMENTUM18th 19th May 2006London
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PARTNERSHIPS FOR HIV PREVENTION

• THE ROLE OF AFRICAN FORUMS

By Dr. Priscilla Nkwenti Chief Executive, Black
Health Agency
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PARTNERSHIPS FOR HIV PREVENTION The Role of
African Forums

• OUTLINE
• Background
• Examples of successful partnerships
• Benefits of partnership working
• The essential role partnerships can play in
• HIV prevention strategies
• Challenges
• Lessons Emerging

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BACKGROUND

• BHA
• The Northern Forum
• Synergizing to achieve a common aim for mutual
  benefit sharing skills, resources and risks.

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EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

• Examples in the HIV Sector
• African HIV Forums
• NAHIP Implementing Agencies Partnership
• CHAPS
• South London HIV Partnership
• Northern Forum (North of England Forum)

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WHY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP?

• There are numerous benefits, but will only
  highlight a few
• Increased income diversified sources of
  finances better chances of successful
  fundraising in an environment of declining
  funding streams
• Added value synergy
• Greater negotiating power
• New approaches to work
• Avoid duplication of work
• Cost effectiveness
• Shared resources/learning
• Ability to address complex areas of work more
  effectively
• Increases individual member organisations
  profiles publicity
• Enables development of closer links and networks
  between organisations

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ESSENTIAL ROLE PARTNERSHIPS CAN PLAY IN HIV
PREVENTION STRATEGIES

• Cost-effectiveness
• Support and strengthen community development work
• Deliver culturally appropriate HIV prevention
  services for Africans
• Produce and disseminate HIV Prevention
  information resources

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ESSENTIAL ROLE PARTNERSHIPS CAN PLAY IN HIV
PREVENTION STRATEGIES (Contd)

• Effectively use the contacts and networks with
  local African communities
• Through involvement in consultations, support the
  development of the national African HIV
  prevention campaigns
• Through outreach work, support the implementation
  of the national and regional African HIV
  prevention campaign

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ESSENTIAL ROLE PARTNERSHIPS CAN PLAY IN HIV
PREVENTION STRATEGIES (Contd)

• Provide opportunities for
• strengthening regional HIV prevention work
• successful collaboration in the provision of
  effective HIV prevention and social care services
  for Africans
• shared learning, experiences good practice in
  HIV prevention work regionally nationally

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CHALLENGES

• Lack of funding for the Forums activities/work
  No funding from local PCTs NAHIP for the
  majority of African Forums
• Varying and limited organisational capacity
  (staff infrastructure)
• Extremely large areas of coverage for some Forums
  e.g. the Northern Forum covering the North West,
  North East, Yorkshire Humber regions and
  Staffordshire
• Insufficient funds allocated for organisations
  management costs
• Unrealistic timeframes for the delivery of
  contracted work
• Over ambitious targets set by commissioners
• Working with a diverse African population with
  very often very complex needs

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LESSONS EMERGING

• Be clear about the purpose of the partnership,
  contribution and anticipated benefits
• Regularly review the partnership, membership and
  progress
• Consult and communicate
• Regularly inform commissioners/funders of any
  challenges, difficulties, and possible changes in
  partnership arrangements

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LESSONS EMERGING (Contd)

• Negotiate for full cost recovery
• Identify and secure other sources of funding
• Formally constitute the Forums
• Negotiate and agree realistic time frames for
  delivering on contracts
• Negotiate and agree realistic targets and outputs
• Ensure effective co-ordination and networks are
  maintained by member organisations
• Anticipate and plan for changes in the HIV sector
  e.g. new NHS/PCT commissing arrangements for HIV
  prevention services
• Ensure that work undertaken locally and
  regionally continues to have national significance

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• BHA Telephone [phone]
• Direct Line 0161 875 2055
• E-mail priscilla_at_blackhealthagency.org.uk
• www.blackhealthagency.org.uk