Tools and Guidelines

This document was developed in response to the increase in HIV-related human rights crises in recent years in countries around the world and the need for guidance for country-based United Nations (UN) staff in determining how best to respond to these events. It is based on a 2012 guidance note prepared by the UNAIDS Secretariat for its staff. This expanded guidance is primarily intended for members of Joint UN Country Teams on AIDS (UNAIDS co-sponsoring organizations, UNAIDS Secretariat and other relevant UN partners). It will also be of interest to staff members of other international organizations who are concerned about or may need to contribute to a crisis response, such as international donors/development partners, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and civil society groups.

This policy brief provides an overview of key findings, data and figures of the new consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations. In addition, it offers an overview of the comprehensive package on interventions and a table summarizing WHO recommendations concerning key populations.

Modelled HIV estimates are created by country teams using UNAIDS-supported software. The country teams are comprised primarily of epidemiologists, demographers, monitoring and evaluation specialists and technical partners. Country-submitted files are reviewed at UNAIDS, and selected HIV service data contained in the files are reviewed and validated in partnership with WHO and UNICEF. UNAIDS review aims to ensure comparability of results across regions, countries and over time.

In this new consolidated guidelines document on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations, the World Health Organization (WHO) brings together all existing guidance relevant to five key populations – men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings, sex workers and transgender people – and updates selected guidance and recommendations. These guidelines aim to: provide a comprehensive package of evidence-based HIV-related recommendations for all key populations; increase awareness of the needs of and issues important to key populations; improve access, coverage and uptake of effective and acceptable services; and catalyze greater national and global commitment to adequate funding and services. 

The purpose of this resource book is to provide an overview of how the new funding model will work for Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs), other applicants and key stakeholders. This guide offers practical information on the different stages of the funding cycle, along with guidance on best practices learned from early applicants. Supporting resources and tools available related to each stage are also indicated.

The Global Fund is changing its funding model. The new model will change the way the Global Fund assesses, approves, disburses, and monitors grants to increase successful applications, improve implementation, and ultimately achieve greater impact. The new model will increase engagement between applicants and the Global Fund and provide implementers with more flexibility, predictability, and clarity.

The new model provides implementers with more flexible timing, better alignment with national strategies and greater predictability on the level of funding available. There is more active engagement with implementers and partners throughout grant application and implementation to ensure greater global impact.

Six countries and three regional programs are being invited as early applicants to participate in the full process of the new funding model, from submitting a concept note to creating a new grant. The countries – Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kazakhstan and the Philippines – will be able to access a total of US$364 million in new funding in the transition period. They can also apply for additional funds that incentivize ambitious and high impact investments and co-financing.

A transition to the new funding model is underway. Access to funding in the transition phase is by invitation, and special consideration will be given to countries in a position to achieve rapid impact, those at risk of service interruptions, and those currently receiving less than they would under the new funding model’s allocation principles. There is diversity across regions and diseases and types of applicants, so that elements of the new funding model can be tested and refined.

The current publication helps intended users in considering 'what' are some effective or promising strategies to consider. It does not provide detailed guidance on 'how to' implement them. It intentionally focuses on specific forms of violence that are most common in women's lives globally, that are most relevant for the HIV epidemic, and for which there is more evidence on promising interventions: intimate partner violence, sexual violence by non-partners and violence experienced by women in selected key populations, such as sex workers.