| Abstract: | The National STD/AIDS Program (NSAP) of the Brazilian government believes that nongovernmental organizations (NGO) occupy a strategic position in mobilizing the human and financial resources needed to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. NGOs are indeed partners with the state in planning and implementing a national HIV/AIDS strategy, organizations which are highly flexible and determined to deal directly with affected communities. It is especially regarding prevention among vulnerable groups and the implementation of alternative care/support strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS (PHIV) that the NSAP cooperates most directly with NGOs. This cooperation is clearly seen in NSAP funding for NGO projects conducted in 1993-94 in the following areas: the care and support of PHIV, IEC, institutional development and exchange, and behavioral interventions among the most vulnerable population groups. 102 organizations have thus far received financial aid for 170 projects. The funding of NGO projects occurs twice annually, supervised by an external committee. To help NGOs find partners for new proposals, the NSAP published a NGO directory and manual on the formulation and evaluation of community projects. NGOs receiving funding receive further orientation via an NSAP manual on administrative procedures and bookkeeping. Funds are released periodically to projects upon presentation of reports including technical, financial, and qualitative information, with monitoring taking place three times yearly by the projects in collaboration with external consultants. |
