A practical guide to meaningfully engage adolescents in the AIDS response

To end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, specific—yet flexible—strategies are needed for different age groups, populations and geographical locations. Ending the epidemic among adolescents requires amplifying investments where they can make the most difference and fostering innovation by adolescents and youth themselves, as well as governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

This tool offers guidance for how to involve young people in all Global Fund processes, including the development or review of national strategic plans (and/or investment cases), the management of the ongoing country dialogue, the creation of the concept note, the composition of Country Coordinating Mechanisms, and the implementation of Global Fund supported programs. We welcome your feedback and are available to answer any questions you have about implementing this tool. You can contact us at PACT-GlobalFund@gmail.com.

This tool has been developed in collaboration between the PACT—a global alliance of 25 youth organizations working on HIV—UNAIDS and the Global Fund Secretariat. It aims to increase young people’s effective and meaningful participation in the Global Fund, with a specific emphasis on opportunities to participate at the national level.

Worldwide an estimated 4.5 million youth (aged 15–24 years) and 2.1 million adolescents (aged 10–19) were living with HIV by the end of 2012. Young people aged 10–24 years represent approximately 15% of all people living with HIV. In 2012, youth aged 15–24 accounted for 39% of new HIV infections in people aged 15 and older.

A practical toolkit for young people who are passionate about advancing HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights through national advocacy in the post-2015 agenda.