As much as possible, these vulnerable populations have been involved in the planning stages of this application. Those with organized groups or activists, MSM and PLWHA, have been represented at planning, writing, and discussion meetings. One member of the steering committee for this application writing process is himself PLWHA, and is very active in the community. PLWHA will also be recruited to work on public anti-stigma campaigns, but the degree of discrimination in China will limit their willingness to expose their identities. NGOs representing or working with SW, MSM, migrants and PLWHA will also be involved in planning and implementation. MSM groups, as well as individual MSM, will be involved in all stages of designing and implementing, and monitoring activities targeted at the MSM community. PLWHA and PLWHA groups will be invited to play an active role in monitoring all activities.

Participation by community members (NGOs working with vulnerable populations, individuals, family members, and friends) will be critical to the success of the implementation of this project, as gaining access and building trust of these populations have been major barriers to effective interventions to date in China. SW, MSM and migrants will be recruited to do outreach and participate in IEC/BCC campaigns, including 100% condom use activities. MSM in particular have a well-developed network of local groups that have been involved in small-scale HIV prevention activities, and are ideally suited to participate in this project. Because of the high degree of stigma against PLWHA in China, their inclusion and participation will also be an important means of reducing discrimination and reinforce the aims of objective one.

Monitoring of project results will be done at a community level, with the active involvement of community members and vulnerable populations. Domestic and international NGOs, as well as academics and government departments will all be involved in monitoring project activities. PLWHA groups will play an important role, and will be partners in both implementation and monitoring. The role of NGOs and PLWHA will be actively supported and strengthened by this project. (also see objective 4)

This project will have a number of significant impacts. First, it will reduce social stigma against PLWHA and people seen to be “at risk” of being infected with HIV. Second, it will provide information about HIV/AIDS, condoms and other services, which will serve to reduce high-risk behavior among the most vulnerable populations. Third, VCT and STI services will be improved, linked to HIV prevention information and services, and made more accessible. Fourth, the civil society component of this project will directly impact the vulnerable populations by creating a platform for them to form community organizations and protect their own health and interests. Combined, these impacts will serve to prevent the rapid spread of HIV among vulnerable populations in China, preventing a new wave of the epidemic.