AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report – Georgia

The trip was led by Rabinova Vlada and Anna Dovbakh from Alliance Ukraine staff, Kiev, Ukraine, and Panahova Konul, Rzayev Kamran, Elkhan Baghirov from Gender and Development staff, Baku, Azerbaijan, and Ashot Gevorgyan, Karen Badalyan, Elvira Ghevondyan from We for Civil Equality staff, Yerevan, Armenia. The primary objective of the trip was to co-facilitate and provide logistical support for two regional trainings: "Transgenders: Myths and Reality. Developing services for transgender and cross-dressing community in each of Caucasus country" and "Mobilisation and Development of MSM/LGBT Community for Providing Comprehensive Package of Services." The trainings aimed to increase the knowledge and skills of participants regarding mobilization of vulnerable communities of MSM/LGBT for participation in advocacy for access to the Package of Services and receiving HIV prevention services. The first training, "Transgenders: Myths and Reality," was conducted on March 11-12, 2013. The key objectives of the training were to develop a package of services for vulnerable TG community, analyze existing information on HIV vulnerability of TG community, and discuss coordination of prevention and care projects and services implemented to support service coordination and coverage of the migrant community. The training resulted in a common understanding of TG needs among participants, special planning among three South Caucasian organizations on coordination of prevention activities for TG community, and the distribution of flash cards with informational materials and resource materials. The second training, "Mobilisation and Development of MSM/LGBT Community for Providing Comprehensive Package of Services," was conducted on March 13-15, 2013. The objectives of the training were to increase the knowledge and skills regarding mobilization of vulnerable communities of MSM/LGBT, increase the level of national leaders' knowledge and understanding of mobilization methodologies, analyze the challenges in mobilizing vulnerable MSM/LGBT communities, and develop a strategy for further actions on mobilization and capacity development. The training resulted in MSM-service and LGBT community leaders learning systematic approaches of the four phases of community mobilization process, practical skill building for areas of motivating community representatives and leaders, and the distribution of flash cards with informational materials and resource materials. The trainings' agendas included presentations, discussions, and work in small groups, making up posters on the participants' view of transgenders and cross-dressers. The participants received technical resources on community mobilization and organizational development, and measurement, as well as technical guidance and tools for providing services for vulnerable groups and management of community-based organizations. The trip report highlights the importance of providing comprehensive services for vulnerable communities, including MSM/LGBT, and the need for coordination and collaboration among organizations to support service coordination and coverage of the migrant community. The report also emphasizes the importance of community mobilization and capacity development to increase the knowledge and skills of participants regarding mobilization of vulnerable communities.