Social enterprise: Using market-driven approaches to meet the needs of key populations

The webinar, held on November 4, 2021, explored the role of social enterprises in expanding access to services and overcoming barriers to care for key populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people who inject drugs. Social enterprise initiatives with a focus on serving key population communities are increasingly recognized as key components of an effective HIV response. These business innovations with social goals offer ways to advance sustainable, locally-led responses to the epidemic. Presenters addressed how social enterprises contribute to sustainable financing of a country's HIV response, shared promising aspects of social enterprise business models, and discussed challenges associated with developing HIV-focused social enterprises. The webinar featured lightening presentations introducing five HIV social enterprise examples. Chhouk Sar Clinic in Cambodia, led by Stephanie Gallagher from Palladium, was one such example. Pluto Clinic in Vietnam, led by Dinh Van Tien, was another example. Accelerate Community Technology Ltd in Thailand, led by Stephen Mills from FHI 360, was also featured. Population Services International (PSI) South Africa, led by Sibongile Mngadi, and social enterprise initiatives among MSM-led organizations in Kenya, led by Jeffery Wilimba from GBGMC, were the remaining examples. These social enterprises employ market-driven approaches to meet the needs of key populations and sustain HIV/AIDS epidemic control efforts around the world. The webinar aimed to share knowledge and best practices in developing and implementing HIV-focused social enterprises. By leveraging market-driven approaches, social enterprises can expand access to services, overcome barriers to care, and advance sustainable, locally-led responses to the HIV epidemic. The EpiC project's collaboration with Global Black Gay Men Connect highlights the importance of engaging key populations in the development and implementation of HIV-focused social enterprises. By working together, stakeholders can leverage the strengths of social enterprises to improve HIV prevention, care, and treatment outcomes for key populations. The webinar's focus on market-driven approaches and social enterprise business models underscores the potential of these initiatives to drive sustainable, locally-led responses to the HIV epidemic.