Civic Engagement for Better Community Health
About the project
The project addresses tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS issues in Romania through two main actions: developing and strengthening the STOP TB Romania network and enhancing citizen involvement in public health policies related to TB and HIV/AIDS.
In collaboration with three other NGOs, the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation has established the STOP TB Romania Partnership, modeled after the STOP TB Partnership (http://www.stoptb.org), an international network bringing together stakeholders in TB, HIV, and public health (approximately 1,500 partners from over 100 countries).
The STOP TB Romania Partnership is an informal network comprising 11 organizations working with affected individuals or at-risk groups. This project aims to improve coordination and efficiency within the network and to engage more affected or at-risk individuals in TB/HIV-related public health policies by forming a community of patients and former patients interested in public health policies.
The project will benefit two main groups: individuals affected or at risk of TB or HIV and the member or prospective organizations of the STOP TB Romania network. Activities will include network capacity building, national advocacy campaigns for TB and HIV, citizen capacity building, and training and mentoring for effective engagement with local and national decision-makers.
The added value of the STOP TB Romania network will be driven by relevant experience in both direct patient/community work and interactions with authorities.
Goal
The project’s goal is to enhance civic engagement and decision-making capacity of individuals affected by or at risk of TB and/or HIV through the STOP TB Romania Partnership. This aims to ensure that public policies proposed and implemented at both central and local levels reflect the voices of these citizens, adhering to the principle of “Nothing For Us Without Us.”
Objectives
- Engage at least 50 individuals affected by or at risk of TB and/or HIV in advocacy, communication, and social mobilization actions at central or local levels to influence public health policies impacting their lives and health.
- Expand and strengthen the STOP TB Romania Partnership by including at least 5 additional patient associations and health NGOs, to enhance the network’s legitimacy in representing the target group’s interests.
- Increase the education and engagement of at least 400 citizens regarding public health and their role in policy development through two e-learning modules by the end of the project.
