How We Work
The African HCWG Theory of Change
The HCWG works as an independent, African-led platform that brings evidence, politics, financing, and community voices into the same conversation to shape a sustainable HIV and health response for the continent.
Our Approach – We convene African experts across various sectors to create shared analyses and positions, integrating data and country experiences to propose practical options for transition and sustainability. Additionally, we collaborate with technical partners to leverage their analytics and tools, while focusing on governance, policy, and financing dialogue.
Country-level Engagement – We collaborate with high-burden countries to develop and test transition solutions by partnering with health and finance ministries, office of the President, AIDS bodies, and communities. Our approach includes mapping current HIV responses and capacity gaps, using existing tools for planning domestic financing, and facilitating structured processes to define priorities and next steps. Our goal is to ensure sustainable frameworks and relationships persist beyond our involvement.
Regional and Global Advocacy – The HCWG connects African ministers, regional entities, and funders in dialogues to define a sustainable transition. It expresses African views on governance and financing, while advocating for innovative financing models that enhance African negotiating strength beyond conventional grant aid.
Centering Communities and Civil Society – We emphasize that sustainability relies on placing communities at the forefront. Our approach includes engaging various groups such as people living with HIV, key populations, youth, and women’s organizations as essential partners. We facilitate platforms for collaboration between communities and governments to prioritize discussions and ensure accountability. Additionally, we promote community-led innovations in prevention and service delivery, particularly in contexts where donor support has diminished.