Almaty, Kazakhstan – Over the next three years, under the “Salamatty Kazakhstan National Health Care Program,” the government of Kazakhstan will make over $4 million in grants available to NGOs working in a variety of health care areas, including HIV. On November 28, the USAID Quality Health Care Project will conduct a national roundtable in Almaty focused on expanding opportunities for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on HIV and AIDS to apply, receive, and implement government funded grants. Representatives from governmental organizations and NGOs from the East Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan, Karaganda, and Almaty regions will share experiences and develop next steps to expand NGO access to these government financing opportunities.

International donor organizations in Kazakhstan are gradually reducing outside financial assistance for HIV care as a result of the increasing strength of the Kazakhstani economy. In response, the government of Kazakhstan has begun expanding funding opportunities for local NGOs working to increase access to HIV prevention, treatment, and support services for vulnerable populations.

Elena Bilokon, director of the NGO “Moi dom” in Temirtau, and leader of the Kazakh Network of Women Living with HIV believes that USAID’s efforts will be successful. “Roundtables like this one provide a platform for dialogue, which allow NGOs the opportunity to be heard by the government and collaborate more effectively.”