How a pioneering HIV prevention project sowed the seeds for Basera’s grassroots leadership model

When Basera joined forces with India HIV/AIDS Alliance in 2012 to launch Pehchan, we knew it wasn’t just about delivering condoms and testing kits. It was about entrusting our own communities—their lived experience, wisdom, and resilience—to lead every step of the HIV-prevention journey. In six districts across Uttar Pradesh, Basera trained 60 peer educators drawn from sex workers, MSM, and transgender networks.

These peer educators did more than distribute supplies. They convened safe-space forums where stigma dissolved and honest conversations about sexuality and health took root. They mapped hotspots, organized counselling circles, and linked community members to local clinics. By facilitating these peer-led systems—referral networks, support groups, and outreach teams—Pehchan ensured that prevention efforts didn’t fade when the funding cycle ended.

Over four years, we reached more than 20,000 people, facilitated 1,200 HIV tests, and embedded six enduring support groups in local neighbourhoods. But the true impact lies in the human transformations: educators who discovered leadership calling, clients who reclaimed agency over their health, and district health officials who now routinely consult transgender leaders on programme design.

Impact Snapshot

• 1700+ community members reached
• 1,200 HIV screenings conducted
• Six peer-led support groups established

Pehchan’s legacy lives on. Today, many of its original peer educators serve on Basera’s advisory board, mentoring a new generation of activists. The systems and relationships Pehchan nurtured continue to flourish—proof that when communities lead, change endures.