Strengthening capacity in MSM, transgender and hijra communities to improve HIV prevention impact.

Named for the Hindi word meaning ‘identity,’ ‘recognition’ or ‘acknowledgment,’ the Pehchan programme strengthens and builds the capacity of 200 community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide effective, inclusive, and sustainable HIV prevention programming in 17 states in India for more than 450,000 men who have sex with men (MSM), transgenders and hijras (collectively, MTH).

Pehchan is funded by the Global Fund and remains their largest single-country grant to date focused on the HIV response for vulnerable and underserved sexual minorities. Along with Alliance India, the Pehchan consortium includes the Humsafar Trust, Pehchan North Region Office, SAATHII, Sangama, Alliance India Andhra Pradesh, and SIAAP.

Pehchan is a rare example of a Community Systems Strengthening programme working at a national scale. It provides organisational development, technical and capacity building support to new and existing CBOs working with MTH communities. Using a rights-based approach, the programme develops CBOs to serve as implementing partners with the National AIDS Control Programme’s Targeted Interventions (TIs) that provide HIV prevention services to high-risk groups. By helping build strong CBOs, Pehchan addresses capacity gaps that often prevent them from receiving government funding.

Basera Samajik Sansthan One of the 200 CBOs which were provided Capacity building from 2011 to 2015. During these years Basera registered 2000 MTH people by providing sexual health services.