Project profile — Strengthening the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) in Eastern and Southern Africa - II (2)

• South of Sahara, regional (100.00%)

• Population Policies/Programmes And Reproductive Health: STD control including HIV/AIDS (13040) (100.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

By creating a network of training institutions, the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) aims to improve the quality of HIV/AIDS training in Eastern and Southern Africa. RATN also aims to increase access to, and demand for, HIV/AIDS training in order to strengthen the ability of communities to respond effectively to the pandemic. The project supports a sustainable and functioning regional network of training institutions that are working to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS and their impact on communities. RATN functions as a secretariat to its member institutions (29 member institutions in 10 countries in 2010). It works with its members to develop and adapt short-term skills-upgrading courses for mid-level STI and HIV/AIDS workers, trainers, program managers, and senior policy makers. Courses are delivered by the member institutions. RATN's activities are guided by a strategic plan approved by its Board of Directors that focuses on the consolidation of systems and structures to increase HIV/AIDS capacity building, training, networking, advocacy, and information-sharing activities in the region. Canada's funding, which is pooled with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Irish Aid, concentrates on activities that build RATN's capacity in areas such as Board of Directors governance, staff development and training, and financial management and procurement. This is one of two parts of the project Strengthening the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) in Eastern and Southern Africa - II, which has a total budget of $9.25 million.

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Results achieved as of March 2013 include: The Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) has increased its membership from 24 member institutions in nine countries in 2009 to 36 institutions in eleven countries in 2013. RATN has also expanded its curriculum from 23 courses in 2008 to 50 courses in 2013. RATN has delivered 541 courses to 4,516 health care workers in Eastern and Southern Africa. Since 2009, 2,344 RATN alumni have participated in RATN’s program for strengthening HIV&AIDS training and networking (called “INSTANT”). A total of 265 staff members from RATN member institutions have received training in areas such as proposal writing, project design, financial management, and results-based management. These trainees have reported improved organizational efficiency and effectiveness and the positive impact of their organization’s membership in the RATN network. Recognizing the increasing role of the private sector in health, RATN has identified public-private partnerships as a key opportunity and will manage two new projects that aim to strengthen skills and knowledge in that area: the Network for Africa and the Center for Health Market Innovations. Together, these results are contributing to improving the reach and quality of HIV/AIDS training for health workers, trainers, program managers, and senior policy makers in several countries in in Eastern and Southern Africa, enabling them to more effectively prevent and respond to the pandemic and its impact on communities. This project is one of two parts of a $9.25 million contribution. It has been divided for administrative reasons.

• Proactive disclosure
• Related activities: Strengthening the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) in Eastern and Southern Africa - II (1)