A subgroup of Country Programmes within Prolinnova jointly developed ideas for learning and action related to Participatory Innovation Development (PID) in the face of HIV/AIDS. In January 2008, the HAPID (HIV/AIDS and PID) subproject was launched. The initial two years are funded by the Netherlands Directorate for International Cooperation (DGIS) under the Community-Led Natural Resource Management programme implemented jointly by Prolinnova and COMPAS (Comparing and Supporting Endogenous Development). The Prolinnova programmes involved initially in HAPID are those in Ghana–South, Mozambique and South Africa.

The HAPID initiative starts with exploratory work to find out how organisations involved in the Prolinnova programme and local organisations supporting HIV/AIDS-affected households could strengthen their programmes. The initial study aims at: 1) understanding the implications of HIV/AIDS on research and development work; 2) understanding how local innovation allows households and communities to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, with special attention to women’s roles and decision-making abilities, and (3) developing and sharing strategies and approaches for integrating local innovation and PID in agriculture and natural resource management into efforts to avoid/prevent HIV/AIDS and mitigate its effects.

The local organisations responsible for coordinating the HAPID activities in each country are:

• Ghana–South: ECASARD (Ecumenical Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development)
• South Africa: FSG (Farmer Support Group), University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Mozambique: VetAid.

The HAPID subproject is guided by an international team composed of Brigid Letty (Prolinnova–South Africa), Romuald Rutazihana (Prolinnova–Mozambique), Ann Waters-Bayer and Chesha Wettasinha (Prolinnova International Support Team, ETC EcoCulture), Carolien Aantjes (ETC Crystal) and Michael Loevinsohn (Applied Ecology Associates). View self-introductions of the HAPID international team.

As a background paper for the country teams, Michael Loevinsohn has prepared a review of international experiences related to "Innovation in agriculture and NRM in communities confronting HIV/AIDS." (Word Document ; size: 308 KB)

Learn more (full HAPID information) ...

Posted: March 5, 2008
Last Updated: March 31, 2008