Active projects across SRHR & HIV prevention, climate change, and child protection — implemented with communities and partners across Zambia.
Supported by ViiV Healthcare
Strengthening Zambia's health system so that people using long-acting injectable PrEP (CAB) continue receiving services without interruption. SHIELD responds to service disruptions caused by funding changes and wellness centre closures — addressing gaps in human resources, data systems, commodity management and client follow-up, while supporting retention, continuity of care, safe transitions between prevention options, and informed choice.
Target: re-engage 3,065 clients on Cabotegravir and retrain 115 healthcare workers on PrEP Choice.
Implemented in 10 districts and 23 health facilities
Supported by Aidsfonds
Accelerating access to and uptake of HIV prevention options for young women and girls in East and Southern Africa. The programme equips young ambassadors with knowledge and practical skills to challenge stigma, promote accurate HIV prevention information, facilitate peer-to-peer learning and encourage informed decision-making — building a network of young champions who influence healthier behaviours.
Target: reach 2,500 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) with HIV prevention information and services, and link 500 AGYW to all forms of PrEP.
Implemented in 3 districts and 6 health facilities
Supported by the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), an affiliate of Population Council South Africa
Ascend Futures Foundation is supporting community engagement around the dapivirine vaginal ring in Zambia. The initiative contributes to national efforts to expand access to HIV prevention by increasing awareness, improving understanding and creating demand for the PrEP ring among women and girls who may benefit from additional HIV prevention options.
Through community outreach, community dialogues, social media engagement and targeted information and education activities, we help women and girls make informed choices about HIV prevention and understand how the PrEP ring can be used. The project also connects interested women and girls with appropriate information, services and referral pathways, while strengthening community awareness and acceptance of new HIV prevention technologies.
Implemented in 1 district and 4 health facilities
Supported by Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa (APHA)
A 10-month initiative strengthening community leadership for HIV prevention in Zambia. The project collaborates with 20 trained Community HIV Prevention Ambassadors who lead community education, mobilisation and advocacy, while working with health facilities and communities to expand access to accurate prevention information, promote informed choice and strengthen community accountability through outreach, digital engagement and small group discussions.
Target: conduct 240 community sessions, collaborate with 12 health facilities on referral and linkage, and reach 20,000 women and girls with HIV prevention information and services.
Implemented in 3 districts and 12 health facilities
Supported by Ascend Futures Foundation
Community-led action to strengthen environmental awareness and build resilience to climate change, with a particular focus on school-going children. With philanthropic support, AFF has implemented school-based climate change activities that create opportunities for children to learn, engage and advocate for a healthier, more resilient environment.
At Kapwelyomba Primary School, students participated in climate change debates and spelling bee activities designed to strengthen their understanding of climate change and its impact on their health, education and overall development. More than 200 fruit-bearing trees were planted at the school and 300 school-going children were reached — contributing to a greener learning environment while encouraging children to take an active role in climate action. Students were recognised and rewarded for their participation, helping to motivate continued learning, leadership and advocacy for climate resilience.
Implemented in 1 district
In partnership with Restless Development Uganda
Working with communities in Chongwe District, within the Nkomesha Chiefdom, to prevent and respond to child marriage and strengthen the protection of children at risk. The initiative equips adolescents, families, community leaders and local structures with knowledge and practical tools on child marriage, child safeguarding and social justice — enabling communities to recognise risks earlier, report cases and take collective action to protect children.
The project strengthens the capacity of existing community and institutional structures, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and local civil society organisations. By bringing these actors together, the initiative helps build stronger protection, fill information gaps, promote safer environments for children, and support communities to challenge the social norms that enable child marriage.
Target: reach 1,000 school-going children, work with 5 primary and secondary schools and 100 community members (traditional leaders, faith-based leaders and village committee members), conduct 10 school club sessions, and reach over 10,000 people digitally with information on child marriage.
Implemented in 1 district, 12 health facilities and 12 schools
Supported by the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC)
AFF has strengthened community engagement and advocacy for the introduction of innovative biomedical HIV prevention products in Zambia, such as Lenacapavir. Our work has focused on preparing communities for new prevention options through stakeholder engagement, prevention literacy, demand generation and community readiness initiatives.
Working alongside the Ministry of Health, civil society and community partners — and with technical support from AVAC — we have contributed to creating an enabling environment for the timely introduction of new HIV prevention products. Through evidence-based advocacy, community mobilisation and strategic dialogue, we help ensure community voices remain central to Zambia's HIV prevention response, supporting the country's position as an early adopter of innovative prevention technologies.
Implemented in 1 district
Supported by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) — Zambia
A one-month pilot on community engagement to understand community willingness to access HIV prevention services in Lusaka and Kapiri Mposhi districts, delivered in collaboration with Kaunda Square Urban Clinic, Kapiri Urban Clinic and Chipata First Level Hospital.
Through community dialogues, small group discussions and one-to-one conversations, the initiative directly reached more than 500 community members, held 8 small group discussions and 41 individual engagement sessions — resulting in more than 20 people being linked to Lenacapavir services. The pilot generated strong insights into community readiness and reinforced AFF's capacity to deliver evidence-informed, community-driven interventions.
Implemented in 2 districts and 3 health facilities