At the end of March, Warsaw hosted a two-day meeting of partners involved in the United for Health & Life project, which brings together organizations from Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, and Poland. Representatives of HelpNowHUB Foundation, 100% Life, 100 Percent Life Germany, and Noaks Ark Mosaik came together to align their shared vision for the project, strengthen cross-country coordination, and lay the groundwork for practical next steps in the HIV response.
The discussions focused on the key building blocks of the future collaboration: how the project model should function in practice, which interventions are likely to be most effective, how responsibilities should be distributed among partners, and what common approaches are needed to support people and communities affected by the HIV epidemic. The strategic session also addressed partner roles, expected results, risks, and the next stages in developing the initiative.
The first working day also included a visit to one of Warsaw’s clubs that serves as a safe social space for the LGBTIQA+ community. In an open and welcoming environment, participants had the opportunity to observe how a peer-support model works in practice — from HIV and STI testing to counselling and follow-up support.
The following day was dedicated to a meeting with Polish NGOs, in particular the organization FES. During the exchange, participants discussed the local context and approaches that have already proven effective in Poland, as well as international good practices that have demonstrated strong results abroad. For the international team, this was an opportunity not only to better understand the Polish experience, but also to identify solutions that may be relevant and adaptable in other partner countries.
“For us, this meeting in Warsaw was not only a platform for strategic planning, but also a space for strengthening trust between partners. It is through this kind of cooperation that we can develop solutions that respond to the real needs of communities and help countries address the challenges of the HIV epidemic more effectively,” said Anna Ariabinska, President of HelpNowHUB Foundation.
The meeting in Warsaw marked another important step toward stronger international partnership and the development of innovative practices that will help participating countries respond more effectively to HIV-related challenges.
The project is implemented with the support of the Swedish Institute (Svenska institutet) within the framework of the Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme.