Following the series of consultations and workshops held as part of this project, MSM and Transgender (TG) community members decided to form a national organisation run for and by PNG MSM and TG.

In 2012, AFAO will continue to work with the new organisation and broader MSM/TG communities to support their greater participation in PNG’s HIV response.

From July 2009 to December 2011, the project was implemented in partnership with The Poro Sapot Project (Save the Children PNG) and the Two Spirits Program (Queensland Association for Healthy Communities) and funded by Sanap Wantaim, AusAID PNG.

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of MSM and Transgender people in PNG to identify, articulate and advocate for their HIV-related needs, and to more actively participate in the development of national HIV policies and programs that shape how HIV services are delivered.

The project's primary objectives are to:

1. Strengthen community leadership capacity amongst a core group of MSM and Transgender people.
2. Increase the number of MSM who have benefited from peer support, networking and training opportunities relevant to HIV
3. Increase understanding of the HIV-related needs of PNG MSM and Transgender people amongst donor organisations, relevant Government agencies and MSM and Transgender people themselves
4. Strengthen the capacity of MSM and Transgender people in PNG to articulate and advocate for their HIV-related needs
5. Develop recommendations for HIV-related work that can be designed and undertaken by MSM in PNG for MSM in PNG
6. Strengthen linkages between MSM in PNG and MSM across the region

The project (2009-2011) had two inter-linked components.

Component 1 - Fostering the development of MSM and Transgender leadership capacity

A Leadership Development Group (LDG) was established at the outset of the project. The LDG comprised existing and potential MSM and Transgender community leaders in PNG. This group participated in a number of capacity development activities aimed at strengthening community leadership skills. The LDG also:

• Provided input into the project by drawing on their own experiences and expertise.
• Acted as points of communication for MSM and Transgenders across PNG so that the project is informed by, and able to effectively reach, the broader MSM and Transgender communities.

LDG representatives also participated at the Bali ICAAP Conference and the MSM pre conference satellite (August 2009). This provided opportunities to strengthen the knowledge and skills of participants in a range of MSM and Transgender and HIV related areas; highlight the needs and priorities of PNG MSM to the region; and provide opportunities to establish and/or strengthen relationships with other MSM and Transgenders and their organisations across Asia and the Pacific.

Component 2 - MSM networking and learning opportunities

The second component involved holding a series of consultations and workshops. This will include two large scale workshops held in Port Moresby and Lae. These activities provided important discussions, peer support, networking, and skills development opportunities for the broader MSM and Transgender community.

The consultations and workshops brought together MSM and Transgender people not just as service users, but as participants in a process to articulate what MSM and Transgender people in PNG require to respond to HIV. This assists in the development of programs and policies that better reflect MSM and Transgender peoples’ needs and priorities and facilitate their participation in the design and delivery of services.