We promote dialogue in the HIV/AIDS sector by:

• Influencing government policy and plans
• Representing NACOSA members on the Provincial AIDS Council and other government forums
• Lobbying for increased resources for civil society action
• Lobbying for increased treatment, care and support services
• Promoting increased civil society participation

PROVINCIAL STRATEGIC PLAN (PSP) CONSULTATIVE PROCESS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
The Networking Aids Community of South Africa (NACOSA), in partnership with civil society, specifically the TAC and the Aids Legal Network, as well as the Provincial Department of Health has facilitated a series of consultative community forums in the six health districts of the Western Cape to compare, discuss and critically debate the Provincial Draft Plan and make suggestions for aligning it with the National Strategic Plan (2007-2011).  These meetings were attended by members of the NACOSA HIV/AIDS network and the members of affiliated organisations, as well as Departmental and Municipal representatives.  The minutes of the full process (56 page document) is available from NACOSA.  Please contact info@nacosa.org.za for a copy.

NACOSA Director, Maureen Van Wyk, has also summarized this in a "working document" which was presented to the Provincial Aids Council on the 12th of June 2008.  This document is available on our website - Download this document

The following were tabled at the PAC meeting:

- The information and recommendations from the summary report  "working document" will be incorporated in the existing draft plan and also forwarded to all Government Departments who are part of PIDAC (Provincial Inter Departmental Aids Committee) for their cognisance and implementation;
- The Provincial Aids Council (instead of PIDAC, who seems not to have the capacity to coordinate this process, will take the responsibility to finalise the Provincial Strategic Plan (PSP), in order to put a plan on the table for further consultation (with focus on coordinated planning and implementation) on district and sub-district levels;
- A working committee to finalise the PSP has been appointed - the Department of Health, Local Government (represented by the City of Cape Town), Business Sector (SABCOAH) and the Civil Society HIV/AIDS NGO sector (represented by NACOSA) will take the lead  - inputs from all sectors represented on the PAC are however expected and will be welcomed;
- The PAC accepted the recommendation from civil society that the consultative process (with the focus on coordianted planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS activities, aligned towards NSP and PSP targets) will continue on district and sub-district levels and recognises the Multi Sectoral Action Teams (MSAT's) as local coordinating mechanisms in developing and coordinating a repsonse to community HIV/AIDS needs;
- An evaluation on the effectiveness of MSAT's (to coordinate local HIV/AIDS responses ) is underway and might inform the future development of this process;
- It is also acknowledged that, for local coordinating mechanisms to function effectively, all sectors (including business) should be involved and that government and local authorities should nominate representatives with decision making power to attend these forums;
- NACOSA will facilitate the participation of their HIV/AIDS NGO/CBO networking partners in this process of compiling district and sub-district HIV/AIDS plans and will liaise with all relevant parties in this regard;
- Any inputs/recommendations are welcomed and could be forwarded to NACOSA or contact Mr Jimmy Ledwaba at the Department of Health, Western Cape.

NACOSA would like to thank all our partners for participating in this process and are looking forward to your continued inputs and commitment to ensure a strong, united response to HIV/AIDS in the Western Cape.

Provincial AIDS Council
NACOSA represents HIV and AIDS non-government and community-based organisations on the Provincial AIDS Council and ensures that issues and concerns are raised at the highest level. We give feedback from the Council to our members at regular regional forum meetings.

Networking with government departments
Our work means we attend many meetings with government departments and other decision-making bodies to help build stronger relationships between government and civil society. Our aim is to build stronger, more participatory mechanisms for the allocation of funds. We will continue to do this - facilitating the process of joint evaluation, planning and funding applications for specific regions and amongst partner organisations.