Impact
SLF Impact
The SLF’s work is grounded in our firm belief that the expertise needed to end the HIV epidemic is found at the community level, but sufficient funding for community-led organizations is not. Since the SLF was established in 2003, we have channelled resources directly, reliably, and accountably to our partners. Through their work, they are cutting the HIV epidemic off at its roots in Africa.
Our SLF partners have taught us that to measure the full impact of responses to HIV and AIDS, we need to understand what success looks like over the long term, for individuals, families, and communities. While lasting change is better understood through the testimonies and experiences of communities, it is clear that our grassroots partners’ reach is tangibly changing the lives of individuals affected by HIV and AIDS.
SLF partners made remarkable impact in their communities last year. Some highlights are:
2.1 million
accessed critical services for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health and rights
650,000+
received health care services, including home-based care and mental health support.
67,000+
people living with and affected by HIV gained income-generating skills and financial literacy to improve their economic well-being.
62,000+
children and young people, with a focus on girls, received educational support.
466,000
accessed protection, like legal support and safe spaces, including survivors of gender-based violence.
711,000+
were reached through advocacy for the rights of LGBTIQ communities and disadvantaged groups.
7,500+
grandmothers, supported by 94% of SLF partners, mobilized to participate in local governance, awareness and advocacy activities.
86,000+
reached through programs to increase climate resilience and improve food and income security and the impact on women and girls.
“It’s so amazing, because the big organizations cannot reach the local level, but we are here and we are with the community. We are hands on. Even during lockdown, we can carry on supporting the community. Thank you for understanding us. Without your method of support, this community would be suffering a lot.”
— Sthembile Ndlovu, Director at Izimbali Zesizwe, an SLF partner in South Africa
Advocacy and solidarity in action
In addition to working with community-led organizations in Africa, year after year, we continue to create meaningful opportunities for our SLF community – our partners and supporters – to gather, connect, learn and advocate. Building capacity and global solidarity is key to our collective efforts to end AIDS.
International AIDS Conferences
where SLF staff and partners have joined forces to champion the power of community-led HIV responses.
International Roundtables
bringing community-led organizations together to network, share strategies and build capacity in areas of work including, home-based care, youth, LGBTIQ health and human rights, and ending violence against women and girls
Ask Her Talks speaker series
for leaders, advocates and activists to share their expertise internationally
SLF Pride Talks
for SLF partners and allied organizations to raise global awareness of their work to defend health and human rights for LGBTIQ communities in African countries and around the world
Coalitions and working groups
where SLF staff collaborate with allied organizations on key advocacy goals, amplify our partners’ priorities, and build the movement of funders committed to quality funding for community-led organizations
Learning resources
amplifying the effectiveness of community-led organizations, providing practical insights, and building support for community-led responses to the HIV epidemic
International grandmothers solidarity movement
In 2006, the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign was launched in response to the crisis faced by African grandmothers as they raised a generation orphaned by AIDS. Since then, an international grandmothers movement has gained momentum, powered by leadership, resilience and solidarity.
Grandmothers Gatherings
in Canada, Eswatini, Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania, including regional gatherings across 11 countries in 2024
Grandmothers Consortiums
established in Uganda and South Africa and a growing grandmothers movement around the world
Groundbreaking African Grandmothers Tribunal
International humanitarian awards
from the Lions Club International (2024) for “exemplary humanitarian efforts” and from the Geneva Forum for Health (2018) for “proven, disruptive innovations that have the potential to become global best practice.”
Active groups
in the Grandmothers Campaign in Canada, USA, UK and Australia
Grandmothers Campaign members
raising funds and awareness while working in solidarity not charity
Special Reports
For more in-depth insight and impact highlights, please read our Year in Review reports, Special Reports on specific areas of work, and partner features in other SLF Publications.
Year in Review
PEFO’s founder on partnership with the SLF
Justine Ojambo, founder and executive director of Phoebe Education Fund for AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children (PEFO), in Uganda, talks about PEFO’s advocacy around housing for grandmothers and the impact of the SLF’s partnership model for the organization’s work.