Regional networks of CEECA discuss key challenges and set priorities for the nearest future

Regional networks of Central, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia (CEECA)* and their global counterparts are holding a meeting on 29-30 January in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which will focus on identifying priorities for the nearest future and sharing best practices. The participants will strive to arrive at shared understanding and definitions of key issues for key populations in CEECA. EHRN’s Executive Director Sergey Votyagov, Program Director Anna Dovbakh and Steering Committee Co-chair Nino Tsereteli are representing the organization at the meeting.

Regional and global networks make persistent efforts in advocacy, mobilization, capacity building and networking of key populations in CEECA region.

“There is no single or a collective of networks who would have sufficient financial or know-how resources to address all the challenges experienced by the key populations in CEECA. Therefore, it is important for global and regional networks to partner in addressing these challenges and pool their resources in order to benefits communities,” Ms. Dovbakh, facilitator of the meeting, explains the reasons for organizing the meeting in Amsterdam.

Among other issues, participants to the meeting will also discuss possibilities of the networks to complement each others’ efforts at global and regional levels to address its key challenges, such as violations of human rights, criminalization, lack of funding and alike. The networks’ representatives expect to achieve mutual understanding and solidarity in order to set and achieve common goals in the region.

The meeting is organized by regional and global networks – recipients of the 2016-2018 Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund (RCNF) grants: Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN), East Europe & Central Asia Union of People Living with HIV (ECUO), Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM), Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN), Eurasian Network of People Who Use Drugs (ENPUD), International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD), Global Network For Sex Worker Projects (GNSWP), Men Who Have Sex With Men Global Forum (MSMGF), Global Network for and by People Living with HIV (GNP+).

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