In many countries, especially in recent years, representatives of key population unite for the fullest represent their interests in the creation of public policy.

Motivation to unite may be different – an increase of influence over the government to include the needs of key groups to the national strategic plans; joint efforts for protecting rights and freedoms of key groups; as well as a mobilisation of financial resources, for example, on the donor’s request.

The situation in Ukraine in some aspects reflects the situation in some post-Soviet countries. Interests of key populations are underrepresented in decision-making authorities related to access to health and social services, as well as in human rights organisations. Very often on behalf of the key groups speak the representatives of HIV-service organisations, but not communities organisations. The donors’ vision and HIV-service organisations’ possibilities are not always the same as the actual needs of key populations, respectively part of the programs is not enough focused on the needs of communities. Communities organisations developed unequally – there are communities with great experience of advocacy and work with international donors, but there are those who are only at the initial stage of development and need the support of more experienced activists.

These facts are regularly mentioned in different meetings. The meeting which was held in the framework of Tripartite cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Joint United Nations  Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and civil society in October 2015 in Kyiv wasn’t an exception. The idea of a creation of the Country Key Populations Platform was announced at that meeting for the first time. The Platform would be an independent structure, an information platform or a working group of representatives of key communities for sharing experiences, ensuring their dialogue and developing a common position and advocacy messages, as well as their representation in public bodies, working groups and other donor organisations. The platform would facilitate the collection of data on the needs of communities, their mobilisation and development.

Like any idea, the process of creation of the Platform wasn’t easy. It was necessary to understand the level of interest of communities members in such union, pre-define objects, analyse possible risks, including the possibility of the Platform viable without a separate grant. The initiative working group was formed in 2016. It included the most active representatives of LGBTIQ community, sex workers and people using drugs. Partners of Tripartite cooperation UNAIDS and ICF “AIDS Foundation East-West” (AFEW-Ukraine) helped in the organisation and facilitation of the group’s work. Together AFEW-Ukraine and the LGBT Association “Liga”, long-time partners in the project “Bridging the gaps: Health and rights for key populations“, found the necessary funding to hold an organisational forum. Forum participants were selected on a competitive basis for the maximum representation of the interests of all key populations from different regions of Ukraine and to ensure participation of the most motivated and active members of the community. We received 98 applications and chose 34 representatives of LGBTIQ community, sex workers, people using drugs and former prisoners from the 13 regions of Ukraine.

I organisational forum for the creation of the Country Key Populations Platform was held on 27-28 January 2017. Forum participants were welcomed by the director of the Center for Public Health prof. Natalia Nizova, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Maaike van Koldam and UNAIDS country coordinator Jacek Tyszko. They made it clear that government organisations and international partners respect the community needs and want to cooperate with the Platform if it is created. Olena Voskresenska, AFEW-Ukraine executive director, presented the ideas of possible forms of Platform work, mentioned the main problematic issues of coordination of communities and possible ways of solutions of these issues for coordinated advocacy. Dr Maria Boltaeva, Human Rights and Gender Equality Adviser, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for EECA, Maria Boltaeva made an analysis of the mechanisms of coordination of various communities vulnerable to HIV that work effectively in EECA. Also, Anton Basenko and Velta Parkhomenko presented the National unite of people living with drug addiction.

The main result of the Forum was a decision on an establishment of the Country Platform as an association of representatives of communities with a common information space for a constant exchange of information and joint decision making.

After heated discussions, the participants identified the main advocacy priorities in the field of access to health services, social security and human rights for the next 2-3 years. Three key areas of advocacy that are important for all communities were identified:

• “Nothing for us without us” – the participation of communities decision-making regarding health, effective response to HIV, TV and protection of the rights;
• “We need services” – to provide access to services for vulnerable groups focused on communities needs; are implemented by the community and are funded by national and local budgets;
• “Anti-discrimination” – the protection of rights, counter to discrimination by the police, decriminalisation and legalisation.

Among the representatives who were delegated by participants from different communities, it was set up a coordinating working group.

The system of formation of a common representation was tested during the Forum at a meeting with the heads of the Ministry of Health. 3 members were selected and they agreed a better way to reports a common message to the participants of the meeting. After the meeting, the delegates informed the Forum participants about the results of the Platform presentation. An important lesson is that the representatives of the different communities agreed very well on common messages and are ready to defend each other against discrimination. The experience of detailed results was also significant. Such feedback is very important for those who have delegated representatives of communities and allow to receive timely information about national processes and the ability to influence on them.