A key aspect of Yelula/U-khâi’s work is providing grants to enhance the organisational and leadership capacity of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. Grants cover both capacity development or training, and small-scale income generating activities. These small grants support groups of people living with HIV and AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and the community based organisations and initiatives that provide support to them.

Yelula/U-khâi awards small amounts for low cost initiatives because they have found that a little makes a big difference at individual and community level.

The numerical majority of the grants are small community grants for specific initiatives, but larger organisations, including local NGOs and Regional and constituency level HIV and AIDS co-ordinating committees, are also supported. Yelula/U-khâi’s small grant programme is currently being supported by Breadline Africa in north central Namibia.

Small Grants, big involvement

Yelula/U-khâi recognises that the grants programme should provide more than just financial resources. Therefore an important feature is its emphasis on integrated support.

In order for all steps of the grant process to be accessible, potential applicants receive training on the application format, basic project management and reporting requirements. Once a grant is approved, a mentoring component is initiated, with Yelula/U-khâi Project Officers actively liasing with grantees to provide technical assistance and ensure grant integrity.

The provision of mentoring support with grants is much valued by partners, and effective in both securing the integrity of the grant as well as assisting the CBO to use the grant in the most effective manner.