The role of EANNASO is to support the institutional architecture of national networks in contributing to the HIV and AIDS response in the region. This role is seen by many Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), governments and donors who are key actors as fostering a harmonized regional response and a common voice for civil society.

The need to have one regional voice for ASOs aligned to national AIDS agendas was first identified through research commissioned by HIVOS in 1994. Informed by the findings of the research study, NGOs from three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) with support from HIVOS and other partners formed a regional AIDS NGOs Network in East Africa (ANNEA) in 1994. The overall objective of ANNEA was to serve as a regional network for joint advocacy, capacity building and experience sharing for NGOs working in the three countries.

In view of the growing changes in the external environment around 1999 - such as the emergence of stronger country-based networks of AIDS Service Organisations, increase in requests for NGO membership to ANNEA and demand for technical assistance among ASOs - ANNEA was transformed into EANNASO with support from UNAIDS in 2002 to effectively respond to these changes. Currently, EANNASO is working with 15 national networks of AIDS Service Organisations in 14 countries (Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Uganda, Rwanda, Somali, Sudan, Tanzania, Seychelles and Zanzibar) with its headquarters based in Arusha, Tanzania. The scope of work of EANNASO is broadly defined by the following four key programme areas:

• Networking Support & Development - Capacity development through technical support for long-term institutional strengthening and sustainability of National Networks (EANNASO Members). The capacity development is also aimed at improving coordination and harmonization of CSOs at country level.

• Policy and Advocacy - Advocacy for responsive HIV and AIDS policies at regional level as well as strengthening National Networks in representation, policy research, analysis and interpretation at country level.

• Information, Communication & Research - Provision of evidence based information through research and documentation, as well as facilitation of information sharing, effective communication and knowledge management etc within and beyond the region.

• Institutional development - to ensure that the capacity and resource infrastructure of the secretariat is best placed to facilitate/support member networks in making significant contributions to their respective national responses.

Strategic Focus

The EANNASO three year strategic plan document has been serving as the centre piece for internal organisational programming, management and accountability. The Strategic plan stems out of a consultative re-visioning and programmatic process which positioned EANNASO to undertake the following strategic focus in programmes:

• To serve as the foremost authoritative source of intelligence and knowledge on HIV and AIDS related issues in the region through information gathering and sharing, documentation and cutting edge research.
  

• To facilitate the provision of technical support (both programmatic and institutional) for country networks and act as a link between country networks and sources of funding.
  

• To reaffirm EANNASO's position in the region as a strong united voice for civil society advocacy and policy engagement on specific critical issues of regional importance.
  

• To work at developing fully functional and legitimate national networks of AIDS service organizations with the necessary capacities and resources; that deliver services at grassroots level and producing evidence of developmental changes in the lives of people.

The consultative and deliberative processes reaffirmed the need for EANNASO to concretize the above and remain resolute in its value offerings in the region towards a more effective and better informed response to HIV and AIDS.

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