Project overall objective is to prevent the transmission of HIV and other infections in high-risk group and bridging population in project area. Whereas project purpose is to develop and strengthen specially targeted network of LTCs for HIV/AIDS prevention among IDUs and bridging population in the project area by addressing issues of awareness on HIV and other infections and decreasing risk behaviour of target groups.

A transnational network will be set-up and various meetings nationally, at all levels and amongthe participating countries are planned. Material for the LTC will be produced. Staff will be trained and an awareness campaign for local stakeholders will be carried out. Dissemination will an important part of the project, including local, national and cross-national dissemination via press releases but also TV spots.

The first attempts to address the HIV spread among IDUs in the Baltics were made in 1990s with the noticeable international assistance. Focus was on needle exchange; later outreach activities and free HIV tests started. The current developments call for a sustained and expanded strategy for reaching both the core and the bridging population for HIV transmission. Implemented programs dealt with: harm reduction (syringe exchange/ counselling/ referral), establishing locally based LTCs and state-municipal partnership, starting outreach work, developing methodology of epidemiological data gathering. However, the LTCs needs wider context, methodological assistance and access to the best practices. The situation in 3 Baltic States is similar and forms a good bases for further coordinated actions to tackle the problem in the wider area not only within national borders. Successful strategies require exchange of experience, coordinated approach and unified work tools and methods. Project activities related to the set up of two important networks are directly contributing to the new challenges and their successful implementation will allow filling the existing gaps and raising the work on the new level.

Establishment of the transnational network among project partners and other relevant actors in the Baltic States and partner countries with the aim to tackle the threat of epidemic, incl. establishment and maintenance of web-page for increased communication among Net partners and making info available for other interested parties and the development of the LTCs Net to ensure appropriate integration between health and social primary care to promote risk reduction and to facilitate access to the services.