The programme partners have established a selection process for countries to join the programme, with special consideration to the level of HIV prevalence, presence and capacity of PLHIV networks and Civil Society organizations, potential to influence regionally, commitment from the countries to engage on Human Rights related issues, as well as other specifics.

GNP+ will ensure that national networks of people living with HIV are supported to develop national plans, which will include well-designed monitoring and evaluation techniques and tools. Networks will undertake evaluations of the processes and outcomes and share lessons learned as well as participate in the civil society coordination platforms.

WAC will ensure that national campaign platforms are supported to develop their national campaign and mobilisation plans, which will include monitoring and evaluation processes. WAC will undertake evaluations of the national and sub-regional meetings and outcomes during the first year and national steering groups will undertake this during the second year and share lessons learned in the bi-annual global campaigners meeting of national partners.

In the first year (2008-2009) GNP+ and WAC are working with the PLHIV networks and Civil Society partners in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. The second year (2009-2011) countries are: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Moldova, South Africa.

The HIV Leadership through Accountability programme is focused on the evidence-based advocacy and campaigning, it is essential that national data is captured, recorded and published in order to inform and strengthen national, regional and international efforts. The work must be implemented with a bottom-up approach, informed by community responses, and strengthened by South-South collaboration.

Examples of best practice and lessons learned will be disseminated via a diverse range of communications tools, new publications as well as websites and listserves coordinated by national networks, GNP+ and WAC.

The programme will enable national networks of people living with HIV to build a solid evidence-base about why it is important to achieve universal access and how this can happen in practice through the meaningful participation of people living with HIV.

The information gathered will inform national-level priorities and the delivery of HIV programmes with a focus on key issues. It would enable national governments to deliver coordinated and effective responses to HIV and AIDS. More importantly, it would also highlight the unique role of civil society, including people living with HIV networks, in working with governments to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate programmes that contribute to realising targets for expanding access to HIV care, treatment and prevention.