Culturally and language-sensitive prevention and self-help

How we, as state-level association, strengthen local services of our member organizations

People with refugee or migrant backgrounds often face hurdles when trying to access information, counseling, and services related to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Our project breaks down these barriers. As a state-level association, we specifically fund and strengthen the intercultural work of our member organizations across Baden-Württemberg to make health equity a reality for everyone.

At the heart of our work is the empowerment of those affected: we enable individuals to take charge of their sexual health and actively participate in shaping prevention and self-help efforts.

Three closely interlinked pillars form the foundation of our approach:

Language support within facilities: We equip local teams with modern, mobile translation devices to facilitate spontaneous, eye-level communication. We also fund professional interpreters for in-depth counseling sessions and support the creation of multilingual information materials and websites. This fosters trust and a sense of security for those seeking help.
Community work through peers: We support our member organizations in training individuals from migrant communities to become "peers." Through local training sessions, participants gain in-depth knowledge regarding HIV/STI prevention, sexual diversity, and anti-discrimination. Acting as bridges, they actively share this information and enrich local prevention efforts with their own perspectives.
Competence and networking: We provide further training for staff and volunteers at member organizations to ensure practices that are sensitive to migration issues and free from discrimination. At the same time, we coordinate the statewide exchange of experience through our "Migration" working group and our annual specialist conference.

The goal: Individuals seeking advice who have a background of flight or migration gain barrier-free access to effective prevention measures and reliable information. They are empowered in their health literacy, are able to confidently voice their concerns in a safe space, and find an easy path into supportive self-help networks.