Programme

ICASA 2025 Call for Community Village Activities


As the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025) convenes under the banner “Africa in Action: Catalysing Integrated Sustainable Responses to End AIDS, TB & Malaria,” the conference reinforces the urgency of united, community-led, and systems-based approaches to achieving health for all.

The ICASA 2025 Community Village is a central feature of this year’s gathering—a dynamic, inclusive, and interactive space that places communities at the heart of Africa’s health response. It is a space for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Key Populations, Community Leaders, Activists, Persons with Disabilities, Women, Faith-Based Groups, Artists, Youth, and Civil Society Organizations to share innovations, tell their stories, showcase services and build solidarity across the continent and beyond.

What is the Community Village?

The Community Village is more than a free community space, open to the general public and delegates. It is a critical space. A space where lived experiences meet policy, where culture and health intersect, and where advocacy and action are co-created by communities themselves.

For ICASA 2025, the Community Village will be held in person at the main conference venue in Ghana. The Village will feature 9 themed networking zones, 1 open dialogue session, creative performances, health screenings, grassroots exhibitions, and interactive learning corners—highlighting the rich diversity of Africa’s community-led health responses.

Call for Proposals

We are inviting proposals for activities that resonate with the conference theme and promote interactive, inclusive, integrated, community-driven responses and engaging activities to:

  • HIV and AIDS
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Malaria
  • Emerging infectious diseases
  • Health systems strengthening
  • Gender equality, human rights, and social justice
  • Innovations in Health financing within community led initiatives

Selection Criteria

  1. Activity Description

    Outline the nature of the activity, specifying how it fits within the Community Village schedule (45-minute sessions preferred). Activities should be feasible, engaging, and promote dialogue and learning.

  2. Methodology

    Demonstrate how your activity will involve and appeal to diverse audiences—youth, PLHIV, key populations, policy makers, health professionals, development partners, the UN system and more. Dialogue-driven. interactive and inclusive formats are encouraged.

  3. Relevance to Theme

    Demonstrate clear alignment with the ICASA 2025 theme and the broader objectives of the Community programme, including sustainable, people-centered, and integrated health responses or broader health response in Africa.

  4. Networking Zone

    Identify the relevant Networking Zone for your activity on the online submission form (e.g., Youth, Persons with disability, Women etc.). Each activity will be placed accordingly to facilitate thematic interaction.

Travel & Participation

Participants based outside Ghana are responsible for their own travel costs, visa applications, and travel insurance. ICASA 2025 will not be covering travel-related expenses for Community Village participants. The Community village is free and is open to delegates and the general public throughout the duration of the conference.

Key dates

  • Launch: 7th May 2025
  • Application Submission Opens: 1st May 2025
  • Deadline: 30th June 2025

Notification of Outcomes: All submitters (successful and rejected applications) will be notified by email after the review and selection process is complete post -Marathon meeting in August 2025.

Submissions & Enquiries

Submit your application here

Any enquiries concerning your Community Village proposal submitted should be addressed to communityvillage@saafrica.org

Please note that all information submitted will be treated as confidential and used solely for ICASA 2025 and its affiliated activities.