Drawing on archival materials, in-depth qualitative interviews with current and former HIVactivists,
and participant observation at HIV prevention organizations in Ukraine, I sketch
the history and recent activities of HIV-activists organizations. The research allowed me to
identify the role of civil society organizations in health policy processes, practices and types
of HIV-activism, and challenges for this activism’s development. The paper shows that major
transformations have occurred in both service provision and policy practices, including the
introduction of the national and regional coordination councils. These councils enforce the
horizontal level of public policy, as well as changing the public’s opinion regarding HIV-positive
people and the measures to combat HIV. The international organizations and their beneficiaries
in Ukraine are the main challengers to existing practices and the driving forces for changes in
public health policy and the strengthening of participatory approaches.