Began in October 2002, the regional RiskNet program aimed to reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and other blood borne viruses through NGO outreach activities targeted at vulnerable populations such as ethnic minorities, injecting drug users (IDUs), commercial sex workers (CSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSM).

With USAID funding through September 2005, the project worked with 13 local NGOs in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, and Romania.  Thereafter through project end in December 2006, the project was supported through funding and technical assistance from a USAID sub-award with Abt Associates.

The project worked with six NGOs in 3 countries to focus on continued improvement in the reach and effectiveness of services to high-risk groups through “gatekeepers”, development of sustainability strategies for each NGO, and identification of best practices and lessons learnt from the project.  Over four years, RiskNet successfully achieved substantial growth in the number of clients served by the network as well as undertook three major research surveys on MSM, drug consumption and Roma youth.