The Lao Network of people living with HIV/AIDS was established in 2003 under the umbrella of the Lao Red Cross to work with people living with HIV/AIDS nationwide with an emphasis on 12 provinces, based on decrees of Association No. 115/PM, dated April 29, 2009. The LNP+ was registered and approved as a legal entity in June 28, 2012 as the Association of People Living with HIV/AIDs Network (APL+). In 2011, the APL+ expanded the network into 12 provinces (12 self-support groups) around the country with 707 members, including 341 women. The total members are currently 1,200 people, including 404 women, who registered with self-support groups (SG).  There are 32 permanent members including 14 women in 13 SG in 13 provinces namely Vientiane capital, Vientiane province, Xayabouly, Laungprabang, Udomxay, Laungnamtha, Borkeo, Houphan, Bolikhamxay, Khammoun, Savanaketh, Salavan, and Champasak). These provinces are divided into 3 regions (Northern, Middle and Southern). In each region, there are 3 people taking a leading role within the network . The vision and mission of the APL+ are as follows: Vision:  That people who are living with and are affected by HIV/AIDS have a better quality of life and that all PLHIV have equal rights in society and are able to live without stigma and discrimination. Mission:  APL+ is strengthening the coordination in partnerships with the Lao government and CSOs as well as CBOs responding to HIV/AIDS in Lao PDR. APL+ is the key representative and key voice of PLHIV in Laos. To be involved with all programmes related to HIV/AIDS responses and services, to build the capacity for PLHIV at all levels and to respond to the national HIV/AIDS strategic plan.

The main aim of this project Empowering the hidden voices of people living with HIV AIDS is to provide support, through technical training, to HIV positive women, men and Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) who are organised in self-help groups members and working in local hospitals. The project activities take place in three regions, Northern : Laungprabang, Sayayabury, Udomxay, Houphan, Laungnamtha, Borkeo, Central: Vientiane province , Vientiane capital, Bolikhamxay and Southern: Kammoun, Savanaketh, Salavan  and Champasack. These areas where specifically chosen due to the existence of a number of self-help groups that support People living with HIV/AIDS in surrounding communities, these are also the areas where there is  still high self-stigma and in some cases discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). A survey conducted between 2015-2016 showed that 39% of people living HIV/AIDS have a sense of self stigma. Whilst conducting the following activities this program also strives to assist in the national efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDs through contributing to the national HIV/AIDS strategy plan 2016-2020. The empowerment grant will strengthen the capacity of PLHIV in the areas of mentoring and communication for 25 HIV positive people. The group consists of 7 HIV+ MSM, 10 HIV+ men and 8 HIV+ women). These individuals are members of self- help groups and are working at/with local hospitals. APL+ is going to identify and employ an expert in the fields of psychology and communication to provide training for these groups. The desired outcome is to increase the knowledge, confidence and motivation of the target groups and as a result increasing the target group’s capacity to provide mental coaching and consultation to others living with HIV in their community. APL+ strongly believes that empowering leaders within the selected provinces to strengthen the capacity of people living with HIV to support themselves and those in their communities is an effective way to address the self-stigma and discrimination and ensure that their opinions and concerns are voiced and heard.