In a major public-private partnership initiative, Population Services International (PSI), a non governmental organization with financial assistance from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) formed the 'Connect' project. An aid of Rs five crore has been disbursed an initial funding by the USAID.

The key objectives of Connect is to address HIV/AIDS in Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Around 36 companies are enrolled so far in the two states and the staff will be given training and education on HIV/AIDS and related issues. It is also working closely with corporate houses to come out with an HIV policy for its workforce and to be associated with the health centres and NGOs. Karnataka has been identified as one of the high prevalence states for HIV/AIDS in the country.

Under the PPP, a consortium has been formed where the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Y R Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRGCARE) and the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) to assist in the execution of programme. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the technical support partner for the project.

George Deikun, USAID mission director, affirmed the US government's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in India. He also noted that the Connect would supports the Government of India's strategy to encourage private sector involvement in HIV/AIDS programming.

A key focus of the project is to mobilize and support companies to implement HIV/AIDS training programmes for their own staff as well as to develop a HIV/AIDS work-place policy for their workforce. "Till date, we have enrolled 37 companies in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and we aim to reach out to many more" reported Sanjay Chaganti, Programme director, PSI.

PSI has through the partnership has been able to generate over Rs 40 lakh from the private sector by associating with Apollo Tyres and Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals. "We are looking to engage more public and private sector companies to support HIV/AIDS programmes for informal workers and larger communities through their corporate social responsibility initiatives" stated Chaganti.