Hivpoint in brief

Hivpoint logo mustalla tekstillä ja punaisella nauhalogolla.

Hivpoint promotes health, wellbeing and equality for those most affected by HIV. Hivpoint focuses on prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and supports both people living with HIV, their loved ones and people concerned about HIV. Hivpoint provides testing, support and counselling services related to HIV and other STIs.

What is the purpose of Hivpoint?

  • Preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
  • Promoting and supporting the wellbeing of people living with HIV
  • Promoting equality and human rights of people living with HIV
  • Offering support and counselling services for Hivpoint’s target groups
  • Developing counselling and testing services for the aim of preventing HIV and other STIs

What are the target groups of Hivpoint?

Hivpoint’s target groups include people living with HIV and population groups that are more vulnerable to HIV infection in Finland. Effective prevention of HIV requires services to be offered to people from these population groups.

Hipoint’s target groups:

  • People living with HIV and their family and close ones
  • Gay, bi and other men who have sex with men
  • Migrants and refugees
  • Travelers with increased risk of HIV infection

When was Hivpoint founded?

Hivpoint was first founded in 1986 as the AIDS support center (Aid-tukikeskus). The organization was turned into foundation in 1997 and The Finnish HIV Foundation (Hiv-säätiö) was founded. The AIDS support center changed its name to HIV support center (Hiv-tukikeskus) in 2011 and to Hivpoint in 2017. Hivpoint is still managed by The Finnish HIV foundation.

Who manages Hivpoint?

Hivpoint is managed by the Finnish HIV Foundation. The HIV Foundation is not affiliated with any specific ideology or religion. The Foundation is managed and represented by its board, which consists of six members and six vice members. In 2023-2024, the chair of the board is Aino-Kaisa Pekonen (MP, Left Alliance in Finland) and the vice chairman is Risto Hartikainen and the second vice chairman Linda Eklöf.

What is the yearly budget of Hivpoint and how is it funded?

Hivpoint’s annual budget is approximately 700 000 Euros. The main sponsor is the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), whose financial support covers around 80 per cent of the Foundation’s costs.

Part of the funding comes from the City of Helsinki. Private companies have also funded Hivpoint, such as medical companies GSK Finland and Gilead Sciences Finland.

Does Hivpoint take donations?

Donations from private individuals are a significant addition to our funding. All of the donated funds go towards HIV work in Finland. Read more about our donating options from here.