Behaviour change is the process adopting and maintaining positive health behaviour or discarding harmful practices. Activities which focus on information, education and communications as the primary means of motivating positive health behaviour are generally referred to as information, education and communications (IEC). The underlying assumption of an IEC programme is that awareness and knowledge would lead to self-introspection and personal awareness. Behaviour change interventions do presume however, that awareness of personal norms, self assessments and continuous reinforcements might lead to positive societal and individual actions.

The national response to HIV and AIDS recognizes the power of BCIC to motivate HIV-protective behaviour. BCIC is also an essential component of treatment programmes and initiatives for impact mitigation. Many sectors and industries have now instituted communications for HIV and AIDS as an integral part of their HIV and AIDS programmes.  These are complemented by use of a variety of channels such as mass media, radio, outdoor and print.

In order to adopt and maintain HIV-preventive behaviour Botswana has embarked upon multisectoral approach that emphasizes:

National Strategy  for strengthening BCIC developed in 2006 provides a common framework to be used by all sectors and focuses on three important areas:

Several ministries and private organizations are developing sector-specific  BCIC strategies to address issues pertaining to their organizations in a focused manner. Opportunities for developing sound prevention programmes and promotional materials continue to exist through the newly endorsed National Operational Plan for Scaling HIV Prevention , Mid-Term Review of the National Strategic Framework (NSF) and ensuing discussions on the next NSF (NSF II).
SADC has been responding to the HIV epidemic for more than two decades and one of the most useful avenues for strengthening this response has been through sharing of Best Practices and producing guiding documents .
National IEC-related programmes and campaigns undertaken by NACA or partners and partners are varied in nature and approach.  While many of these would include mass media programmes, advertorials or promotions, some are purely community mobilization activities.

A variety of channels have been employed including

• Print, outdoor and billboard
• Radio, television and
• Other forms of memorabilia

The following can be accessed:
1. Multiple Concurrent Partnerships 
2. Safe Male Circumcision (through Ministry of Health)
3. World AIDS Day 2002 
4. World AIDS Campaign 2008

Funding related to HIV and AIDS is channelled the same way as all other government funds. Funds are committed to NACA on behalf of all government ministries. NACA then disburses monies to respective ministries in accordance with Project Memoranda that have ordinarily been submitted to NACA for approval.

Any organization, institution or groups of individuals are eligible for HIV and AIDS funding as it is normal practice across government. However, Community based organizations (CBOs), National AIDS Council (NCA) sectors etc do receive financial resources through parent ministries. Their project memoranda would have been discussed and approved by the line ministry for onward recommendation to NACA for funding. Call-for-proposal systems are also used at the local level to channel funding to CBOs on the ground.

Funding related to HIV and AIDS is channelled the same way as all other government funds. Funds are committed to NACA on behalf of all government ministries. NACA then disburses monies to respective ministries in accordance with Project Memoranda that would have ordinarily been submitted to NACA for approval.

Any organization, institution or groups of individuals are eligible for HIV and AIDS funding as it is normal practice across government. However, Community based organizations (CBOs), National AIDS Council (NCA) sectors etc do receive financial resources through parent ministries. Their project memoranda would have been discussed and approved by the line ministry for onward recommendation to NACA for funding. Call-for-proposal systems are also used at the local level to channel funding to CBOs on the ground.

Procedures, forms and contract details are available on request at NACA. Funding mechanisms may differ according to the development partner or a donour. Most donour funds such as those from ACHAP, PEPFAR for instance or other partners is channelled through government systems. Of cause other small amounts from these organizations are sourced directly.

NACA mobilizes, disburses and monitors the utilization of resources for HIV and AIDS programmes. On receipt of project memoranda from stakeholders NACA assesses and facilitates the disbursement of funds to applicants. Funding here refers to both the Development (DDF) and the Recurrent Budgets. NACA also mobilizes financial resources from donor organizations and/or countries and disburses them accordingly.
 
Financial resources that Botswana receives from countries and donour institutions in the name HIV and AIDS are received by NACA and/or Ministry of Finance on behalf of Government. The resources are then channelled to recipients through a Call-for-Proposal system, the normal government system or any other formats. Currently Botswana is receiving financial assistance from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), African Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Partnership (ACHAP), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Development Partners such as the UN Family. Botswana does receive tremendous support in terms of personnel (expertise), systems/tools, and equipment from other donours and development Partners.