Mission & Statutes

Who We Are and What We Do

Aidshilfe Heidelberg is a registered, non-profit, charitable, and fully independent organization based right here in Heidelberg. We aren't tied to any political party or religious group. 
Our roots actually reach all the way back to the 1980s, during the early days of the HIV epidemic.

Our Vision
We envision a world completely free from discrimination, stigma, and HIV/AIDS. We are working toward a society where absolutely everyone has access to comprehensive support, education, and medical care. We want to help minimize the spread of HIV and other STIs, make getting a diagnosis easier through accessible testing, and pave the way for treatment and support.

We are here to empower people and support them in building a mindful, positive connection with their own sexuality and health. To us, sexual health is about so much more than just the absence of illness. It embraces physical, mental, and social well-being.

In everything we do, we treat every single person with respect, compassion, and dignity, regardless of their HIV status, gender, sexual orientation and identity, age, ethnic background, religion, worldview, disability, or social situation.

Our Mission
Our work is primarily built on two main pillars:

HIV: Our first pillar is advocating for the interests of people living with HIV/AIDS in Heidelberg and the Rhein-Neckar region. Our goal is to improve the living conditions of people with HIV, create a supportive community for them and their social environment, and offer guidance and support. To achieve this, Aidshilfe Heidelberg provides a space that is as safe and non-violent as possible.

People living with HIV receive professional counseling on psychosocial, medical, and social law questions. For individuals who require more intensive assistance in managing their daily lives, the organization offers the aws RheinNeckar – Your life. Your pace. Our support. (assisted living support in their own homes and social environment / AWS).

Through education, prevention, educational work, and solidarity, we aim to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS to highlight and combat the ongoing stigma, as well as to reduce the further spread of HIV/AIDS.

In today's context, we view HIV as a chronic condition that can lead to daily life restrictions primarily due to stigma and social factors. Life expectancy for people with HIV no longer differs from the average population, meaning needs have evolved and will continue to change alongside advances in HIV therapy. As a result, we operate dynamically and continuously integrate current findings and medical developments into our professional practices.

Sexual Health: The second pillar of our work is sexual health education and our commitment to health promotion through testing, counseling, and prevention. It is important to us to make sexual health accessible in all its facets while reflecting diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship structures. We offer our counseling, knowledge, and openness freely to everyone. Creating a sex-positive and discrimination-sensitive setting where people feel comfortable and can open up is of central importance to us. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe space where every person can show up authentically.

Click here to view the Statutes of Aidshilfe Heidelberg as adopted by the General Assembly on November 2, 2022: