The Positive Leadership Development Institute (PLDI) has been offering life-changing in-person trainings in English since 2006 in Ontario, 2009 in British Columbia, and in French since 2018 in Quebec. And since 2021, the training modules are also offered in a dynamic online format available to people living with HIV throughout Canada. The PLDI leadership trainings are made possible through the financial contribution of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which has currently reached the mid-term point of the current program funding phase (2022-2025).

This blog will highlight the most recent findings about what we heard from participants and PLDI-related staff on successes and future plans. Please note that the notation (n=) indicates the sample size, which is the number of individuals having responded to the specific evaluation study question. This mid-term evaluation reported on the following areas of the PLDI program:

Program Format 

PLDI training modules are offered online and in person. Offering both virtual and in-person trainings sessions has benefited the program to ensure its overall success in a variety of ways.

The online format reduces barriers like geographic distance and travel logistics, making it more accessible for some participants. For example, reaching people in provinces outside of BC, ON, and QC that would otherwise not be able to attend the training or people who find it challenging to practically leave their own local community. It benefits participants by connecting them with others where factors of isolation and in-person accessibility might be an issue.

By contrast, some participants enjoyed the in-person trainings because it facilitated community networking and interpersonal connections with their peers.

 

Offering both online and in-person sessions as participation options increases the PLDI program’s accessibility and enables more people to be reached. These findings speak to the importance of the blended learning environment and how different modalities have led to the success of the program by meeting the diverse needs of participants.

Program Reach

In general, PLDI aims to engage a diverse group of people living with HIV across Canada. According to our project tracking documents at this mid-term evaluation point, there have been 207 graduates of the PLDI Core training over the course of 17 trainings between 2022 and 2025.

Through online and in-person trainings PLDI was able to reach people 65+ (6.8% (n=73) for online trainings and 8.9% (n=134) for in-person trainings). PLDI also reached Indigenous participants which has increased over the years (9 Indigenous participants in 2023-2024, which increased by 10 in 2024-2025 for a total of 19). There was also a large percentage of participants from the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community (31.5% n=73 online and 35% in-person n=134). PLDI continues to work to reach participants from smaller urban rural and remote areas, which requires a significant amount of effort in terms of travel, partnerships with agencies and overcoming barriers on identification for travel.

Program Effectiveness

The evaluation data indicates that PLDI has been effective at strengthening the leadership knowledge and skills of PLDI participants and at supporting participants to apply what they learned and experienced for improved health outcomes. Through follow-up surveys with graduates, we have heard many stories of the large impact that PLDI has had on them and their larger community.

In 2024-2025, this increased overall from the first two years as there was a 26% change (n=105) in participants physical well-being, 27% change (n=105) in participants mental or cognitive well-being, 33% change (n=104) in participants emotional well-being, and 23% change (n=104) in participants spiritual well-being.

Through follow-up surveys, we gauged in what way participants had strengthened their leadership skills. Between 2023-2025, 95% (n=87) of participants experienced an increase in their confidence to be a leader. Some specific examples participants provided were: getting new positions such as on executive boards and peer support roles, applying their skills in conflict situations, and feeling confident to advocate for themselves in healthcare and work settings.

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

 The PLDI program continues to evaluate how it works to find ways to improve such as:

  • Working to recruit trainers with diverse backgrounds to contribute to participants seeing themselves in all types of role models
  • Expand relationship building with community ASOs/CBOs to work together with them to create opportunities and spaces for PLDI graduates
  • Continue to find new ways to bring together participants to connect and engage

The program managers and trainers are pleased to see continuous interest shown by participants and the steady uptake of the initiative across other provinces. A great example is that 58% of BC online participants were from provinces other than BC; most notably from AB, SK, and MB. This growing engagement speaks to the relevance and value of the work being done. As people living with HIV, the PLDI national team aims to lead with empathy, authenticity, and strength—modeling the kind of leadership they inspire in others through their own lived experience.

While the achievements to date are significant, there is a shared understanding that there remains room to improve, innovate, and deepen program reach and responsiveness. The commitment to ongoing growth and excellence remains at the heart of the PLDI approach as PLDI continues to look to the future.

This professional development training is truly one of a kind. It is developed by and for people living with HIV (PLHIV)—including the PLDI Management Team and all PLDI Trainers. The program stands as a powerful example of the GIPA Principle (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and/or AIDS), which emphasizes the meaningful and active participation of people living with HIV in every aspect of the response to the epidemic.

 

To learn more about PLDI and how to apply visit the webpage.