This document looks at the relationship between literacy and HIV prevention education and is the result of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning's work on examining the contribution of non-formal education (NFE) to HIV prevention, carried out in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Working Group on Non-formal Education. In partnership with governments, nongovernment organizations and universities, the authors have been able to identify the wide range of NFE efforts to address not only HIV prevention but also HIV treatment and care. As the "poor relation" of the formal education sector, non-formal education initiatives are often not recognized and therefore remain marginalized despite their valuable contributions. The document aims to demonstrate how literacy (one of the key areas of nonformal education) is making a difference in HIV prevention through innovative approaches, where community participation and involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS are the main underlying program principles.