A/HRC/23/17 E/CN.6/2013/8 and collective experiences; (d) conducting specialized research; and (e) building upon existing knowledge. The fourth core approach is the empowerment of survivors to enable them to move from a state of victimhood towards taking control of their lives and being agents of change for other survivors. Close to one fifth of grants have used such a strategy, creating support systems such as peer educators, counsellors and survivors’ networks and programmes to provide women survivors with skills to reduce their vulnerability to violence. Specific interventions that have proven effective in promoting healing and transformation among survivors are related to the use of edutainment techniques and the creation of solidarity and support groups where women can have a voice to make their needs and priorities acknowledged and respected. 31. There is no single solution for ending violence against women, but rather various measures, models and approaches that can be applied in a coherent way. The impact of programmes is rarely immediate, as change is a slow process even in the best of circumstances. The lessons learned on best approaches for addressing violence against women accentuate the impact that the current funding environment can have on programming. While the importance of the multisectoral and multipartner approaches are increasingly highlighted through research and evaluations, the lack of long-term funding available in the field makes it challenging to carry out these recommendations and to push forward the lessons learned. Longterm investments in programmes that combine several strategies, bringing together multiple actors to address the many causes and consequences of violence against women and girls in a coherent manner, are crucial. 32. In 2012, the Trust Fund continued its support of global learning initiatives through its special thematic windows. In its sixteenth grant making cycle, the Trust Fund launched a special thematic window on addressing violence against women in conflict, post-conflict and transitional settings. The special thematic windows are particularly relevant for generating knowledge and stimulating actions in strategic areas to advance the field of ending violence against women and girls. 33. The Trust Fund special thematic window on addressing the twin pandemics of violence against women and HIV/AIDS also continues to scale up efforts for evidence-based programmes. In 2012, the Trust Fund produced a policy paper on effective approaches for addressing the intersection of violence against women and HIV/AIDS. The policy paper reinforced the message that investing in long-term interventions and challenging discrimination and harmful norms against women and girls is the way towards a future with zero violence and zero HIV/AIDS. The policy paper was presented at the International AIDS Conference, held in July 2012, in Washington, D.C., at a session co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN-Women. 34. In 2012, the Trust Fund intensified its efforts to develop the capacities of grantees to conduct effective monitoring and evaluation and to improve the overall processes of the Trust Fund for capturing and disseminating knowledge. The Trust Fund provided technical feedback to grantees, starting in the proposal development phase, and continued its assistance in developing and implementing grantees’ monitoring and evaluation plans. It also extended its capacity development training for recently funded grantees on evidence-based programme design, monitoring and evaluation. The Trust Fund held a five-day capacity-building workshop in Mexico City, reaching a total of 14 organizations. The workshop was tailored for new 12-64357 11