Democratic Governance
July 13-17 – As part of series of capacity building trainings for partner organizations, EU-UNDP New Legal Framework Project conducted a workshop for 41 staff members of the Ministry of Justice including the Minister. General objective of the workshop was strengthening overall capacity of the staff and assistance in drafting higher quality legislation. Participants had an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and carry out five types of mandatory expertise in practice under guidance of experts. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager (gm@dgov.undp.kg).
July 17-24 – 37 staff members of the Parliamentary Apparatus and 54 staff members of factions (assistants and consultants of MPs) participated in the Summer School of Parliamentarism organized by EU-UNDP New Legal Framework Project. The participants attended a unique course on parliamentarism designed by the experts of the project. Apart from basic information on peculiarities of parliament and parliamentary development, the School also covered a whole range of issues within the current Parliament and ways to resolve them. An important part of the school was team building activities designed by professional psychologists/sociologists aimed at promoting improved business processes and strengthening corporate spirit of staff members. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager ( gm@dgov.undp.kg).
July 24-29 – EU-UNDP New Legal Framework Project conducted a workshop on Parliamentary Journalism for representatives of different mass media. 20 mass media representatives were trained on developing and broadcasting of understandable, clear, currently demanded and interesting reports on the work of the Parliament. Various news-makers including members of the Parliament and press-service staff also attended the workshop. The training was led by an experienced media trainer from Ukraine – Zoya Kazanzhy. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager ( gm@dgov.undp.kg).
August 1-5 – The final seminar of Summer School of Democracy took place in Issyk-Kul. During 5 days 39 youths had the opportunity to learn, ask questions and exchange opinions with experts from Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Estonia, Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. They discussed issues of geopolitics, economy, mass media, civil society, environment, etc. Moreover participants developed 20 project ideas and 7 of them are to be funded by the Youth Action Fund of the Open Society Foundation. SSD 2011 has been initiated by USAID/IYF Kyrgyzstan Youth Project and supported by the UNDP Democratic Governance Program’s Youth Project, UNDP Kyrgyz Republic Election Support Project (funded by EC and the Government of Austria), Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan Youth Program and the Institute for Civic Education in partnership with the EU-UNDP Legal Reform Project. KyrgyzTelecom was an official partner providing access to internet. Learn more from Nazira Satyvaldiyeva, Youth Program Coordinator ( Nazira@youth.undp.kg).
August 1-5 – Training for media on legal and professional aspects of covering the upcoming presidential elections took place in Bishkek, Jalal-Abad and Osh. Journalists were trained to identify key issues in the electoral process and develop solutions to cover the elections accurately and efficiently. The training combined theory and practical exercises with involvement of not only media trainers, but also lawyers, CEC members and press service. More than 80 people from national and regional media outlets participated in the training. The initiative was supported by UNDP Kyrgyz Elections Support Project funded by the EU and the German Government, in partnership with the CEC, Internews Network Representative Office and the International Foundation for Election System (IFES). Learn more from Meder Dastanbekov, KESP Project Coordinator ( md@dgov.undp.kg).ListenDictionary
Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Protection
July 4-19 – UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme in collaboration with national partners organized joint trainings for local self governments (LSGs) on formation of revenue and expense estimates for mitigation projects, procedures of opening treasury accounts, keeping account records of budget classification, completing administrative and statistics reports on emergency situations, investments and construction activities. Trainings for 44 participants were held in Cholpon-Ata and for 54 participants in Jalal-Abad. Trainings contributed to interaction between regional offices of the treasury, district departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, different levels of the state statistics committee and LSGs. Learn more from Asya Taranchieva, Budget and Finance Specialist (at@dm.undp.kg).
July 6 – Disaster Response Coordination Unit (DRCU) Education Sector meeting was conducted with the support of UNICEF and the DRCU Secretariat to update members on the sector activities from the Ministry of Education and Science and other members. Participants discussed the Education Sector Contingency Plan, evaluated the Education Cluster Coordination, reviewed the KERFA matrix confirmed by Save the Children. Participant proposed that peace and tolerance activities shall be continued in non-formal education cluster, which will meet on a quarterly basis and chaired by UNICEF. Thematic groups will be established under the National Platform and one of the Education thematic group activities will be mainstreaming of safe behavior culture into pre-school and school education. Learn more from Meerim Taabaldieva, Communications specialist (mta@dm.undp.kg).
July 7 – GEF/UNDP project on conservation of biodiversity in fishing sector in Issyk-Kul handed over research and fishing equipment to the regional Department of Wildlife Conservation of the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry and biological station of KR National Academy of Sciences. $100 000 worth of equipment including motor boats, portable analyzers of water parameters, automatic module for bottom samples, etc. will help boost capacity of the environmental inspection service and contribute to development of fishing sector and conservation of the Issyk-Kul Lake biodiversity. Moreover, the project helped incubate and release young fish of endemic species – marinka and naked osman into the lake. Learn more from Azat Alamanov, Project Manager (a.alamanov@up.elcat.kg).
July 8 - UNDP “Rehabilitation of Riparian Forests of Kyrgyzstan” project held a coordination meeting at Kok-Moinok rural district, bringing together all project partners: representatives of the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry, National Agency on Local Self-Governance Affairs as well as local self-governance bodies, Issyk-Kul biosphere territory, Balykchi forest management unit, UN Volunteers, etc. The meeting agenda included presentation of the project implementation report and discussion of each project partner’s contribution. During the meeting participants exchanged their opinions on improving management of riparian forests based on the principle of the community based management of riparian forests. Learn more from Alexander Temirbekov, Programme Manager (a.temirbekov@up.elcat.kg).
July 12 – UNDP, UN WFP and leaders of the Batken territorial administration on environmental protection and forest ecosystem met in Batken to discuss possibilities of cooperation of international organizations and government agencies in the area of environmental protection and prevention of natural disasters. Participants discussed assistance to forestry to prevent forest fires and planting of seedlings on landslide-prone areas. It was decided to prepare and submit for consideration 3-4 project proposals combining interests and capabilities of UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme, WFP and Batken territorial administration of environmental protection and forest ecosystem. Learn more from Akylbek Shadymanov, Regional coordinator (a_shadymanov@batken.undp.kg).
July 14 – The National Workshop on the Hyogo Framework of Action took place in Osh city. Disaster risk reduction stakeholders including representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MoES), UN, government HFA Focal point for Kyrgyzstan and other national and international NGOs attended the workshop. MoES HFA Focal Point in Kyrgyzstan presented the structure of the report on implementation of HFA and reported on the process of preparing the National Report on implementation of the HFA. ACTED presented the Views From the Frontline (VFL) Project – a global civil society initiative to monitor DRR activities on the local level, its objectives, findings of survey and community consultations and purpose of the National Workshop. In Kyrgyzstan it is coordinated by ACTED. The workshop participants agreed there has been progress in DRR since 2009 (first VFL) in the form of national level policy and coordination. However there have been little corresponding practical plans for implementation at the ground level. The workshop was organized by ACTED with support from the Sixth DIPECHO Action Plan: Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Capacities in Central Asia. Learn more from Meerim Taabaldieva, Communications specialist (mta@dm.undp.kg).
July 15 – National Statistical Committee approved the statistical report FORM № 2-INVEST (LSGs) which will help local self-governments report on statistics of investments and construction activities. The form is optimized for needs of LSGs and will contribute to establishment of a mainstreamed municipal statistical indicators system, improve the process of collection and exchange of accurate and complete data that is necessary for tackling issues nation-wide. UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme together with the NSC worked on this reporting issue from November 2008 until July 2011. They have conducted a research of the data collection and processing system and specialists from four provinces: Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken and Chui as well as Bishkek city took part in the process. Learn more from Asya Taranchieva, Budget and Finance Specialist (at@dm.undp.kg).
July 16 – Ministry of Emergency Situations in Osh hosted a regional exhibition for discussion and dissemination of the best practices in disaster risk management at the local level. The exhibition was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Ministry. The first deputy heads of regional administrations, heads and deputies of pilot and other village districts, Ministry representatives, members of Rural Rescue Teams of Zerger village (Uzgen district), representatives of UNDP and the Aga Khan Foundation took part in the exhibition. Learn more from Sayakbay Subanov, Regional coordinator (s_subanov@osh.undp.k).
July 18-20 - A delegation from Kazakhstan consisting of representatives of Ministry of Agriculture, chairmen of pasture committees, heads of rural districts and experts learned about the best practice in pasture management of the Kyrgyz Republic. The field visit was organized as part of GEF/UNDP project on sustainable pasture management. The delegation visited implementation site of the project in Suusamyr valley and met with the Minister of Agriculture Torogul Bekov. Experts from Kazakhstan were interested in implementation experience of the law “On Pastures”, the work of pasture committees, electronic rural governance, establishment of a forage base from scratches and other best practices of the project. Learn more from Baybek Usubaliev, Project Manager (b.usubaliev@up.elcat.kg ).
July 21 – NGO coordination mechanism and special representation in the Disaster Response Coordination Unit (body coordinating activities on disaster response) was enacted to strengthen coordination and cooperation between NGOs in disaster preparedness and response. Participants of the meeting were updated on the National Platform on DRR, briefed on the Regional Humanitarian Forum and information management tools of the DRCU. They also developed recommendations on the DRCU mechanism and the role of NGOs in it as well as decided to replace Shoola NGO to the Regional Humanitarian Forum as DRCU member on behalf of NGOs. Learn more from Meerim Taabaldieva, Communications specialist (mta@dm.undp.kg).
July 22 – 55 representatives of various ministries, health organizations, international organizations, working in the area of disaster risk reduction and civil protection participated in a round table devoted to preparedness of hospitals to work in emergency situations. The event was organized by the KR Hospitals Association to present results of a vulnerability assessment of health facilities in the country, as well as to develop a programme of vulnerability reduction and strengthen preparedness of health facilities to work in emergency situations. Participants learned about Moldova’s experience in the field of hospital safety from a guest from Moldova, head of a state center of medicine of emergencies in Kishinev. Participants were also briefed on the National Platform for Disaster Risk Response and the role of health component within the Platform. The round table was supported by the DRCU Secretariat within Health Sector activities. Learn more from Meerim Taabaldieva, Communications specialist (mta@dm.undp.kg).
July 27 – An inception workshop to launch UNDP/UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI) in Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek. The workshop was attended by an official delegation from the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center, representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, local self-governance bodies, non-governmental organizations and journalists. Implemented jointly by the KR Government and UNDP/UNEP PEI is aimed to strengthen financial and technical support to the Government for better integration of environmental and poverty considerations into national, sectoral and local development plans and budgeting. The main implementing partners are the Office of the First Vice PM, Ministry of Economic Regulation, National Agency for Local Self-Governance Affairs and the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry. Learn more from Aleksandr Temirbekov, Manager of UNDP Environment Programme (a.temirbekov@up.elcat.kg).
July 30 – At 18:00 mudslides occurred in in Barpy ayil district in Suzak district of Jalal-Abad region caused by heavy rains. 31 houses were damaged and the damage is estimated at 4.6 million soms. Rural Rescue Teams (RRTs) established under UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme provided assistance in clearing consequences of the mudslides. Together with the Central Rescue Team, consisting of 25 people in Osh, a team of RRT cleared 17 houses and 40 meters of irrigation ditches. Learn more from Taalai Ergeshov, Regional coordinator (t.ergeshov@dm.undp.kg).
Socio-Economic Development
July 9 – UNDP Programme “Support to Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to respond to HIV” and UNAIDS supported the field meeting of Osh province multisectoral coordination committee on HIV, tuberculosis and malaria (Kara-Suu town). Representatives of all districts and towns of Osh province, Osh Mayor’s office, deputy heads of district administrations and other stakeholders discussed results of implementing of HIV related province level programme, practices Kara-Suu district administration in this area and strengthening of coordination of activities to overcome HIV epidemic in the province. Learn more from Mr. Ilim Sadykov, Legislation Coordinator (is@aids.gov.kg)
July 12-16 – Health professionals on HIV&AIDS from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan completed "face-to-face" workshops of the regional distance learning courses organized by GIZ, Central Asian medical educational institutions and UNDP HIV/AIDS Programme. Online phase lasted from March to June 2011, during which participants regularly visited web-based platform to study lecture materials and additional sources, participated in online discussions and completed written assignments. Participants who successfully completed phases of the course were invited to the final seminar and received international certificates. The program also included site visits to AIDS-service NGOs. Learn more from Mr. Nurbek Tentiev, ICT Specialist (n.tentiev@aids.gov.kg)
July 13-14 – A round table discussion on gender aspects of expanding for national response to HIV took place in Bishkek. MPs, representatives of the Government Office, ministries and state agencies, oblast administrations and other stakeholders elaborated their recommendations for including into the new draft State Programme on HIV as a result of discussions. The recommendations were based on the assessment report on vulnerability of women affected by HIV and victims of gender based violence, the guide on gender expertise of legal acts. The event was organized with the support of UNDP Programme Support to Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to respond to HIV, UNAIDS and UNFPA. Learn more from Larisa Bashmakova, Coordinator for Strategic Analysis (lb@aids.gov.kg).
July 15-17 - Leaders and heads of community based organizations of people living with HIV (PLHIV) took part in training on development of partnership among community based organizations of PLHIV. It was aimed at capacity building of the leaders for partnership development, effective resource mobilization and its implementation. The training was organizeв with the support of UNDP HIV Programme UNAIDS and AFEW Learn more from Larisa Bashmakova, Coordinator for Strategic Analysis (l.bashmakova@aids.gov.kg).
July 19-21 – Over 570 unemployed and unskilled young people at the age of 16 to 28 received certificates of qualification upon graduating from short-term vocational education and training courses at 12 vocational schools in Osh and Jalalabad Provinces. Over 80% of the graduates are employed and excited to receive their first payment to support their families. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager (md@prp.undp.kg).
July 25-28 – A national consultancy meeting was held to evaluate the national monitoring and evaluation system of HIV/AIDS in the Kyrgyz Republic. The multisectoral team consisting of representatives of government, nongovernment and international organizations analyzed and reported on condition of 12 M&E components in the country. It also elaborated a work plan to strengthen the M&E system. The meeting was organized with the support of UNDP HIV/AIDS Programme, UNAIDS together with the Country multisectoral coordinating committee, Ministry of Healthcare and ICAP. Learn more from Larisa Bashmakova, Coordinator for Strategic Analysis (lb@aids.gov.kg).
July 28 – Members of “Zhany Turmush Umut” public union developed and submitted grant proposals that were supported within the “Support to restoration of local business environment” project funded by the Russian Government. The projects helped ещ create working places for people with disabilities in a canary shop and “Oshnan” milk processing shop in Osh. Total amount provided - 870 000 KGS. The projects were developed in partnership with UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme and the Center for agro business and commercial organizations competitiveness. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager (md@prp.undp.kg).
July 30 – “Rehabilitation of the social infrastructure through creation of temporary employment for unqualified labor in Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces” Project Grant Appraisal Committee held its meeting and approved 116 project proposal from Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces that are funded by the Soros Foundation. Total amount devoted for projects is over 45 milliion KGS. The total number of participants in completed projects is 1866: 30% - youth, 34% - women. Ethnic composition of the project participant s: 60% - Kyrgyz, 35% - Uzbeks, 5 % - others. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager (md@prp.undp.kg).
July 30 – 16 small grant projects are under implementation in the framework of the “Support to quick impact socio-economic recovery initiatives of affected and vulnerable rural communities in Osh and Jalal-Abad cities” Project. Almost all of the projects are infrastructural: installation of transformers, equipment for feldsher-midwife stations and renovation of kindergartens. Other projects are aimed at income generating activities and improvement of agricultural production in Osh and Jalal-Abad Provinces. The total amount funding for all projects – 6 million KGS. The project is funded by the Government of Poland. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager (md@prp.undp.kg).
July 30 – 35 small grant projects are under implementation within the “Support to restoration of local business environment” Project funded by the Russian Government. The grants are aimed at supporting small businesses affected by the June 2010 events in Osh and Jalal-Abad Provinces. The total amount provided is more than 12 million Kyrgyz soms. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager (md@prp.undp.kg).
