Refugees created strong organization in Kyzyl Kyia. 

Refugees from Tajikistan face a lot of difficulties starting a new life in a new place. There are 596 

refugees (120 households) in Kyzyl Kyia, and many face problems with housing and unemployment. 

Recently these refugees have been taking more initiative to resolve their own problems. In 2001, with 

the support of Batken CSSC, the refugees created the NGO Radjab Ata, which currently provides 

support to refugees. To build the capacity of the NGO, its members attended training seminars 

delivered by Batken CSSC and Counterpart, including PCA facilitation. As a result of this assistance, 

Radjab Ata designed the project Construction of Toilest and Dust collectors. The project was 

approved and financed by UNDP/LIFE to the amount of $4,000. This project is being successfully 

implemented. Currently, Radjab Ata is one of the best NGOs in Batken Oblast with qualified staff, 

good material base and effective communications with their communities. 

Solid Project Design Skills Win Funding 

In May 2002 the Counterpart funded project to renovate the secondary school Alykul in the village of 

Tashtak (Suzak Rayon) was successfully completed. $4,871 in grant funding supported major repairs 

to the school. An additional $2,679 of Counterpart grant funding allowed the community to install a 

new heating system. With all these repairs, the community still lacked technical equipment to put in 

their renovated school.  The school badly needed basic materials such as desks, chairs and 

blackboards for the 750 student school. The NGO El Kutu Elette and Tashtak community members 

took the initiative to address this problem and attract additional resources. With the NGO's proven 

ability to design projects, they prepared the project Providing school equipment, which was funded by 

Mercy Corps with $5,100. The community was able to purchase 9 blackboards, 12 tables, 20 chairs 

and 75 desks. 

Social Partnership 

Stable Partnership = Stable Funding 

The initiative group of Eski Pokrovka, as a target community of the Osh CSSC, has experience in 

community project management. While cost share from the community and local authorities was 

agreed upon by all parties as a stipulation of grant funding, the local authorities cited lack of funds 

and backed out on their commitment. The initiative group, ultimately responsible for the cost share 

requirement, scrambled to collect the $507. This process helped the initiative group realize the 

importance of interaction with local authorities and community members.  The Osh CSSC, aware of 

the struggles, conducted training in Social Partnership and Advocacy and hosted a roundtable 

discussion on strengthening cooperation between NGOs and local authorities. With broad 

participation from NGOs, community members and local government, five communities developed 

agreements to work with the initiative group, who in turn established a stable partnership with the 

Kyzyl October village board. The village board supports the initiative group's activities with a set 

aside in their budget equaling $2,325 in 2003.  As a result, the initiative group is able to address 

problems in their own and seven neighboring villages of the Kyzyl October village board.  

Innovative Partnership for Long Term Development 

A partnership agreement between the Kumtor Operating Company (KOC) and the CSSC of Karakol 

was signed in February and provides support to local NGOs, community organizations and initiative 

groups to implement activities addressing social problems, protecting local interests, and 

strengthening cooperation among communities, businesses and governments. According to the 

agreement, KOC is providing $2,439 annually in grant money to be disbursed through the local grant 

committee in the Issyk Kul Oblast. The first meeting of the grant committee took place on June 20, 

during which 12 of 30 applications were approved. In order to implement credit activities the CSSC 

Karakol and KOC have founded the Microcredit Agency, which was registered in April 2, 2003. The 

sum of $4,878 will be given as credits to NGOs, CBOs, and initiative groups with a 20% interest rate. 

Every year the credit portfolio will be replenished with accrued interest rates and additional 

contributions of KOC, which estimates annual funding at $4,800. The sum of $2,073 has been 

allocated to cover costs associated with administration, grant review and selection, and monitoring 

and evaluation. The cooperation with KOC contributes to the sustainable development of the CSSC 

and development of local NGOs/CBOs. 

4