World Bank Implementation Support Mission to the National Community Initiatives Project Begins Work

On November 20, Senior Social Development Specialist Mr. Christopher Finch, Senior Social Development Specialist Ms. Luiza Nora, and Social Development Specialist Ms. Damira Temirbaeva met with the management of the Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS). Representing ARIS at the meeting were Executive Director Mars Naspekov, Deputy Executive Director Asel Mambetkuolova, and NCIP Project Coordinator Mayrambek Bayaliev.

On November 17, the World Bank Support Mission for the National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP), implemented by ARIS under the overall coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, commenced its work. Over a period of ten days – through November 27 – the mission plans to review project progress across the following areas:

ü  The climate aspects of the NCIP;

ü  The social mobilization and community institutionalization process;

ü  Implementation of the Livelihoods Support Program;

ü  Financial management and procurement issues under the NCIP;

ü  Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities;

ü  Key aspects of communications, community engagement on the online platform and in the MIS;

ü  Social and environmental management issues.

As part of the Mission, the World Bank team also has scheduled meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Enlightenment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.