Round Table Held in Talas Oblast Under the National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP)
Today, September 18, a round table was held in Talas Oblast as part of the implementation of the National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP). The goal of the recently launched NCIP is to improve access to climate-resilient socio-economic infrastructure and to enhance economic opportunities for women and youth in target communities.
The National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP) is coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic and implemented by the Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Total project financing amounts to US$27 million (of which US$25 million is financed by the World Bank and US$2 million is a grant from the Early Learning Partnership (ELP) Fund).
As NCIP Coordinator M.E. Bayaliev noted: "The project places particular emphasis on social mobilization, ensuring the active participation of the population – especially women and youth – in the planning processes and implementation of initiatives. Under the project, 40 Ayil Aimaks have been selected from 40 districts across 7 Oblasts of Kyrgyzstan, and grants will be provided for projects related to the rehabilitation of social infrastructure facilities, such as kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, and heating, electricity, water supply, and irrigation systems. In addition, economic projects will be implemented on a competitive basis using the mechanisms of the OVOP (One Village One Product) concept.
Grant allocation will represent significant support for target communities and Local self-governments in implementing relevant investment sub-projects within the framework of the Socio-Economic Development Programs (SEDPs) of the rural territories. It is expected that, as a result of NCIP implementation: key socio-economic development issues in the regions will be addressed; access to quality services will be expanded (including through the opening of private kindergartens); women's and youth entrepreneurship will be supported; and women's leadership potential in communities will be developed.
Participating in the round table were the Head of the Administration of the Plenipotentiary Representation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Talas Oblast E.M. Jamakeev, district heads (akims, heads of Ayil Okmotus, chairs of Ayil Keneshes, representatives of the Ministries of Health, Labor, Social Protection and Migration, Emergency Situations, Construction, Architecture and Housing and Communal Services, as well as representatives of the Talas Oblast business community and the NCIP team.
