Local self-governments will support local peace initiatives

On February 11, 2022, a training was held in Bishkek on the topic “Local initiative as a tool to involve citizens, including women and youth in solving local issues for peacekeeping and conflict management”.

The training was organized as part of the "Yntymaktuu Zhashoo" project, implemented by the International Alert team in partnership with the National Mediation Center and the Development Policy Institute (DPI) with the support of the European Union[1]. The participants of the training were representatives of local governments of the cities of Balykchy and Tash-Kumyr; Sumbulinsky, Kargalyk, Kara-Buurinsky, Leninsky (Alai), Leninsky (Alamudun) and Kuraminsky aiyl aimaks.

“The training participants are representatives of LSG bodies of eight municipalities that have expressed their readiness to participate in conflict management through the implementation of the Model Regulation on the procedure for the selection and financing of local initiatives by local governments, approved by order of the GAMSUMO dated September 5, 2019 No. 01-18 / 84[2] (now - SACSLSG). In January 2022 they received grant funds from the "Yntymaktuu Zhashoo" project, intended for LSG interaction with the local civil society in order to mobilize it and develop joint effective inclusive measures for early conflict prevention and training a wide range of local communities in conflict analysis skills. In particular, by supporting local initiatives, they plan to resolve such local conflicts as: prevention of family conflicts, conflicts among youth and schoolchildren, prevention of resource conflicts and conflicts between LSG bodies and local communities, - said Ainura Balakunova, trainer of the Development Policy Institute.

During the training, the participants learnt about the meaning of “Local Initiative”, the legal framework for local initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic, the procedures for organizing the selection and financing of local initiatives, and the role of communications in this process. The final product of the training was draft plans for implementation. According to the plans, all activities related to the selection and implementation of selected local initiatives should be completed by the end of July this year.

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[1] International Alert, together with the Institute for Development Policy and the National Center for Mediation, with the support of the European Union, works in Kyrgyzstan to create a platform to support active youth, civil society and local governments in preventing social conflicts, maintaining law and order, as well as teaching mediation skills in 25 selected places in Kyrgyzstan. The goal of "Living in Peace" project is to support active youth, civil society and local self-government bodies in conflict prevention, support of rule of law, effective governance, and mediation in 25 districts of Kyrgyzstan. Further details: www.international-alert.org 

[2] Model Regulation on the procedure for the selection and financing of local initiatives by local governments, approved by order of the GAMSUMO dated September 5, 2019 No. 01-18 / 84