On 19 September 2014 in Bishkek the British Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Judith Farnworth awarded certificates worth 1 million soms each for purchase of tractors the representatives of seven ayil aimaks of two oblasts - Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul.
In May 2014 "Voice of Citizens and Accountability of Local Self-Government: Budget Process" Project, funded by the Government of Switzerland, in partnership with the British Department for International Development and executed by the Development Policy Institute (hereinafter - the Project), started its work on the territory of new pilot rural municipalities of two oblasts - Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul. This project also continued to collaborate with rural municipalities selected in 2011-2012.
Rural residents complain about lack of cleanliness in villages due to outdated waste collection equipment or its complete absence. Moreover, with the beginning of spring and summer season, level of infectious diseases increases that primarily is a threat for children and elderly. According to the population opinion, the issue of purchase of special equipment for garbage collection or establishment of cleaning companies and removal of solid-waste (SW) is a priority for the bodies of LSG. People expect from the LSG bodies to finance solutions to this problem, and are even willing to do payments and participate in organization of services.
"Within our Project there are funds envisaged to be used for supporting initiatives aimed at addressing the issues of local significance and improve the living conditions of the local community - says Bekbolot Bekiev, the Project Manager. - In other words, they must conform to the priorities identified with participation of the population through questionnaires, focus groups, and activities to assess jointly the needs of the village (PRA-sessions). Today we present the certificates worth 1 million som each to seven rural municipalities of Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul oblasts for the purchase of machinery - tractors "Belarus 82.1" - with a variety of additional equipment for the collection and disposal of solid waste and repair of internal roads. As happened in our practice, the grant funds have been transferred to local budgets of the rural municipalities. After training at the Ministry of Finance, the employees of LSG performed public procurement on their own".
"Democracy, security and prosperity are key principles that underpin the Kyrgyz-British cooperation. I think in the past year we have made progress in all directions. In addition to a number of important initiatives to support the Government and Parliament initiated reforms, we also provide support to the projects in the field, providing tangible improvements in the lives of thousands of people throughout Kyrgyzstan, - commented on the event Her Majesty's Ambassador Judith Farnworth. - We are pleased to participate in the process of local development to support and improve the living conditions of rural communities".
For details please contact: Development Policy Institute public relations specialist Nurgul Djamankulova, tel.: (0555) 313-385, (0770) 771-711, email: njamankulova@dpi.kg, website: www.vap.kg, www.dpi.kg