Bishkek, April 28, 2008 – Today, the World Bank Country Office and the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) announced the winners of the 2008 Small Grants Program competition in the Kyrgyz Republic. The World Bank’s Small Grants Program was established in the Kyrgyz Republic in 1996. The program supports initiatives to broaden the dialogue on socio-economic issues, develop civic partnerships, empower citizens, and engage marginalized and vulnerable groups in civic activities. “The Small Grants Program supports local civil society organizations” – said Roger J. Robinson, World Bank Country Manager in the Kyrgyz Republic. “Between 1996 and 2008 the World Bank awarded 121 small grants totaling US$ 315 thousand”. EFCA joined the World Bank in 2006 as a partner donor, and has awarded grants comprising more than $50 thousand.
In May 2006, EFCA signed an agreement with the World Bank to award grants through the Small Grants Program. EFCA funding is provided through its Open Door program, a mainstay of its grant making portfolio. Through its Open Door program, EFCA reviews all proposals that fit within one of its mandated focus areas - private enterprise development, community development, education and public administration. This year, applicants from all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic submitted a total of 120 proposals in the highly publicized Small Grants Program competition. In 2008, the sum total of grants, provided by both the World Bank and the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia within this Program, was US $ 51 491. Of the 13 projects, EFCA is funding 4.
"This year we are funding projects which will build the capacity of local organizations to support the most vulnerable groups in Kyrgyz Society such as people with disabilities and street children and enable people to access the quality of health care that they deserve.” - noted Edward Winter, Executive Director of the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia.
The following NGOs were awarded grants as part the Small Grants Program: NGO “Djei Ar” – “Women's initiatives” Project NGO "Zamandash" – “Legal information and educational support for potential labor migrants from Batken Oblast” Project NGO "Atuul"– “Civic engagement of youth for strengthening generational connections and improvement of life for the elderly” Project NGO "Introduction and development of innovative technologies"– “Together we are stronger!” Project NGO "Kut bilim samat" – “I have the right, and I can do it!” Project NGO "Ak-Shuru" – “Support to the reintegration of former convicted young people” Project NGO “Center for Ecological Education” – “Engagement of unemployed youth in the village life” Project NGO "Our children" – “Make the world more kind!” Project NGO "Aisenur" – “Capacity building of young girls from low income and vulnerable families” Project NGO “Physicians of the Naryn mountains ” – defending patient’s rights NGO “Union of Unity” – social integration of street-children from low income and vulnerable families NGO “Republican Independent Association of women with disabilities” – social integration and employment of disabled individuals NGO “Yigilik Art” – art school for disabled children and orphans
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