NGO Improves People's Living Standards  

The transition to an open market has been a difficult one, leaving many, especially those who were in 

prison, without jobs. Throughout Kazakhstan there is a lack of mechanisms to reintegrate parolees 

into society or learn a marketable trade. In 1999, the informal community group Preodolenie 

(Overcome), with its leader Ms. L. Kitova, repaired an old joinery shop, creating new jobs. Over two 

years the initiative group renovated the shop into a facility for training in joinery, trimming and 

furnishing works. Twenty parolees were trained in the shop, which ultimately outgrew its working 

space. As a result of the PCAP process conducted with the help of Karaganda CSSC Eco Center, the 

group changed its status to a public association and jointly with the Union of Volunteer Societies of 

Invalids of the Qaraghandy Region obtained an additional 300 square meters of working space. The 

concerted action led to a contract for furniture and toys for three local kindergartens. The profit gained 

from the agreement provided living expenses for 15 members of the Public Association Preodolenie 

and 30 members of the Union of Volunteer Societies of Invalids of the Qaraghandy Region. 

Training Facilitates Rural Community Mobilization 

The rural areas in Kazakhstan, especially as regions with unique nature, have an acute shortage in 

information on environmental laws. The preservation of nature in East Kazakhstan's national parks 

depends largely on the cooperation of the local people. Thus, surrounding communities need to know 

and enjoy their ecological rights and duties. In the framework of Counterpart's program, the regional 

CSSC   The Socio Corporative Fund ZUBR conducted trainings on  Project Design  and 

 Fundraising  and appropriate consultations for the Public Association Khranitel Altaya (Curator of 

Altai). In turn Khranitel Altaya, under the management of Ms. Vera Klimova, conducted Participatory 

Community Appraisal in a target rural population. The NGO received $500 a fixed grant from the 

Regional Center for Ecology to conduct four seminars in rural counties and publish informational 

supplies in order to facilitate local communities mobilization and their involvement in the process of 

preservation of the national park. 

Kyrgyzstan

Sustainable Civil Society Organizations  

Remote Farmers Improve Legal Knowledge 

There is an information vacuum on land reform for farmers and peasants, especially in the remote 

areas of Kyrgyzstan. It is important to explain agrarian reforms for farmers owning land and making 

land related deals. Due to a lack of information these farmers don't know the necessary laws, such as 

taxes, social insurance, and tenant laws. In July 2001 the Talas Center conducted  Project Design  

and  Fundraising  training for the Public Association Lady Shirin. The Center assisted Lady Shirin in 

designing a project for Soros Foundation to conduct a series of educational seminars among the 

villagers of Kara Bura region on  Land Reform , taxes, social insurance, use of water resources and 

associations of water users. Additionally they will publish a newsletter on land reform, including 

advice from land and water experts. Soros Foundation funded the program with $1,358. As a result, 

300 rural farmers and peasants of Kara Bura region have access to information on land issues. 

Advocacy 

Year Long Advocacy Effort Pays Off 

In early 2001 the government passed legislation, which stipulated that pregnant women in the Issyk 

Kul and Chui Oblasts must pay in advance to receive care at the local maternity hospitals. There was a 

fatal case in the district when a woman was taken to the hospital and refused medical care because she 

had not paid the money in advance. Having studied this case the NGO Jety Oguz aiymy conducted a 

roundtable in the Kyzyl Suu village, which resulted in the collection of signatures in order to fight the 

regulation. After several consultations in the Issyk Kul CSSC and training in  Advocacy  Jety Oguz 

aiymy collected about 2500 signatures throughout the oblast. Taking into account the signatures of 

different Ministries of Kyrgyz Republic (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance etc.) a draft 

amendment was presented to the government in August 2001. In January 2002 the government 

ratified the amendment repealing the maternity payment procedures.  

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