The project will be implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The total budget of the project for 10 years is 9,8 million Swiss francs.

According to Alexander Avanesov, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, the project is long-term, was developed in close cooperation with all the stakeholders, and meets the needs of national partners. “To date, Kyrgyzstan is the only parliamentary democracy in the region and this strive of the country shall be supported. This is the main essence of the project being launched today”, - said A. Avanesov during the official project presentation on April 28, 2017 with participation of project partners.

It was also reported that project activities are designed and will be carried out in line with the 2021 Development Strategy of Jogorku Kenesh. According to this strategy, the parliament takes a lead in shaping the future strategic vision of the country on behalf of citizens, identifies its directions and generates new ideas and development concepts.

On May 1, the project has started implementation of its first 4 year phase with a total budget of 3,8 million Swiss francs. “In the first phase, we will closely collaborate and provide expert support to the activities of three parliamentary committees, namely the committee on constitutional legislation, state structure and judicial legal affairs, the committee on social affairs, education, science, culture and healthcare as well as the committee on finance and budget,”- stated Lucio V. Sarandrea, UNDP Chief Technical Adviser on Rule of Law.

In addition, the project will closely work on enhancing capacity of Public Councils and will run a special Civic Action Fund to support various civil society initiatives that promote inclusiveness of the parliament.

During the meeting, the head of the apparatus of the Parliament Samat Ibraev has expressed his gratitude for launching this timely project and readiness to work together.

The competition’s aim was to visualize problems faced by local governments and local communities as well as to identify solutions and good practices. 

Artists and authors of the posters from different regions of Kyrgyzstan, representatives of the State Agency on local self-governance and interethnic relations under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as representatives of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic participated in the opening ceremony. During the event, winners and successful participants received awards.

“I am convinced that the visual art works that we see today will encourage citizens of Kyrgyzstan, including women, youth and vulnerable groups, to actively participate in the life of their communities and get involved in local self-governance,” – said Lucien Aegerter, representative of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The competition was organized by the “Municipalitet” magazine (www.municipalitet.kg) under the “Voice of citizens and accountability of local self-governments: budgetary process” project (www.vap.kg) funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).  The competition was conducted by the Development Policy Institute with participation of design.kg, the Union of artists of Kyrgyzstan and the Chuikov Art college.

The project aims at more transparent and effective management of local finances by local self-governments through increased accountability and citizen participation in decision making processes.