Switzerland to support a 10-year project on enhancing parliamentarism

Local news, 03.05.2017

On 28 April UNDP in Kyrgyzstan informed about the launch of a new project “Strong and Inclusive Parliamentary Democracy” aimed at strengthening parliamentary democracy in Kyrgyzstan, ensuring its transparency and accountability to citizens.

Meeting at UNDP

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.

 

Local news, 26.04.2017

Certificates for receiving grants worth over 43 million som to improve public services were awarded to 13 municipalities from Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul provinces on April 26, 2017 in Bishkek. 

Awarding of representatives of municipalities © Swiss Embassy in Bishkek
Awarding of representatives of municipalities

The awarding ceremony was organized in the framework of the Public Service Improvement Project. This project helps to improve living conditions of people in rural areas through improved quality, access and sustainability of public services provided by municipalities. It is implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation in Kyrgyzstan and the Development Policy Institute with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

The competition for the best Service Improvement Action Plan was launched amongst municipalities of the Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul provinces. One of the requirements for participation was a contribution of at least 10% of the total amount by municipalities. Remarkably enough, applicants committed to co-finance around 50% of the project costs themselves. This demonstrates the importance and urgency of improving local service delivery.

The Service Improvement Action Plan is a systematic method that enables to identify priority public and municipal services as well as to plan and to improve their organization and execution. The municipalities used this method with the support of the Public Service Improvement Project.

“It is crucial to keep in mind that improving service provision is an ongoing process”, - said Danielle Meuwly Monteleone, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic. “It is not only about procurement of new equipment or construction of infrastructure. It is mostly about good management by local self-governments, ensuring that maintenance costs can be covered and that service delivery can be sustained in the long run”.

The municipalities will improve service provision for drinking water supply; school and preschool education services; recreation services for children and youth and public utilities. The list of 17 winning projects presented by 13 municipalities of Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul provinces is as follows: 

  1. Toktogul – improvement of housing and communal services

  2. Kurmanbek – improvement of access to clean drinking water

  3. Beshik-Jon – improvement of access to clean drinking water

  4. Jany-Jol, Toktogul dsitrict – improvement of housing and communal services

  5. Kenesh – improvement of access to clean drinking water

  6. Avletim – improvement of street lighting

  7. Jany-Jol, Aksy district – improvement of street lighting

  8. Torkent – improvement of secondary education services (canteen)

  9. Avletim – improvement of preschool education services

  10. Kok-Irim – improvement of preschool education services

  11. Kargalyk – improvement of recreation services (park)

  12. Toktogul – improvement of recreation services for children

  13. Toguz-Toro – improvement of secondary education services (canteen)

  14. Kenesh – improvement of housing and communal services

  15. Kurmanbek – improvement of preschool education services

  16. Balykchy – improvement of recreation services (park)

  17. Aral - improvement of access to clean drinking water

     

    Earlier in 2016, the project supported 14 initiatives to improve services provided by 12 municipalities worth more than 42 million som.