The Component empowers local communities in their socio-economic development. The component anchors the work of citizens and their organizations in efforts to enhance living standards and provide coherent alternatives for socio-economic development at local and regional levels in Uzbekistan.

The component establishes flexible and modern mechanisms, which provide financing for social investments to meet the needs of target groups. Such financing will be made available to low-income families and communities, namely 40 communities in three, districts of the Fergana region and 10 communities in the enclaves. The communities and other sponsors are encouraged to contribute their resources for social investment, either financially and/or in kind.

Based on the experience of the ELS projects, it is important to remain flexible and consider the possibility for communities' contributions up to 40%. It will also be important to properly record communities' in-kind contributions, such as labour, transport fees, storage of equipment and other fees).

The project also provides grants for: a) rehabilitation of community infrastructures in the least developed districts of the Fergana region and b) charitable help for low-income families in rural areas, by granting cattle and fowl. This type of support corresponds with measures of the Program accepted by the Government “2006- The Year of charity and medical workers”. The project decides on ad hoc basis whether these grants canbe complemented with other forms of technical assistance to specific groups, such as women and the youth.

This Component includes the following interventions:

- Increase awareness and coordination on the important contributions that civil society organizations (CSOs) can make towards development and enhancement of living standards in Fergana region.
The project strengthens interactive dialogues and networking between and among local communities, CSOs, regional authorities and donors in order to promote trust, sustained communications and partnerships and to expand the pool of stakeholders in the process of enhancing living standards. Such interaction is also essential in the process of developing local and regional strategies (Component I) and makes them more inclusive and realistic. This initiative also includes training of both government and non-government organizations as well as study tours to places where successful experiences of government-civil society interactions have been achieved.

- Support capacity development efforts of CSOs, local communities and their partners-constituents in Fergana to effectively contribute to enhancement of living standards in the region.
The ability to contribute to the process only comes through increased capacity to internalize priority issues and address them. Support is provided to the preparation of materials that will contribute to a better understanding of the role of CSOs in socio-economic development and the coordination of their activities.
In addition, target local communities and mahallas, civil society groups and organizations have training on strategic planning, budget management, grant preparation, participatory planning and others. This activity is an essential entry point for subsequent implementation of micro-credit and social investment schemes.

- Support the economic and social development of vulnerable population and communities in project districts.
The project provides financing for social investment needs of communities. Community infrastructure projects are implemented in 50 communities together with communities and their in kind contributions. Communities contribute labour, equipment and services. Capacity development of women and youth will be a special focus of these interventions.

At the end of the project, the following results are expected:

•     Awareness raised on civil society contribution to enhancement of living standards;
•     Increased capacity of the regional and local governments to engage civil society and communities in income generating activities;
•     Local communities, mahallas and civil society groups trained to undertake self-help initiatives as well as administer and undertake various public schemes in their communities;
•     50 communities completed social investment projects in their communities;
•     Experience codified and documented to allow subsequent intervention from UNDP and other organizations.
•     Creation of opportunities for low-income families for improvement of living standards by cattle-breeding and poultry keeping.

Additional resources

• The changing role and capacity of mahallas in the Ferghana region [PowerPoint Presentation - 635 KB]
• Assessment of the Changing Role and Capacity of the Mahallas in the Fergana Valley [Word Document - 79.5 KB]
• Family education project [PowerPoint Presentation - 622 KB]