NGOs of South Kazakhstan are starting the implementation of advocacy mini-projects in local communities

ALMATY – From the end of January 2016 winners of mini-projects competition had started the implementation of their projects within the programme “Empowering South Kazakhstan CSOs to Promote Human Rights Reforms” supported by the European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan. The competition was conducted among 23 NGOs, working in 4 regions of South Kazakhstan (South Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kyzylorda and Zhambyl oblasts) and who underwent the human rights thematic trainings and advocacy workshops. For the implementation of each 17 mini-projects, chosen by the Expert Committee, were given grants amounting to EUR 3846. The projects will be implemented within 12 months period. Advocacy projects are aimed to improve an access to legal support and information for society members, and projects include advocacy in community processes and instruments.

On the 25^th of January, 2016 EFCA, with the financial support from British Embassy Astana, conducted grant seminar in Almaty for winners of mini-projects competition to familiarize themselves with the structure and timeline for reporting, and practical tools to conduct monitoring and evaluation of mini-projects and ensure effective communication with all relevant stakeholders during course of mini-projects and relevant coverage of the project in mass media. The seminar will attend two representatives from each NGO: the mini-project directors and accountants.  

As a result of mini-projects it is expected that NGOs would provide services to vulnerable groups of the society, including disabled people, women and children, vulnerable youth and orphans, with the aim to support their access to rights related to local and family issues of health, education, employment and social services. It is also expected that advocacy projects will satisfy high level of local demand for legal/advocacy consulting, and collect valuable data on issues of access to justice in South Kazakhstan for informing local community, authorities, civil society and other stakeholders.

Simultaneously with the mini-projects implementation the mentorship programme had started. Depending on the activities each NGO has an authoritative human rights mentor-organization. Within 12 months period mentors will consult and supervise work with target groups and also support a creation of “communities of practice” depending on target beneficiaries.

Bakytgul Elchibaeva, the head of the Local Communities Foundation of Yenbekshikazakh District, highlights: “Within our joint project with NGO “Alakol-Qamror” “Changing the life together” in partnership with Employment and Social Programs Coordination Administration of Almaty oblast, and with experts assistance it is planned to work out common requirements to rural regions bids to provide taxi services for disabled and technical specifications, and make required alterations to improve the quality of services for disabled people.”