“National Community Initiatives Project” Launched in Kyrgyzstan with Support from the World Bank

First Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce, Choro Seyitov, held a seminar with the participation of Senior Social Development Specialist of the World Bank, Christopher Finch, Executive Director of ARIS, Mars Naspekov, as well as representatives of key government agencies and heads of district state administrations.

The national seminar was dedicated to the launch of the National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP) — a large-scale government program aimed at rural development, job creation, and expanding economic opportunities across the regions of Kyrgyzstan.

The total project budget is US$27 million, including:

• US$25 million — an interest-free loan from the International Development Association (IDA) for 50 years with a 10-year grace period;
• US$2 million — a grant from the Early Learning Partnership (ELP) fund, financed by donors under the management of the World Bank.

The project focuses on climate-resilient village infrastructure development, job creation, and economic empowerment, especially for women, youth, and vulnerable groups in seven Oblasts (provinces) of the country.

The overall coordination of the project is carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MoEC) in cooperation with other government agencies. The Community Development and Investment Agency (ARIS) is responsible for implementation.

The project will cover 40 districts of Kyrgyzstan. In each district, one Aiyl Aimak will be selected and provided with up to US$450,000 for the implementation of social infrastructure projects — including kindergartens, schools, medical facilities, as well as heating, electricity, water supply, and irrigation systems.

Selection criteria:

• High poverty level (the highest in the district);
• Largest population size;
• Remoteness from the district center;
• Lowest amount of equalization transfers from the republican budget.

Special attention within the project is paid to social mobilization, ensuring the active participation of the population — especially women and youth — in planning and implementing local initiatives.

Support will be provided in the form of grants for the implementation of investment subprojects aligned with Socio-Economic Development Programs (SEDPs) of the regions.

Following a competitive selection process, based on the developed SEDPs, 15–20 Aiyl Aimaks will receive additional grants ranging from US$200,000 to US$300,000 for the implementation of economic subprojects.

As a result of the project, it is expected to:

• Address key local socio-economic development challenges;
• Expand access to quality services (including opening private kindergartens);
• Support women's entrepreneurship and develop women's leadership potential within communities.

As part of the project launch event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between ARIS and the OVOP+1 public association.

The project is implemented with financial support from the World Bank. The Interregional Department of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic serves as the coordinating body, and ARIS acts as the implementing agency.