The ELS and ABD programmes pilot local approaches to improve lives in in Karakalpakstan, Fergana Valley, Kashkadarya and Tashkent regions. The programmes is structured around an integrated approach, whereby the components of empowering local communities and income generation serve as complementary pilot interventions in support of the preparation of regional development and local plans based on the local Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The project policy planning component develops the capacity of government officials and Mahalla authorities to formulate regional plans in a participatory manner. The community development component pioneers new aspects of social mobilization to identify the main problems of the communities and ways to overcome them through the rehabilitation of social infrastructures co-financed by communities. The microfinance component supports the capacity of local micro credit institutions and consolidated group lending methodologies. The projects also helps small-scale agricultural farmers to achieve greater economies of scale by establishing farm enterprises for collective purchasing, production and marketing arrangements.

The programme main activities are training and capacity building in local development planning for government officials and community leaders. Practical demonstrations of participatory community development approaches and mobilization of local communities are key factors in the rehabilitation of rural infrastructures. Capacity building and training in microfinance, business administration and financial monitoring help local financial institutions to develop and implement the microcredits schemes targeted to the poor. Training in income generation to microcredit clients improve their capacity to use credit effectively and set up viable and sustainable business. Training in cooperative administration and business management, coupled with support to access to credit, make it possible for small farmers cooperatives to access start up capital, generate income and contribute to rural development.

The main outputs are:
Regional and local development plans prepared by local authorities and socio-economic data disaggregated by gender, for selected districts systemized for further use and monitoring of development plans.
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.
Increased capacity of the regional and local governments to engage communities and local institutions in income generating activities
 These outputs have contributed to increase: (i) capacity for policy planning at regional and local levels; (ii) reinforce the development capacity of local governance; (iii) create and strengthen pilot income generation schemes in rural areas.
What was achieved?

280 local partners in central and local institutions trained on regional strategies and participatory development

3 regional living standards assessment, 4 regional strategies and 16 local development plans;

210 community maps, including MDG community baselines

212 community projects (e.g. water, gas medical points) completed benefiting people in 210 communities (approximately 500, 000 people)

16 local training and resource centres created to provide sustainability and support to community projects

Over 17,500 people in community based organizations, students, journalists and communities trained on MDGs, participatory techniques, project development and monitoring

Over 517,000 USD worth of microcredits disbursed to approx. 2,100 people

11 farmers enterprises established and equipped and personnel trained

Over 570 farmers trained during eight professional trainings on topics identified by farmers through focus group meetings.

Thanks to the project, more than 260,100 people in four regions can now drink clean piped water (about 30% of the population of the targeted districts in Namangan, 7% in Karakalpakstan, 15.5% in Fergana region and 2.4% in Kaskadarya region). The total number of water pipeline systems built is 82 and number of water hand pumps installed is 105. Over 2,000 people have benefited from five hundred thousand USD worth of microcredit and 238 farmers were trained in administration, business management and skills enhancement (agricultural production, horticulture, micro irrigation, and soil fertility) and equipment purchased with the programme funds.