“For development the sky is the limit” - in such a way Ms. Kori Udovicki, UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the CIS, expressed her perspective on the potentials of community development projects, during the two-day visit to the ELS project sites, in the  Fergana region.

On April 23-24, a visit by representatives of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, Ms. Kori Udovicki, Regional Director, and Mr.Jan Harfst, Head of Division for Central Asia, took place in the districts of Uzbekistan and Yazyavan, in the Fergana region, to acquaint themselves with the progress and results achieved within the joint project of the Government of Uzbekistan, European Union and UNDP: "Enhancement of Living Standards (ELS) in the Fergana Valley". The visit to the communities of “Karimdevona”, “Katta Kaynar” and “Navruz” , was preceded by the courtesy meeting with the Deputy Khokim of Fergana region, Mr.Shukhrat Turdikulov,  in which both sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation.

In the spirit of national hospitality, a refreshing cup of tea and luscious flat cakes were offered to the guests in “Karimdevona”. Here, with the support of the ELS project, an electric power transmission system which would improve electricity supply for more than 2000 residents, has been planned and has started to be implemented. About 50% of contributions to this initiative are from the community members themselves.

In the following community, “Katta Kaynar” , guests visited the new ‘guzar’ (or community center) built by the residents with the assistance of the district’s Khokimiyat, as well as  glanced at the construction process of the new first aid medical point, designed to serve more than 5,300 people, and implemented with the  support of the ELS project. When it is completed and staffed, the medical point will be able to provide first aid to four neighboring communities, which are most distant from the district center.

The second day started with the trip to Yazyavan district’s “Navruz” community, where the project  to rehabilitate the drinking water supply system, was conducted, and resulted in the enhancement of sanitation and the decrease in the number of  cases of viral intestinal infections, benefiting more than 2600 mahalla residents.

To learn how the income generation component is integrated to rural development, the guests visited the newly opened enterprise on agricultural machinery’s maintenance. Despite only one month period of activity, the workshop has already managed to negotiate several profitable contracts with local businesses and farms.

As the visit came to conclusion, Ms.Kori Udovicki expressed her feelings: "I’m really glad to see how our joint efforts have changed people’s thinking and how they are encouraged when sharing their plans for further community development. Indeed, the development has no limits. Most importantly, acquired knowledge and experience has been used successfully and is transmitted to other communities. This is a key to ensure sustainability and further development in rural areas."

 

                   

 

 

 

For additional information: 
EU and UNDP partnership: http://www.els.uz/index.php/en/news/298-eu-and-undp-promoting-rural-development-the-results-of-6-years-working-together- 
Water supply and sanitation - http://www.els.uz/index.php/en/news/245-water-supply-and-sanitation
Microcredits - http://www.els.uz/index.php/en/news/164-sharing-the-success
Community Development plans -
http://www.els.uz/index.php/en/news/262-briefing-session-presented-good-practices-and-lessons-learnt-on-community-development