On June 22, 2011, the ELS Programme has conducted a one-day experience exchange seminar for leaders of initiative groups from 15 project target mahallas, chairmen of 30 district kindergartens and representatives of district Mahalla Fund, Public education department and Water department. The participants were familiarized with modern energy saving technologies and had an opportunity to see the operation of solar heater installed in the kindergarten No.42. This has been followed by the presentation of best practices of “Uttizambar” mahalla’s initiative group, discussion of sustainability and hand over of project results achieved within the framework of ELS Programme.

“With the support of EU and efforts of ELS Programme team members to increase the capacity of our mahalla in strategic planning and participatory decision making, we were able to implement 2 projects indicated in our CDP. It is especially worthwhile to mention that Programme helped us to make one important step ahead towards environmental sustainability by installing a new solar heater in the kindergarten”- said the leader of “Uttizambar” mahalla initiative group at the beginning of his presentation. In his presentation, he emphasized the community mobilization and fundraising experience gained by initiative group members during the implementation of 2 priority projects .

At the end of the seminar, the participants developed exit strategies for 15 community infrastructure projects by setting a series of activities such as updating the CDPs, presenting them to local authorities for approval of projects included into CDPs, their inclusion into district annual budgets, establishing project management groups and monitoring the project results, carrying out necessary repair works and ensuring the sustainability of the project, mobilizing community and resources for the implementation of CDP priorities, disseminating community development best practices to neighboring mahallas.