The project works with communities and has trained each community initiative groups to develop community development plans. These plans that include the costs for the maintenance of the water infrastructure projects clearly indicate who is responsible for the maintenance of the water infrastructures once they have been rehabilitated with the help of the project.

By December 2007 the project also plans to organize a series of activities to increase the awareness of the communities on the necessity to save water. The first of these events was organized in collaboration with the UNV Programme in Uzbekistan.

With the help of the UNV Programme, the project engaged an experienced and knowledgeable senior international volunteer– Mr. Ole Elgsaether to meet with the communities. From 8-10^th October, community initiative groups met and discussed with the volunteer on improved water management and conservations in their own communities. Some of the communities which they visited were Miskin, Chimen, Honqiz, Chekshura and Nurafshon. Visits to community project sites and discussions served to increase the awareness of the population on the necessity to save water and participate in maintaining water systems and improve community skills in ensuring that water control mechanisms are in place and running.

Uzbekistan has a rich tradition of volunteerism and community involvement to support innovation. The ELS programme utilizes the time honored practice of Hashar which fosters a sense of local ownership and helps save money. Hashar calls for members of a village to work voluntarily for the benefit of the whole community. By tapping into this tradition and mobilizing local people to contribute their labour, assets and equipment, the ELS works with communities in a way that they can feel, touch and see. This joint effort between the project and the UNV Programme has just served to build on community efforts and promote the spirit of volunteerism, the true basis of the ELS community projects.

“The project helps people believe in their capacities to influence their own development”, said Ole Elgsaether during one of his visits to communities. “It also shows what people can do concretely to support their country in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, one of which is about better access to water, the most important thing in people’s life.”