On July 31, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $27 million for Kyrgyzstan's National Community Initiatives Project (NCIP). The project aims to improve access to socioeconomic infrastructure and increase economic opportunities at a local level, focusing on women and youth. Hugh Riddell, World Bank’s Country Manager for the Kyrgyz Republic, commented, “The National Community Initiatives Project builds on more than a decade of the Government’s successful community-driven development initiatives and aims to scale up, standardize, and deepen their impact. The project will also build the capacity of local governments to work effectively with communities on development priorities, ensuring a more prosperous future for all.” The project will be implemented through 2029 by Kyrgyzstan’s Community Development and Investment Agency. As part of the Village Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Investments component, the project will directly benefit rural populations in 40 Aiyl Aimaks (sub-districts), one per district across the country. Each selected sub-district will receive up to $450,000 for socioeconomic infrastructure identified through a participatory village needs assessment and decision-making process. Eligible infrastructure may include kindergartens, schools, health facilities, water supply systems, and other climate-adaptive investments such as renewable energy sources, energy-efficient street lighting, drip irrigation, and disaster preparedness. Within the Grants for Climate-Smart Local Economic Development and Livelihood Activities component, 15 competitively selected sub-districts will receive grants of $200,000 to $300,000 for local economic development. The objective is to enhance economic opportunities, enabling businesses to launch or expand while creating jobs for women, youth, and vulnerable groups. Economic sub-projects will target agricultural processing, handicrafts, eco-tourism, and green enterprises. The project will also finance comprehensive training for local self-government and communities in participatory needs assessment and planning; selection, management, and monitoring of village investments; climate change; and economic empowerment. The project will also look to engage women and youth in local planning and investment processes, ensuring their priorities for regional infrastructure and livelihood investments (such as medical facilities, schools, and kindergartens) are addressed, and providing tailored training to strengthen women’s leadership in social and economic spheres. Support will also be offered for women's entrepreneurship, the establishment of private childcare facilities, and targeted youth engagement opportunities.
