DUSHANBE, April 10, Asia-Plus — “The Civil Society Support Center “Third Sector” is able now to provide mini grants ranging from US$300 to US$400,” Ms. Muhabbat Pirnazarova, head of the Civil Society Support Center “Third Sector”, told journalists following the roundtable meeting to discuss issues of preparations for the forthcoming fair of non-government organizations (NGO) that was held in Dushanbe on April 7.
According to her, the “Third Sector” Center was established in Dushanbe in 2003 and at present there are 215 actively operating NGOs in Dushanbe. “The main directions and priorities of our activity are to provide assistance in sustainable development of the third sector in the capital city and districts subordinate to the center,” Ms. Pirnazarova said.
On the specific directions of their activity, she noted that the Center was providing technical assistance, information support to NGOs as well as providing them free access to Internet,” said Ms. Pirnazarova, “We, in particular, deal with issues of education and healthcare as well as helping resolve problems facing women, youth, children, and environmental protection.”
Commenting on critical statements by some experts about NGO’s in Tajikistan, Muhabbat Pirnazarova stated, “These statements have not been confirmed.” “Nobody prevents us from working: neither our authorities nor civil society or international organizations.”
