Since 2018, the Eurasia Foundation Central Asia – Tajikistan (EFCA-Tajikistan) has been implementing the European Union (EU) funded project, Activating the Potential of CSOs as Actors and Partners in the Governance, Accountability and Implementation of Rural Development Projects.
The EU Delegation to Tajikistan notes that within the framework of the project local organizations were assisted in developing grant projects and subsequently in implementing these small projects aimed at rural development in Tajikistan. The organizations were able to expand cooperation with government agencies, the private sector and businesses in rural areas.
Public organizations from ten districts of Sughd and Khatlon provinces, as well as districts subordinate to the center have created mahalla committees. These committees have served as an accountable platform for governance while ensuring sustainable collaborative rural development.
The project was able to prove the importance of activating civil society organizations. Most of the mahalla committees started to engage in income-generating activities, which undoubtedly positively influenced their financial stability. The uniqueness of the project was that the project involved contributions from government agencies, entrepreneurs and the local community in solving common problems.
At the final conference, grantees shared the results achieved under the project, and EFCA-Tajikistan staff spoke about the achievements and lessons learned.
