The awarding ceremony was organized in the framework of the "Strengthening Voice and Accountability: Citizens’ Participation and Oversight of Budgetary Processes" project. The project aims at ensuring participation of citizens in budgetary processes and strengthening the capacity of municipalities to improve services delivered to citizens. It is implemented by the Development Policy Institute with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. 

The competition for grant support has been announced among all municipalities of the Chuy province. In total 33 applications were submitted, out of which 15 projects with the highest scores were selected by the committee. According to the conditions of the competition, grant funds are allocated to local budgets and used exclusively for financing of the projects aimed at addressing local issues and improving living conditions of local communities. 

“In 2017, 9 out of 15 supported projects are meant to improve conditions for children of preschool and school age. These projects were voted and chosen by local communities of 15 municipalities at their village gatherings organized by municipalities," - said Bekbolot Bekiev, manager of the project.

“I hope that citizens will continue to be involved in the budgetary processes at the local level, since local development should be a joint effort of citizens, municipalities and stakeholders at the national level,” - said Danielle Meuwly Monteleone, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic.  

The list of winning municipalities is as follows: 

This was the result of cooperation with the project ”Voice of citizens and accountability of local self-governments” financed by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Development Policy Institute.

The project aims at more transparent and effective management of local finances by local self-governments through increased accountability and citizens’ participation in decision-making processes.

Following a decision-making process actively involving citizens and ensuring transparent management of local finances, the municipalities of Onbir-Jylga Ayil Aimak in Chui rayon and Boroldoi Ayil Aimak in Kemin rayon, acquired needed equipment (furniture for children, toys, books, and kitchen equipment) for two kindergartens. Both projects were selected by citizens and successfully passed a competitive selection process in the frame of the small grant program of the project.

The project provided 1 million soms to both municipalities which added their own resources amounted to 100’000 soms in Boroldoi and 150’000 soms in Onbir-Jylga.

15 small projects were supported within the small grant program of the “Voice of citizens and accountability of local self-governments” project in 2017 for a total of almost 15 million soms. The small projects financed at municipal levels are related to improved drinking water supply, street lighting, public transportation, recreation services and education.