Enhancement of Living Standards in Andijan and Namangan Regions
Background
The project strategy in Andijan is to test and replicate the participatory development approaches successfully introduced by the ELS projects in Karakalpakstan, Namangan Phase I and Fergana regions. The focus is on capacity building of local authorities and institutions in regional planning, and test concrete pilot applications of development planning at community level (improved access to basic services and income generation) as an integrated project strategy. The strategy is also to facilitate coordination activities with the WIS and donors coordination events.
In Namangan, the project strategy is two fold: (i) to reinforce the capacity of the 3 districts covered under Phase I and expand the community development approaches tested during Phase I and ELS project in Fergana to 4 new districts (for a total of 7 districts) and (ii) to tailor the income generation component to the needs of rural households and small farmers with a focus on equitable access to capital, markets, means of production, knowledge and support/advisory services.
Like its predecessors the project uses an inclusive and participatory approach to local development. It uses the MDGs as a starting point to identify problems and target setting, both when assisting the authorities to prepare development plans and address community problems. In this way it seeks to foster a dialogue with authorities and communities and at the same time, ensure coherence of field interventions with national planning. It is flexible because it tries to be highly responsive to changes so that project interventions can remain relevant and appropriate to the local context.
The project will ensure that the three objectives are pursued and achieved in a complementary way by linking their implementation and ensuring synergy.
Objectives
Specific objective 1 - Increase the capacity of authorities at all levels to formulate and execute development strategies/plans in a participatory manner in Andijan
Specific objective 2. - Increase the capacity of rural communities to participate in local development processes and undertake self-help initiatives to improve basic services in Namangan
Specific objective 3. - Promote community based private initiatives for equitable local economic development in Namangan.
Achievements & expected results
Expected result 1.1. - Improved theoretical understanding of poverty issues and practical application of poverty alleviation policies and techniques by local authorities in Andijan;
Expected result 2.1. - Improved public service delivery
Expected result 2.2. - Organizational capacity of 113 Mahallas reinforced
Expected result 3.1. - Business and advisory capacity of Mahallas build;
Expected result 3.2. - Community economic productivity improved