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Jalal-Abad, Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan
2021 - 2023
Short description
The project is aimed at enhancing cross-border environmental and socio-economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The project will build confidence and trust between local governments, communities and CSOs through the empowerment of women and youth, as important peacebuilding agents. Climate-smart agricultural practices in sustaining common resources will be applied by this project as well as the establishment of common platforms and networks to foster positive social, cultural and economic exchange between communities on both sides of the border. The project will take into consideration lessons learned and experience from previous cross-border programmes in Ferghana Valley.
Main purpose
Climate adaptation / resilience,
Increasing agricultural productivity / crop and cattle protection,
Gender equality,
Entry point for dialogue and mediation between conflicting groups,
Trust building between conflicting groups
Other expected benefits
Land restoration for increased soil fertility / reversal of land degradation,
Reduced environmental degradation from sustainable resource use,
Provision / protection / diversification of employment and livelihoods / poverty reduction,
Increasing community cohesion / community building,
Protect / restore cultural, spiritual, or religious assets
Conflict context
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan share 1,378 km of the border. Over the last 30 years, relationships between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have been generally peaceful but there are notable border incidents that marred the partnership between the countries. The two countries have delimited 1170 of the 1378 kilometers of the border (~85%), with only slightly more than 200 kilometers left to be agreed on. The risk of low-scale conflicts, however, persists and can be estimated as medium risk. A possible deterioration can be expected unless pro-active peacebuilding initiatives are carried out. The governments’ continuous efforts to facilitate the cooperation need to be further enhanced by the international community with a focus on promoting interest-based cooperation between local governments and the people.
There are multiple root causes and drivers of the conflicts in the border area, including incomplete demarcation, the competition for natural resources, and the presence of enclaves/exclaves. The ineffective water management, governance gaps, the enforcement of the border regime in areas previously not having a physical border (and grievances of population due to the border enforcement, sometimes with violation of human rights) have contributed to and have driven the growing tension.
Peace and security contributions
- 90% of key interviewed stakeholders acknowledge the improved relationship (increased trust) between Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan at the community level.
- The percentage of key stakeholders who believe that economic cooperation between Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan improved by 10%.
- In the final presentation of the Youth Acceleration programme participants integrated knowledge gained from trainings on agro-startups whereby conflict sensitivity, gender equality are applied. In total 14 participants out of 20 of the programme were able to receive the financial and technical support from different investors and benefit from the programme.
- Women feel more confident about their roles within families and communities to contribute to community development and building peace in their daily lives and they have learnt how to set up a business plan that is conflict, gender and environmentally sensitive.
Reported elements of good practices
The MenEngage approach, whereby a balanced dialogue is facilitated between men and women about constructed roles, relationships, and responsibilities of men and women, has built awareness that men and women do not have the same needs but that they do have the same rights. Women have reported that they feel more supported by their husbands and sons in their business and work. The MenEngage group also provided a safe space for men to speak about how they feel and understand their own privileges and power, and are willing to give them up. The approach does not treat men as problems or obstacles; both male and female allies should work for a positive development approach. Traditional safe spaces for women already existed before the project.
Reported challenges
- Conservative gender norms restrict women economically and socially. As a result, women are not active participants in local planning and cross-border negotiations.
- Limited access to sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities
- Most of the border crossing points across Uzbekistan were closed prior to 2016. This resulted in worsening of people-to-people relations, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange across the border. Since 2016 many border crossing points were re-opened but internally oriented thinking still prevails.
Practical details of implementation
- The project has empowered young men and women through technical expertise of climate-smart agriculture and supporting entrepreneurship and trade for women. The project also addresses harmful norms and practices such as unequal distribution of household work and care, lack of education and employment opportunities for women, by working with men on gender stereotypes etc.
- Exit strategy: capacity building of local authorities, initiating regular cross-border events, creating a communication platform, improving beneficiaries’ access to grants and other development support in the country.
Method of monitoring environmental and peace impacts
The number of households who have been trained and benefit from inputs, e.g. mini-equipment, storage facilities, fertilizers, drought-resistant and frost-resistant seedlings and seeds, and resource-efficient irrigation systems based on assessment.
Peace impacts were monitored through interviews with important stakeholders, minutes of village meetings, analysis of agreements between participants, and feedback and recommendations from participants.
