USAID/OTI Kyrgyzstan Quarterly Report
|
|
April - June 2011 |
Printer Friendly (121kb - pdf) |
Program Description
USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) launched the Kyrgyz Republic Transition Initiative (KRTI) in May 2010. The program was created in response to the political crisis generated by the overthrow of the Kurmanbek Bakiyev regime in April and was well-positioned to act in response to the outbreak of ethnic violence and mass displacement in the southern regions of Osh and Jalalabad in June 2010.
The OTI program is working at a critical time to help the people of the Kyrgyz Republic consolidate democratic governance and ensure social and political stability during the period leading up to and following parliamentary elections in October 2010 and presidential elections scheduled for October 30, 2011.
Activities
OTI's programmatic goal is to promote stability and support local efforts to establish a more stable and secure democracy. As part of these efforts, OTI provides small grants to civil society, government, and private-sector partners to implement high-impact, short-term projects in volatile communities. The targeted assistance supports the ongoing democratic political transition and addresses emerging sources of instability and drivers of conflict at the community level. Projects aim to build trust both within communities and between citizens and government and create momentum for continued long-term development.
Specific program objectives include the following:
Mitigating Conflict – OTI engages marginalized, conflict-prone communities through locally driven activities that include rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure and increasing short-term income and employment opportunities. OTI also supports media initiatives to increase access to reliable information and activities that expand community dialogue and enhance respect for pluralism and tolerance.
Improving Inclusive Governance – The program encourages inclusivity and responsiveness at the national and local levels, while increasing the ability of citizens and communities to engage constructively in democratic processes. OTI is providing technical and material assistance to help the government restore critical functions and improve delivery of basic services, thereby restoring the trust of the citizenry. OTI also supports strategic communication efforts and media initiatives that convey reliable information about critical government plans, programs, and policies to inform the public's decision making.
Country Situation
Kyrgyzstan became Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy, following a constitutional referendum, in June 2010. A national parliamentary election in October 2010 resulted in considerable political wrangling and a less than cohesive ruling coalition. The country remains beset by a level of instability that is hindering the democratic transition. Endemic problems include rampant corruption, nepotism, and lack of transparent financial management. Organized crime is present and a variety of illicit activities are thriving. Divisions between Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities, real and imagined, garner significant attention; however, other issues—such as inequities between rural and urban areas or competition between northern and southern political elites—can be more polarizing. Other overarching problems include the poor management of natural resources and decaying Soviet-era infrastructure. Lack of economic opportunity increases competition for limited services and resources, breeds resentment, and predisposes the citizenry—young and old, men and women—to mobilization, protest and, possibly, violence for financial reasons. Opportunistic manipulation is enabled by a lack of access to frequent, reliable, and objective information that can dispel rumors and inform citizen decision making.
Despite these obstacles, Kyrgyzstan is brimming with opportunity. The country has demonstrated, relative to its neighbors, a significant potential for democratic reform and openness toward independent media. In addition, Kyrgyzstan has a sophisticated and dynamic civil society and a highly literate population, including a large number of young people who are exploring and embracing the power of technology. Furthermore, the country's shared religious identity, historical reliance on collective community initiative, and growing sense of national pride are all factors that can support the peaceful mobilization of the society by responsible leaders.
Throughout the volatile springtime months, political and economic stagnation continued. Dramatic increases in commodity prices and fears about slowing market activity and the possibility that trade will move to neighboring countries continue to raise concerns. Citizens are discontent with the political process at the national level, and headlines question the stability of the ruling coalition. In the south, especially in Osh, discontent with the pace of recovery efforts and the perceived inequity in the allocation of recovery assistance exacerbated tensions during the quarter. Nevertheless, signs of normal life have slowly returned in Osh and Jalalabad. Members of different ethnic groups are interacting without incident in the bazaars, on city streets, and in multiethnic neighborhoods and schools even though suspicions persist.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (KIC) released its report on the 2010 violence in Osh and Jalalabad, and the group's Finish chairperson was quickly declared a persona non grata by resolution of the Kyrgyzstan Parliament. The KIC's findings were widely disputed and the parliamentary declaration illustrates the strident opinions held concerning the causes of the upheaval. Opinions on how to prevent a repeat of the violence also differ. Following the rebuke, observers expressed concerns about a spike in efforts to restrict access to independent media. In addition, observers have expressed concerns about an increase in nationalistic rhetoric as presidential campaigns kick into high gear.
Upcoming Events
| July |
- |
Adoption of election law and election of the Central Election Commission |
| July - October |
- |
Parliamentary recess; presidential election campaign |
| October 30 |
- |
Presidential election (scheduled) and possible constitutional referendum |
Grants Summary
Since program start-up, OTI has funded 139 grants totaling over $9.4 million through its implementing partner, International Resources Group. The table below shows grants cleared and funding by objective for the quarter and since program inception.
Grants Summary by Objective
| Mitigating Conflict within Communities |
22 |
102 |
$2,721,246 |
$7,307,430 |
| Improving Responsive Governance |
12 |
37 |
$810,360 |
$2,095,729 |
| Total |
34 |
139 |
$3,531,606 |
$9,403,159 |
Highlights
|
| Youths in Osh clean drainage ditches and repair streets during the anniversary of the June 2010 violence.
|
| |
Engaging Young People in Community Works – During the week of June 10, OTI partnered with local authorities in eight communities across Osh and Jalalabad to employ approximately 1,800 at-risk youths from mixed ethnic backgrounds in community rehabilitation projects. The focused activity, which coincided with the anniversary of last year's violence, was initiated as part of the ongoing, nationwide Renewal Campaign. A large percentage of Kyrgyzstan's young people are unemployed and disengaged from the political processes surrounding the country's political transition, making them vulnerable to manipulation—through financial incentives—by entities that would stir up youth resentment and direct it toward violence along ethnic lines. OTI and local leaders saw the mid-June anniversary period as a critical time and sought to engage at-risk youths in constructive community projects, not only to help mitigate potential conflict in the short run but also to improve shared community infrastructure and help lay the groundwork for future reconciliation.
Supporting Budget Transparency at the Local Level – In early May, OTI began supporting an effort by the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia to train 1,266 local government officials and civil society representatives from 197 communities in transparent and inclusive budgeting practices. In addition, the project is providing support for public budget hearings in 397 communities across Kyrgyzstan. Through this effort, OTI's support is leveraging the impact of an ongoing project being funded by the World Bank in partnership with the Kumtor Operating Company. The project is helping local government officials and civil society representatives to improve the effectiveness of local budgeting processes and engage constituencies in public budget hearings, which will facilitate transparency, result in local budgets aligned with community priorities, and engender confidence in local government.
Building Capacity of Ministerial Public Advisory Boards – On March 10, Kyrgyzstan's President signed a decree establishing Public Advisory Boards in all government agencies. The purpose of the boards is to improve engagement between State institutions and their constituencies, increase transparency in budgeting and spending processes, and address emerging priorities. OTI is providing resources to the Agency for Social Technologies so it can train members of the 25 newly established Public Advisory Boards in budgeting and legislation analysis. By equipping the boards' members with these crucial skills, OTI seeks to enhance the boards' abilities to advocate for constituent priorities, facilitate systems that work for the public interest, and bolster citizen confidence in government.
Using Technology to Help Citizens Engage with Parliament – In April, OTI partnered with the Civil Initiative on Internet Policy (CIIP) to increase the ability of citizens to engage constructively with government officials via a web-based public communication portal. CIIP will design, develop, test, and launch the portal—a unique 21st-century tool that integrates popular social media platforms, including Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and other applications popular in the former Soviet Union, to facilitate citizen engagement with government. The portal will provide access to reliable information sources and allow citizens to address concerns directly to members of Parliament.
|
| U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen welcomes a young man into Kyrgyzstan's Youth Parliament.
|
| |
Engaging Young People in the Political Process – Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, the Speaker of Parliament, and representatives from four of Kyrgyzstan's five parliamentary factions kicked off a five-month Youth Parliament during the quarter. The activity is bringing 58 high school students to the capital to participate in five separate Youth Parliament sessions. During the six-day sessions,
the participants learn about democratic processes, constituency development, and formulating policy and legislation. The participants also observe parliamentary debates and produce mock legislation for a variety of committees. The project will culminate with the students presenting a list of priorities and recommendations to members of Parliament and the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
Expanding the Kush Kabar News Platform – During the quarter, OTI supported an ongoing media initiative that gives citizens access to reliable political and economic news. The support is helping expand the availability of the innovative Kush Kabar Internet and Interactive Voice Response (telephone) news platform, which is also supported by the Soros Foundation. In addition to providing honoraria for the journalists and staff involved in the project, OTI funding will support a media campaign to attract more cell phone users to the network.
Supporting Media Independence through Audience Research – At the end of March, research firm M-Vector presented the findings of a nationwide media-consumption survey to leading TV and radio station managers, government officials, and advertising firms. The findings are derived from the largest sampling of any media-measurement initiative in Kyrgyzstan to date, revealing TV and radio viewing and listening habits and providing information on newspaper readership, Internet access and usage, and audience attitudes toward social issues. The information is invaluable to media outlets. It will allow organizations to assess the size and demographic composition of their audiences so they can enhance programming and scheduling and market their services to increase revenue and, thereby, their independence.
Program Appraisal
Overall, the OTI program is viewed by the U.S. Government, grantees, and neutral observers as highly successful, responsive, and innovative.
During the quarter, OTI conducted a series of programmatic evaluations, including a management review, a strategy review session, and an annual program performance review. The program strategy continues to be relevant, as the risk factors for violence in Kyrgyzstan remain undiminished. In addition, the potential for violence could rise if the economy worsens or if politicians stoke animosities in the run-up to the presidential election. Furthermore, the reviewers noted that the various risk factors are likely to carry into the period following the election.
Next Steps
OTI priorities for the next quarter include the following:
- Build on past successes by strategically targeting activities to maximize impact;
- Launch a SMS-based social network to dramatically expand the reach and impact of communication initiatives;
- Identify and fill critical gaps in efforts to support free and fair elections;
- Identify potential sources of supplemental funding to ensure a flexible and responsive mechanism to address instability during the potentially volatile summer months and following the presidential election; and
- Continue to link efforts into longer-term USAID conflict programming, as well as USAID's other long-term development initiatives and other national and international programs, as part of the handover process.
For further information, please contact:
Lisa Bower, Asia & Middle East Program Manager, 202-712-0817, lbower@usaid.gov.
|
