Implementation of Alternative Livelihood Program in Kostanay Oblast, Republic of Kazakhstan

The Kostanay Oblast is one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in Kazakhstan. The failure of agricultural enterprises and decrease in agricultural production has resulted in increased unemployment and dependence of the local population upon natural resources of project site wetlands. As a result, an Alternative Livelihood Program has been developed to promote additional income sources for the local population within the framework of Kazakhstan National Coordination Unit of the Siberian Crane Wetland Project (SCWP).  The program activities are being developed at the project sites of Naurzum, Karasu and Kamystin districts of Kostanay Oblast.

The goal of the program: informing local communities about project activities, directed to the conservation of wetland biodiversity of the project sites, creation of new non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and building the capacity of local populations in the fields of ecology and ecotourism.

Project researchers survey rural residents to collect data on awareness levels of
conservation issues and the socioeconomic conditions of the project sites

The program consists of 12 main stages:

• Conducting surveys of local populations to identify awareness levels of rare and threatened waterbird species (particularly the Siberian Crane), of the global significance of the project sites, the necessity and subjects of training workshops on alternative livelihood activities and methods of NGO creation, and identification of additional income sources for the local population.

• Preparation of the project strategy on ecotourism and other alternative livelihood activities for the project sites and implementation of the activity plan.

• Creation of Project Site Management Committees.

• Preparation of training materials and distribution of these materials to all groups of the population within the project sites.

• Conducting meetings with the representatives of administrative and state bodies of the three project districts to present the objectives and tasks under the SCWP and the Alternative Livelihood Program and discussion of prospects for cooperation.

• Collection of statistical information on business activity and NGOs at the project sites.

• Conducting three cycles of training workshops on alternative livelihood options and methods of NGO creation and search for additional income sources for the local population.

• Work with active part of the population on creation of new NGOs at the project sites.

• Training of NGO leaders and active groups of the project sites in searching for additional income sources for the local population and methods for writing grant proposals.

• Establishment of resource and information centers at the project sites.

• Provision of consulting assistance in the preparation of grant proposals and search for donors.

• Conducting a number of workshops on ecotourism development.

Opening of the Ak Tyrna (White Crane) Information Resource Center in Karamendy village

In the two years since the program has been implemented the following key planned activities have been realized:

• Forty-five training and presentation workshops on alternative livelihood programs, methods of NGO creation and search for additional income sources for the local population were organized, in which 769 residents of the project sites were involved.

• Ninety meetings with the representatives of administrative and state bodies were held, where the SCWP was presented and issues on training and awareness raising were discussed, statistical information was collected, and prospects for cooperation were discussed.

• Site Management Committees were established and three meetings of the representatives of administration, state bodies, businessmen, teachers and rural populations were held, involving a total of 81 participants.

• 340 rural residents were questioned to define the awareness level of the population and for collection of information to conduct an analysis of the social-economic situation at the project sites.

• "Ak Tyrna" (White Crane) electronic network has been created, 120 Internet users are involved in it. Seven informational bulletins have been issued. The network participants are regularly informed about project implementation and about grant contests.

• "Ak Tyrna" Information Resource Centre has been created in Karamendy village. It has been equipped with a computer and office equipment and furniture by the project.

• Visual demonstration material for the workshops involving inhabitants of the project site villages has been prepared: stands with photos and descriptions, illustrating successful alternative livelihood projects.

• Materials for the workshops on ecotourism have been selected: tax legislation, requirements for guest houses and methodical developments.
  

Program training in Naurzum

The project experts on local community participation have been working on increasing the participation of local residents. As a result, the growth rate of business activity in Naurzum district has increased three times in contrast with 2006. Businesses established at the project sites include:

• A mini-bakery has been functioning in Urkash village of Kamystin district since 2007, a donor has been found and the equipment has been acquired within the framework of the project

• A barbershop is functioning in Ulendy village of Naurzum district.

• A private shop for the production of souvenirs has been organized - a local wood carving craftsman has received a set of electric tools.

• Two new cafes, a sauna and a public bath have been organized in Karamendy village, a mini-hotel is being prepared.

• A motor road from Kostanay to Karamendy village was restored by the time of 2006 Oblast games using “Siberian Crane” sign.

Questioning of the population in target villages has shown that none of the schools have Internet access and their remoteness from the main routes, district and oblast centers, and unorganized transport service results in the lack of information in a large number of villages. The creation of resource - information centers and their equipping, along with the creation of new NGOs, is one of the key priorities of the Program. Along with this, work on training NGO members and initiative group leaders on alternative livelihoods, searching for additional income sources, and their involvement in national and international meetings, training and environmental forums, is being conducted.

Presentation of computer equipment for NGO Ak Niet

This work has resulted in the following:

• Two new NGOs have been registered and one NGO has prepared for registration in Naurzum district, one new NGO is being registered in Kamystin district.

• "Ak Niet" NGO has set up an office and computer equipment.

• Leaders of newly established NGOs took part in a number of national and international workshops and conferences (in Livov city, in Almaty city, in Stepnogorsk city, in Aktyubinsk city).

• "Naurzum BioNet" NGO leader Maxim Glushkov has become a National Coordinator of Youth Ecological Network of RK NGO Ecoforum.

• Diana Utegenova, "Naurzum BioNet" NGO member, has become a Coordinator of the national network project on reforestation.

• Participants of RK NGO Ecoforum network and participants of Youth Ecological Network of RK Ecoforum of Kazakhstan have been involved in creative contests devoted to cranes.

To continue this work, there are plans to establish two additional Information Resource Centers at the project sites, to prepare a website on ecological tourism, to develop itineraries on reception of tourists, to conduct training tours on ecological tourism for NGO leaders and game reserve employees, to prepare advertising booklets, and to establish contacts with tourist agencies for the period of 2008-2009. Many other issues will be dealt with, which will assist the local population in making them accessible for the whole world, and improve the situation at the project sites.

For more information on this program please contact:
 
Vera Inyutina, Project Manager
Y. Salutina, SCWP Advisor
Astana city, Kazakhstan
tel./fax.: 8-317-2-34-01-45
vera.inyutina@mail.ru
http://www.scwpkaz.kepter.kz/

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Last update: 9 November 2007

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