“YouthBanks in Issyk-Kul Oblast” Summarized the Results of Two-Year Activities

published: 26 February 2015

The national conference “Youth Involvement in the Community Development Process” was held in Bishkek on February 25, 2015. The event was organized as part of the “YouthBanks in Issyk-Kul Oblast” Project, implemented by Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) with the financial support of Kumtor.
Participants of the meeting, representing the state authorities, youth movements, international and non-governmental organizations, discussed the most effective forms of youth involvement in the community development.

During the meeting, project participants listened to presentations of representatives of the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Youth and non-governmental sector, who shared their experiences and gave valuable advices to the young people. During discussions in working groups, young people managed to develop recommendations for further cooperation with public authorities and international organizations interested in the youth capacity building in Kyrgyzstan.

“Interaction with the youth is one of the top-priority tasks of the Company’s strategy for sustainable development of Issyk-Kul oblast. That is why we have supported the “YouthBanks in Issyk-Kul Oblast” Project, which provides an opportunity for the young people to implement their ideas and express their active civic standing. Within two years, the company has allocated about $300,000 to support projects aimed at improving education, promoting sports and healthy lifestyle, supporting cultural and environmental activities, as well as improving infrastructure. I am sure that these initiatives have benefited local communities,” President of Kumtor Gold Company Daniel Desjardins said.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration and Youth of the Kyrgyz Republic Marat Nuraliev told about the youth capacity building activities of his Ministry. “Creation of youth centers, intended to support the youth entrepreneurship, has become very successful. And I would like to thank EFCA and Kumtor Company for supporting initiatives of our young people,” Nuraliev said.

EFCA Executive Director Dinara Musabekova noted that the “YouthBanks” have achieved very good results in two years. More than 140 social projects have been implemented through them. “We are deeply grateful to Kumtor Company, which supported the youth of Issyk-Kul oblast. I also would like to encourage other large companies to support such long-term youth initiatives. Our young people have lots of ideas, which they are ready to put into practice,” Musabekova said.