On September 27, the World Tourism Day, the Green Destinations Platform unveiled the TOP 100 List of Good Practice Stories from all over the world, sharing and promoting stories that recount innovative and effective initiatives and projects from destinations working towards more sustainable development globally. Kyrgyzstan was represented in this event by Destination Karakol, Destination Osh, the Kyrgyz Community-Based Tourism Association, the Swiss Bai Alai Project, the Swiss Sustainable Winter Tourism Development Project and the EU SWITCH-Asia GreenTour: Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Kyrgyzstan Project which initiated participation of the above organizations in the Green Destinations’ Annual Conference. Earlier this year, GreenTour and Bai Alai Projects have supported Alay in submitting a good practice story to the TOP 100 Green Destinations’ competition. The submitted good practice story is about reducing poverty among rural women through a decisive approach that was applied by the key stakeholders - CBT Alay, Bai Alai, Business Women of Alay Association, wool producers, the municipality, and the partners - to support and expose women artisans to working with tourists and ultimately, earning income for their families. The story highlights steps taken by the key stakeholders to promote handicrafts on the national, regional and international levels through a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach in gender mainstreaming, product development, marketing and promotion. Combination of these steps resulted in boosting the interest in products, additional income for women, a rise in their self-esteem and a successful social integration. Apart from the good practice story write-up, the competition requires a compliance with the 15 basic sustainability principles. Alay has successfully met the sustainability requirements and compliance with the standards with support of the Bai Alai and GreenTour projects. Alay District of Kyrgyzstan has won a place among the 2022 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories in recognition of its efforts towards responsible tourism and distinctive appeal. Alay is the first destination from Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Russian-speaking countries in general to get this recognition and award. The unique Alay products are promoted as an interesting tourist experience with a careful consideration of the sustainability principles. Alay is proud of conserving the national culture through popularization of crafts. As a result of these initiatives promoted systematically, tourist numbers have grown from 4 to 16.5 thousand in four years. The average spending increased from 15 to 50 USD/day. Total sales by CBT grew from $1400 in 2017 to $3020 in 2021 (maybe a percentage of the increase, to avoid numbers in dollars). We are proud of this achievement and believe that Green Destinations award will bring additional benefits to the Alay people in the future, while Helvetas Kyrgyzstan will continue to support the district to achieve system-level improvements. Background Information Green Destinations Green Destinations is a global nonprofit organization created in the Netherlands to support sustainable destinations, their businesses and their communities. Green Destinations’ core programs, the Awards and Certification Program for destinations, the Good Travel Program for businesses and the Top 100 Sustainability Stories are the main pillars of a country-wide stewardship approach that we have developed and piloted in Slovenia, Estonia, Australia, Brazil and Guyana. Green Destinations 2022 is taking place from 26th to 29th September, hosted by the City of Athens. The event connects sustainability professionals, destinations, as well as tourism boards and businesses of all sizes through good practices that support peer-to-peer learning to discover initiatives, practical tools, and solutions for sustainable tourism destinations. Alay Alay is a district in the Osh province located in the south-west of Kyrgyzstan, bordering with China to the east and Tajikistan to the south. The area of Alay district is 6821 km2 and the population is 91'876. Traditionally, the main forms of livelihood are based on livestock farming, hay making and primarily rain-fed agriculture. Cultivation of potato, barley and wheat provides only small surplus yields for selling locally. Poverty has been widespread in Alay, the cumulative percentage of poor and very poor in 2017 was 57%. The economy was largely subsistence-oriented. Substantial support to the households has been fueled by remittances from family members working in urban centers of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia. To reduce the impact of these issues, alternative sources of income and poverty reduction measures were urgently needed. Bai Alai BAI ALAI – Small Business and Income Creation Programme is a ten-year initiative, in an area with a total population of about 100’000 and with a budget of approximately CHF 6, 7 million. Primary beneficiaries and right-holders are all 24’000 households in Alai and Chon Alai, in particular women and young men. The Programme focus on two components to realize its goals: 1. Livestock: (i) cattle and small livestock, (ii) cashmere, and (iii) poultry for egg production subsectors; and 2. Local Economic Development facilitating and to initiatives of (young) women and men for establishing businesses in (i) hospitality and tourism, (ii) specific women and youth-led/-oriented Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and activities, and (iii) machinery services Greentour: Sustainable Tourism Development in Kyrgyzstan. The overall project objective is to boost the transformation of Kyrgyzstan towards a green economy by enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of tourism as a key sector. With this project, Helvetas, together with our partners Stichting European Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Tourism – Netherlands (ECEAT), the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association Hospitality Kyrgyzstan (KCBTA), responds to the objectives of the Kyrgyz government to advance a more sustainable tourism, involving communities, and diversifying tourism products in order to attract new target groups and clients. The project is funded by the European Union's SWITCH-Asia program and by donations.
Assignment Title: Consultant services for monitoring participants of trainings on GALS in 4 sectors of the "Bai Alai" Programme. Location(s): Osh, Alai, Chon Alai districts. Contract duration: February 20 to May 30, 2022. The main result of the assignments: In order to assess the empowerment of women and youth by identifying gender-sensitive actions with the beneficiaries of 4 sectors - to create income for families, improve access of women and youth to resources and assets, as well as change norms, attitudes and behavior of representatives of different generations to overcome gender stereotypes, as well as strengthen the role of women and their participation in the decision-making process both at the household and at the community level of the Alai and Chon Alai districts, monitoring-consultant will be hired to conduct monitoring of GALS trainings participants (hereinafter GALS). Task: The consultant will provide monitoring of beneficiaries’ progress from the following sectors: cattle, apiculture, handicraft and tourism. The consultant will find out the most active participants for further work on gender oriented issues at the individual, family and community levels; The consultant will track beneficiaries progress on using knowledge from theory to practice, on family level, also in community level; Finally, the consultant must provide a report in English. The report will include analysis, results, as well as specific recommendations for the promotion of GALS in BAI ALAI project. Requirements to potential supplier: Knowledge of methodologies on Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Experience of at least 3 years of development modules and implementation of GALS; Experience in working with local non-governmental organizations, international organizations (at least 3 years); Availability of a patent or certificate of registration of individual entrepreneurs, insurance policy; Diploma, certificate proving competence of the candidate; High level of knowledge of approaches in conducting trainings on gender issues; Readiness to field work: Osh, Alai and Chon Alai regions; Knowledge written and spoken Kyrgyz and English languages. List of necessary documents for submission: CV with experience in implementing of GALS training; A letter of interest describing experience of similar tasks implementation; Commercial proposal with an indication of the cost of work (budget) including all costs associated with this task and work plan (fees, logistics, necessary materials, etc.) Application procedure: Interested parties are to send above stated documents to the following address no later than 15.00 February 04, 2022: Bermet.Rayimbekova@helvetas.org
Helvetas Kyrgyzstan, in consortium with Development Policy Institute, is implementing Public Service Improvement project funded by the Swiss Government. The Public Service Improvement project works on introduction of sustainable, effective, efficient, accountable and responsive management solutions in targeted municipalities that address real needs and demands of citizens and that deliver tangible service improvements. We are currently looking for an experienced consultant on Introduction of inclusive growth methods in planning and management of public services at the local level in the Kyrgyz Republic. The objective of the consultancy is to provide local state administrations and local self-governments of the Kyrgyz Republic with a broader understanding of their potential in creating conditions for inclusive growth, overcoming all forms of exclusion and poverty by developing a detailed framework of actions for local authorities. The consultancy (international consultant) is to be provided in the period between August and December 2022 and in the overall duration of not more than 23 working days. MAIN TASKS Remotely · Within the preparation phase and in consultation with the project prepare a short overview of the Working Plan and a Project Outline (for the In-country mission) with a short description of processes, purpose/objectives. · Desk review of the competencies, capacities and resources of local state administrations and LSG bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic in the appendix to the Inclusive Growth Framework (IGF) for authorities, taking into account the concept of LNOB (Leave No One Behind); · Reporting, finalization of deliverables In country mission · Prepare draft methodology for the local development planning (local state administrations and LSG bodies) in accordance with IGF and LNOB · Prepare a training module for the employees of local state administrations, LSG bodies and other development actors (NGOs, businesses, citizens) on the Inclusive growth framework actions in the context of the Kyrgyz Republic. · Conduct one in-country mission (including presentation of the training module) · Report on the capacities and resources of local state administrations and LSG bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic to work on each of the 7 components of the IGF. · Conduct consultations (in cooperation with local experts) and interpret the functionality and resources of local state administrations and LSG bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic on each of the components of the Framework for governments for inclusive growth, taking into account the concept of LNOB; · Develop a set of practical recommendations for the elaboration of the Plan of Activities in accordance with each of the 7 components of the Framework and taking into account the concept of LNOB; · Draft a methodology for development planning at the level of local state administrations and LSG bodies, taking into account the IGF and the concept of LNOB; · Conduct validation workshops with stakeholders of local development at three levels: national, district and local government and local community; · Hold a presentation of the draft methodology and a set of practical recommendations (including monitoring IGF application. LNOB Vision and the Inclusive Development Index can be used as a basis for monitoring if applicable) for interested government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Agency for Civil Service and Local Self-Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, etc.; · Develop a training module to train the employees of local state administrations, LSG bodies and other development actors (NGOs, businesses, citizens) on the framework of actions for inclusive growth in the context of the Kyrgyz Republic; · Conduct ToTs and handover the training module to the Local Governance Academy of Central Asia for further use. YOUR QUALIFICATIONS · Profound knowledge on the issues of inclusive growth and development, interpretation of the concept of inclusive growth and development in various international institutions and management systems of individual countries. · Proven experience (at least 5 years) in consulting work on the practical implementation of inclusive management approaches in the practice of governments in various countries. · Proficiency in preparing analytical reports, conducting public presentations and developing training materials. · Fluency in spoken and written English, knowledge of Russian language is an additional significant asset YOUR OFFER Please send your request for detailed Terms of References (ToR) and questions (if any) to amambetova@dpi.kg Please submit your CV (highlighting the relevant experience) to kyrgyzstan@helvetas.org by September 15th, 2022. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further negotiations.
The Swiss Sustainable Winter Tourism Development Project implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, announces a tender for the purchase of winter equipment to improve the quality of services in the target destination Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. Lot 1: Cross-country skiing track grooming machine Lot 2: Ice Skating Rink Resurfacer Lot 3: Ice Skate Sharpener Download the Terms of Reference Interested parties must submit a tender proposal by e-mail to: wintertourismkg@gmail.com, with cс to Meerim.Zamirbekova@helvetas.org no later than 5 pm (GMT+6), July 18, 2022.
Representative Office of HELVETAS Intercooperation GmbH in the Kyrgyz Republic is seeking a short-term national expert for outlining laws regulating operations of sustainable tourism and hospitality businesses in Kyrgyzstan. The specific areas of focus shall be: (1) identification of laws; and (2) guidance on implementing them. Period of Performance The Consultant is expected to work during the period June 15, 2022 – July 20, 2022 with the maximum 25 working days. The exact period(s) of performance under the contract will be agreed with selected candidate. Qualification Requirements - Background in Law, Legal Compliance and/or relevant fields; - Min. 4 years of professional experience in legal compliance; - Experience in working with tourism public and private sector; - Ability to write and successfully communicate in Kyrgyz and Russian. How to apply Interested candidates should send their technical and financial proposals to kyrgyzstan@helvetas.org with a copy to Nargiza.kudaiberdieva@helvetas.org by June 3, 2022. The email subject should say: Policy Expert_GreenTour Project Only the shortlisted candidates will be notified by the project. Download ToR
The German brand Folk Days & Wildling Shoes presented a new summer collection made from taar fabric brought to Germany from Kyrgyzstan. The fabric was made on special order by artisans from Chon-Alai and Batken region. The order for the supply of organic cotton material was received back in 2021 by the local souvenir shop Nomad Store. To fulfill the order, BioFarmer company from the Jalal-Abad region and artisans of the Business Women of Alay PU from Chon-Alay were involved. In addition, in order to purchase the most suitable equipment, a trip was organized to Margilan, Uzbekistan, and a number of negotiations and consultations were held with specialists and entrepreneurs from Portugal and Germany. “Our task was to prepare the fabric. We sent test fabrics several times with different natural colors. As a result, the customer settled on the color "Turmeric" (yellow). Artisans from Chon-Alai began to weave dyed yarn, and due to the large volume of the order, we also involved artisans from Batken region. Significant support in the implementation of the task was provided by the Swiss Bai Alai programme implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan,” said Nasyikat Ismailova, Representative of Nomad Store. You can get acquainted with the summer collection of Folk Days & Wildling Shoes, as well as purchase accessories and shoes from natural products made in Kyrgyzstan, on the website https://folkdays.com.
