Cooperative Agreements Using
Coordinated NGO Efforts

Central Asia: Community Action Investment Project (2002-2005)

The three-year, $25 million Community Action Investment Project, or CAIP, encourages cooperation on development projects as a way to knit together the rich tapestry of ethnic groups in Central Asia and reduce tensions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It works with implementing partners to provide communities and groups with the skills necessary to improve public dialogue and communication. Bringing together representatives from across the social spectrum of a community, including local government representatives, this program helps give citizens a stake in the future of their societies.

ACDI/VOCA, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Cooperative Housing Foundation, and Mercy Corps are effectively supporting local nongovernmental groups in launching innovative activities that help mitigate conflict. Work at the community level is focused on bringing groups together to address common concerns; providing technical assistance to strengthen democratic processes; creating new employment opportunities; improving social services; and funding small-scale, labor intensive, community infrastructure projects.

Community Action Groups mobilize their communities to participate in all aspects of the program - from decision-making and selection of priorities to implementing and monitoring the projects. CAIP activities have already reached over 260,000 people in 163 communities. As of early 2003, 243 small infrastructure projects have been launched or completed, providing crucial social services through new medical clinics, schools and community centers; and ensuring the delivery of utilities.

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