Гранты для развития горных сообществ: объявлены итоги программы

Grants for Mountain Communities Development: Program Results Announced

From mid-January to early February 2026, the CAMP Alatoo PF accepted applications under the small grants program launched within the GEF-UNDP project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits”, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP.

The program aims to support initiatives from local communities in pilot areas of Naryn, Osh, and Batken regions. It provides funding for projects in ecotourism development, alternative livelihoods, agricultural processing, and traditional crafts.

A total of 42 applications were submitted by cooperatives, entrepreneurs, and initiative groups. Following a preliminary technical screening conducted by CAMP Alatoo PF specialists, 38 applications were submitted to the grant evaluation committee.

The committee included representatives of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNDP project representatives, and district state administrations of pilot areas.

Applications were evaluated based on relevance, alignment with program objectives, environmental and economic sustainability, budget feasibility (including a required 20% co-financing contribution), and the number of beneficiaries. The evaluation was conducted using a scoring system.

Three committee meetings were held in early March to review applications and select winners. Representatives of district administrations joined the meetings online. CAMP Alatoo PF specialists served as the Secretariat of the evaluation committee.

The review process showed strong interest from local communities in developing ecotourism, environmentally sustainable businesses, and new income-generating opportunities.

As a result, 12 applications were approved from Chong-Alay district (Osh region), Leilek district (Batken region), and Naryn, At-Bashy, and Ak-Talaa districts (Naryn region).

According to the program rules, the maximum grant amount per project is up to USD 10,000. Supported initiatives focus on ecotourism, dairy processing, and beekeeping. Planned investments include yurts for tourists, furniture, solar panels, and equipment for milk processing and honey production.

To ensure transparency in the implementation of the small grants program, a grievance and feedback mechanism has been established for all participants and stakeholders. Complaints and suggestions can be submitted during the project implementation period as well as within one year after its completion.

The grievance and feedback mechanism can be accessed via:

• link in Kyrgyz

• link in Russian

The project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits” covers the Pamir-Alai landscape with a total area of 3.8 million hectares. It aims to promote integrated biodiversity and ecosystem management, restore degraded lands, and enhance the resilience of natural resources and local livelihoods to climate change. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNDP, CAMP Alatoo Public Foundation, and the Snow Leopard Trust.