Organized seminars for representatives of Mahalla Initiative Groups
A summer school was organized for representatives of initiative groups from the mahallas of four regions covered by the Sustainable Rural Development Project — the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Bukhara, and Navoi regions.
An initiative group is a social group formed from active representatives of the population, chosen by the local population. Its goal is to develop a plan for the social, economic and environmental development of the mahalla. Representatives of the initiative group work on a volunteer basis and do not receive a salary.
During the 3-day sessions organized at the initiative of UNDP, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills in implementing investment projects, identify existing issues in the districts, assist the population in addressing priority tasks, conduct awareness-raising activities, and establish business connections with representatives from other regions.
The tasks of the Initiative Group include the following:
- Assisting the population in identifying and prioritizing existing problems in the mahalla;
- Participation in the study of identified problems on site;
- Suggest ways to solve problems identified in the mahalla, taking into account the proposals of the community and existing opportunities;
- Development and annually updating Community Development Plan (CDP).
- Presentation of the CDP to local authorities, community, responsible organizations and donors;
- Informing the population about the sub-projects carried out within the framework of the CDP;
- Exercising public control during the implementation of CDP projects in the mahalla;
- Identifying sources of funding to cover problems raised in the CDP and developing proposals.
Members of the Initiative Group are elected by open voting at a meeting of mahalla activists and documented in a protocol.
Members elected to the Initiative Group must meet the following criteria:
- Permanent place of residence in this mahalla;
- 18 years old and above;
- Consent to be a member of the Initiative Group;
- Be active, enthusiastic and respected in the community.
Considerations in creating an Initiative Group:
- Representative of the main settlement (village, aul or street);
- More than 30% of women participation in the Initiative Group;
- Representative of the social sector and mahalla (education, healthcare, etc.);
- Inclusion of youth representatives (18-35 years old);
- Inclusion of representatives from business sector (farmers, entrepreneurs, etc.);
- When electing the chairman and deputy of the Initiative Group, one must be a man and the other a woman.
