OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2011. The round table was conducted within the frame of UNDP component “Capacity-building of population in increasing their wellbeing and developing local government”. The component purpose is to initiate the participation of non- governmental actors in the local development, discussion and elaboration of reformatory initiatives to improve the system of regional financing, and relations between the region and the district.

The Deputy of the District Maslikhat of the Beskaragay region Sultanov Talgat notes that, “The project feature is that the initiative was transferred to rural community. They themselves bring forth the problems they face and define priorities at the general meeting. This is the starting point for further project work. Such approach is vital as it stimulates constructive participation of citizens in the local development”.

One of the main problems of the Koyanbai village was the non-operating well and therefore the majority of rangelands were cut off water. According to the UNDP component the funds were allocated and the specialized equipment “Samosval GAZ –SAZ 33071” was purchased.  Due to the new equipment it is possible to solve such problems as construction and repair of the water supply systems, cleaning of the area in winter and summer period, meltwater pumping during the emergencies in Beskaragay region.

The rangelands are located in 20 km. from the Koyanbai village. The reconstruction of the well by clarifying and fixing the equipment for irrigation will ease the watering of the livestock in summer.

At the ceremony of the equipment awarding, Yekaterina Paniklova, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Kazakhstan has noted the new level of cooperation in development with the partners based on the strategic partnership and equal participation. “We intend to work in the same direction, for the benefit of the local rural population from the project implementation”.

The United Nations Development Programme has allocated 12 497 400 KZT for projects implementation. The local co-financing amounted to 3 585 000 KZT according to the conditions of the grant assistance.  The administration and coordination of the projects is held by the PF “Association for the Local Development of Beskaragay”.

Within the frame of Memorandums of Cooperation among UNDP, Akimats and Maslikhats in Semey and Borodulikha regions assistance in the development of the Semipalatinsk region is envisaged on the effectiveness of local planning, development of local government, and access of the vulnerable groups to qualitative social and economic services.

Signing of Memorandums is a step in the joint Programme on "Enhancing the competitiveness of the region through the introduction of innovative approaches to regional planning and provision of social services (on the example of the Semipalatinsk region)” of UNDP, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Akimats of the East Kazakhstan oblast. This is a  joint programme  of UNDP, UNICEF, UNV and UNFPA that aims to improve the quality of life and strengthening the capacity of the population, as well as better protection of the rights and interests of vulnerable groups in the East Kazakhstan region, particularly in areas severely affected by nuclear tests at the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.