| Grant Profile: |
| Project Title: |
Women's Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development Phase 2 |
| PCF/LICUS/SPF: |
PCF |
Status: |
Open |
| File Number: |
213-B
| Region: |
ECA |
| Sector: |
Health and other social services |
Country: |
Tajikistan |
| FY approved: |
2005 |
Grant Theme : |
Financial and private sector development |
| Keyword(s): |
Civil society / NGOs;Community-driven development;Conflict prevention;Gender |
Approved Amount: |
$250,000.00 |
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Grant Recipient:
Counterpart International |
Grant Purpose:
The grant builds on the results of a preceding Women's Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development project, with the objective of testing a model for reducing conflict risks and ameliorating poverty in the Buston (Karateginskaya) community in Tajikistan.
The project will build on the achievements of the previous project, namely the:
(a) mobilization of significant human and financial resources in the local and international community that doubled the value of the project (in the form of water system and school rehabilitation, clinic construction and women’s center rehabilitation);
(b) formation of the community-based, women’s membership organization Bonuvoni Navovar “Women Innovators”;
(c) increased employability and income generation for twice the intended women beneficiaries;
(d) establishment of a social enterprise bakery to support the women’s organization;
(e) creation of a water users association.
The current project will ensure that Bonuvoni Navovar (a community-based women's memebership organization - "Women Innovators") will be able to carry on the job-skills training, community mobilization and social enterprise activities independently, and continue engaging and accessing outside resources. Completion of this will finalize the demonstration model planned for replication.
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Grant Activities:
The following is a description of project components that will be carried out through the extension period.
1. Community Mobilization
In the extension, Counterpart will support the further development of the mother and child health activities, the Water Users Association as well as on-going community training, seminars and new micro-projects.
Mother and Child Health
In the extension period already established, mother and child health committees in two of the four streets of Buston will work with Bonuvoni Navovar to identify committee heads in the remaining streets. Bonuvoni Navovar will provide health and awareness training for men in mosques and for women on child survival issues on all four streets – conducting the existing training modules on the new streets and developing new modules for streets already engaged during the pilot project.
Water Users Association
Bonuvoni Navovar will continue work in close collaboration with Counterpart, the newly appointed Water Users Association (WUA) director, and local Khukumat and Mahalla leaders. Bonuvoni Navovar will facilitate community meetings to explain the water situation, opportunities, and roles and responsibilities. In collaboration with the WUA director they will identify a Deputy Head, treasurer and secretary. Training will be provided to the new WUA staff using the pilot project’s newly developed WUA model for potable water. During the extension Bonuvoni Navovar and Counterpart will also support registration of the WUA with the Ministry of Justice. The WUA will establish a pricing structure to cover the cost of water, maintenance provided by the WUA and the salaries of the WUA employees.
Community Training, Seminars and Micro-Projects
Counterpart will provide funds and technical assistance for the continuation of the community training, seminars and micro-projects. Bonuvoni Navovar will also introduce activities to further engage youth during the extension, to meet an expressed community need.
Component 2: Women's Membership Organization and Women's Center Sustainability
Counterpart will employ a Sustainability Advisor to provide regular guidance on all sustainability activities, such as organizational development, governance, membership (training and technical assistance in developing membership goals and strategies as well as plans for generating income from membership dues; establishing a systematic structure for payment of membership dues; and recruiting new members), financial sustainability, physical works and improvements. The ultimate goal is to assist Bonuvoni Navovar in becoming organizationally and financially sustainable and therefore viable for the long-term.
Component 3: Income Generation Credit Program
The credit program began in September of 2003 of the first Women's Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development pilot project and consisted of three cycles of three months each. In the extension period, Counterpart, with Bonuvoni Navovar, will continue to operate the loan fund. By the end of the extension, Bonuvoni Navovar will be able to independently manage the loan fund in anticipation of an enabling legislative framework.
Job Skills Resource and Training Department
Based on recent research conducted in the community to determine the demand for classes during the extension, the training roster will include: training on project design, basic computer classes, basic internet class, English language classes, basic accountant training, and a range of civil society themed training.
Social Enterprise
Counterpart's social enterprise development officer will continue to work with Bonuvoni Navovar's social enterprise bakery on a day-to-day basis to ensure its success and to help it reach the breakeven point before the end of the extension
Component 4: Women's Empowerment Model
Counterpart will ensure that the "lessons learned" and best practices from the pilot and the extension remain available to Tajik organizations by assembling several "how-to" manuals including: the process of forming a women's empowerment project with community driven development methodologies; the process of forming a residential water users association; organizing social enterprise activities in Tajikistan; and conducting market research for businesses.
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