Citizens of towns and villages throughout the Mangystau Province can use the assistance of experts on environmental protection and public participation in decision-making (1). This week, representatives of Eco Mangystau, EcoMuseum and CINEST from Karaganda, and Arnika from The Czech Republic visit local communities and consult with them on possible ways to solve environmental problems. Groups of active citizens can submit their projects to the Small Grants Programme and apply for financing of their campaigns in the amount of EUR 1,500 to 3,000 (2).
Citizens of towns and villages throughout the Mangystau Province can use the assistance of experts on environmental protection and public participation in decision-making (1). This week, representatives of Eco Mangystau, EcoMuseum and CINEST from Karaganda, and Arnika from The Czech Republic visit local communities and consult with them on possible ways to solve environmental problems. Groups of active citizens can submit their projects to the Small Grants Programme and apply for financing of their campaigns in the amount of EUR 1,500 to 3,000 (2).
All information on Small Grants Programme (Russian only).
“We are pleasantly surprised by the effort of civic initiatives that received small grants in the previous selection round. We would like to help them now to strengthen their campaigns and encourage other groups to start working on projects that will gradually bring improvements to local environmental issues,” says Martin Skalsky, expert on public participation of Arnika from the Czech Republic.
The four local groups supported within the first round are now running their campaigns. The Baisheshek NGO focused on protection of citizens from environmental impacts from the City of Aktau's municipal waste landfill. The Zhas-Dauren NGO wants to make Baskuduk greener and teach the neighbours make their own compost. The Azhar-ai movement is seeking to improve the broken sewage system and waste management in Kuryk. The Koldau Kazakhstan initiative has started an information campaign to stop illegal trade with the dying out saiga antelope’s horns.
“This week, our experts in partnership with colleagues from Karaganda and The Czech Republic are visiting Aktau, Shetpe, Baskuduk, Akhshukur, and Kuryk. We invite local people to share their concerns of environmental issues with us and participate in planning steps to improve the situation,” says Kirill Osin, Director of Eco Mangystau. Experts will use their opportunity to discuss local issues with the state authorities and municipalities. People can now also submit their ideas for the second round of the Small Grants Programme that was successfully launched last year.
The Small Grants Programme is implemented within the project “Enforcing citizens’ rights and public participation in decision making on environmental issues – practical implementation of Aarhus Convention in Mangystau,” aimed at strengthening civil society by improving the living conditions of residents in Mangystau region of Kazakhstan. Funding for project was provided by the European Union in the amount of EUR 336,120.
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(2) All information on Small Grants Programme (Russian only).
