KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography

– national programs and projects;
– regional studies;
– sectoral (industrial) programs and projects.
5. A wide range of constituents:
– governmental organizations;
– private entities;
– non-governmental organizations;
– international organizations.
Negative Aspects:
1. The “closed character” of independent studies, i.e. conducted for a specific
client.
2. Limited access for the parties concerned to the results of such studies.
3. Fragmentary knowledge of monitoring issues by NGO experts.
This analysis revealed a real need for NGOs to participate in an independent
(alternative) assessment of CDS implementation, in such areas as:
– the quality of governance and fighting corruption;
– social priorities;
– environmental security;
– deregulation of economy.
Importance of the Problem
This article offers an overview of the existing problem of enhancing NGO activities
to participate effectively in the monitoring and evaluation of the CDS. What do we
expect as solutions to this problem?
First, NGO participation in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the
CDS and its regional programs would ensure their transparency.
Second, the participation of NGOs in this process would help work out a mechanism
for joint work with governmental authorities.
Third, the participation of civil society in monitoring and evaluating the CDS would
provide full and unbiased information on the progress of its implementation.
Fourth, on the basis of alternative (independent) estimates by NGOs, the government
and local administrations would be able to make timely adjustments to these programs
and make the right decisions.
A Brief Overview of the CDS
What is the CDS, and how does it differ from previous socio-economic development
programs? Will NGOs be able to participate in the monitoring and evaluation of the
strategy?
At the moment, opinions on the CDS are mixed. Some believe that the program
does not receive adequate resources for individual events and areas, which leads to
failure. Others believe that the CDS has a more solid financial basis than all previous
programs. What does the nation’s official leadership say on this issue? In August 2007, a
meeting between the President of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Bakiyev and the participants
of the National NGO Forum-2007, emphasized the need to engage NGOs in the process
of monitoring and evaluation of the Country’s Development Strategy. While welcoming
the willingness by NGOs to participate in monitoring the implementation of the Strategy
for 2008-2010, the Head of State stressed that the Strategy was very promising. As the
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