KYRGYZSTAN TODAY Policy briefs on - Department of Geography

development in both urban and rural areas. Yet, a number of factors hinder progress in
this area.
International experience shows that the emergence of a social partnership system
is a lengthy process. It requires a clear legal definition of stakeholders’ responsibilities,
and an accurate identification of the range of issues to be addressed at each stage of the
social partners’ relationship.
Usually, each sector has different ideas about its own responsibilities, opportunities
and resources and, finally, diverse ideas about the nature of social issues. Despite all of
these differences and contradictions, cooperation is essential: single-handedly, neither
the government, businesses, or the public can overcome social injustice, resolve conflicts,
or ensure equal opportunities for the pursuit of a dignified life.
It is clear that, at this point, Kyrgyzstan’s non-governmental organizations have
an enormous capacity for producing breakthrough ideas and are capable of extending
invaluable assistance to the government in addressing a range of social issues.
Cooperation between non-governmental organizations and the government in finding
acceptable solutions for specific social challenges has recently been reaffirmed through
legislation. The core document in the field of social partnership is the Cooperation
Framework for NGOs and Government Bodies (approved on 25 March 2004 by Decision
No. 200 of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic [4]). This framework regulates
the relationship between governmental and non-governmental bodies and identifies
methods of streamlining joint efforts to address social issues. Specifically, its objectives
can be described as:
• improved cooperation with NGOs;
• NGO involvement in addressing social issues;
• establishing advisory boards for interactive collaboration between the government
and NGOs;
• seeking information, advice, methodological, organizational, and technical
assistance from NGOs;
• enlisting the help of NGOs through the commissioning of social services by the
state.
The basic principles and forms of assistance rendered to the state by NGOs, as outlined
in the framework, include the rule of law, partnership, transparency, consistency, and
accountability.
Through the lens of these principles, this article examines the best practices and
achievements related to cooperation between NGOs and government bodies, on both
the national and regional levels. It also identifies structural obstacles and reasons for
limited partnership, which need to be addressed. 2
Analysis of Current Policies
Current areas of NGO action include efforts to improve national laws and regulations
for efficient cross-sectoral cooperation. One priority is to produce a program to implement
the Cooperation Framework for NGOs and Government Bodies and enforce by-laws that
pertain to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Commissioning of Social Services.
2
This article draws on research conducted under the project entitled “Strengthening Sustainable
and Effective Cooperation between Government Bodies and Civil Society Organizations in the Kyrgyz
Republic”, which was carried out by Counterpart-Sheriktesh within the framework of the Civil Society
Program of the Aga Khan Foundation.
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