Leave No One Behind
Representatives of local governments from all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, local state administrations, international projects and development agencies, as well as experts working in the field of LSG and inclusive development discussed the topic on October 28, 2022, during a round table in Bishkek, which contributed significantly to the exchange of experience in the development and application of inclusive measures in municipalities.
What is inclusive development? What benefits can it bring to communities? What steps can be taken at the local government level to alleviate the situation of vulnerable groups in communities?
The Public Service Improvement Project, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by Helvetas and the Development Policy Institute, believes that in order to take into account the needs of all segments of the population, the active participation of citizens in the development of local programs for socioeconomic development is very important.
The clearer and louder the voices of women, youth, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, low-income citizens, the easier it is to develop a program that will reflect their interests.
As Natalie Semoroz, Head of the Swiss Embassy's Department for Public Administration and Urban Development, noted, the Leave No One Behind concept is very important for Switzerland. "Our goal is for Swiss support to benefit all groups of the population, including the most vulnerable - young people, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, low-income citizens," she stressed.
In 2022, 47 pilot municipalities located in Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul regions, were competed for the best program for the socio-economic development, reflecting the principles of social and gender sensitivity. According to the results of this competition, six winners were identified. Another six municipalities received incentive prizes.
Most of the programs submitted for the competition included measures aimed at inclusive development and support for vulnerable members of local communities. Some of these measures were included in the "Collection of Measures for Socio-Economic Development Programs for Aiyl Aimaks and Cities Moving towards Inclusive Local Development".
The collection was published with the aim of raising the awareness of LSG bodies and local communities on the issues of inclusive development, equality of rights and access to conditions for development. It includes examples of the actions of local governments of the Kyrgyz Republic aimed at creating such conditions for vulnerable groups in the community that would allow them to significantly improve their situation over time and even move out of the category of vulnerable.
