On March 19, 2021, a solemn presentation of Travelife Partner certificates to 7 Kyrgyz tour operators took place in Bishkek: · Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (КАТО) · Kyrgyz Guides · Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA) · Travel Experts · Visit Kyrgyzstan · Eco Nomad · NoviNomad The ceremony took place during the event following the results of the first year of implementation of the Greentour: Sustainable Tourism in Kyrgyzstan Project. The certificates were presented by the representative of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms Anna Soltysik-Pawlic, the Regional Director of Helvetas Central Asia, Ms Anja de Beer, and the international expert on sustainable tourism, Ms Anula Galewska. There are three stages of Travelife certification: 1) Participation in Travelife; 2) Partnership in Travelife; 3) Travelife certification. Earlier, as part of the project, a number of workshops on sustainable tourism were organized in the cities of Bishkek, Osh and Karakol, in which about 200 representatives of tour operators and accommodation facilities received institutional assistance in obtaining international Travelife certificates, as a result of which they became participants in the program. However, the above 7 tour operators did not stop there and did a great job to move to the second stage. “The Travelife Partner level is a proof of their commitment to sustainability in tourism through sustainable approaches and responsible travel. Participation in the certification program is paid, but the Greentour Project supports local tour operators and accommodation facilities not only in increasing their potential, but also in their free participation in the Travelife program. This became possible thanks to our partner in the implementation of the project - the European Center for Ecological and Agricultural tourism (ECEAT),” said Manager of the Greentour Project Nargiza Kudaiberdieva. * For reference: The Greentour project is funded by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia program and implemented by the Helvetas Intercooperation GGMBH in cooperation with the European Center for Ecological and Agricultural tourism - Stichting Netherlands (ECEAT), the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA). The Travelife Sustainability System was created in 2007. It is an initiative dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of tourism and the tourism industry. Travelife management requirements are in line with ISO 14001 and EMAS. The technical requirements include the full set of ISO 26000 and OECD corporate social responsibility principles, which include working conditions, human rights, environmental issues, biodiversity and fair business practices.
Location: Alai and Chon-Alai districts. Assignment periods: March 29 to December 10, 2021. Objects: Provision of outsourcing services for two cooperatives "Alai Too Aseli" and "Chon-Alai Baly", in order to ensure the sustainable operation of cooperatives for the production of quality honey and increase production volumes. The main result of the assignment - Cooperatives "Alai Too Aseli" and "Chon-Alai Baly" are conducting sustainable activities, effectively implemented their operational plans for 2021, increased the production of high-quality honey by 30% compared to the previous year as a result of high-quality management and marketing. General tasks Provide a detailed action plan for the provision of services, taking into account the tasks set, for discussion and approval by the project team; Provide descriptive reports: - submit the first descriptive report no later than June 15, 2021; - submit the second descriptive report no later than September 15, 2021; - submit the third final descriptive report no later than November 30, 2021. Application Procedure Candidates should send the following documents to the following e-mail: Nurgul.Tashtanova@helvetas.org, no later than March 17, 2021. List of application documents · Certificate of registration of a legal entity; · Letter of interest describing the experience of conducting similar tasks; · CVs of key performers with experience performing similar tasks; · Plan of activities, implementation schedule, a detailed budget on 2021. Basic requirements for a potential consultant or potential organization: - Knowledge of market quality requirements for honey and basic food safety requirements, including HACCP principles and technical regulations; - Knowledge and experience in accounting, taxation of cooperative activities; - Knowledge and experience of building and conducting effective marketing in the beekeeping sector; - Experience of at least 3 years in the field of beekeeping and working with beekeepers and cooperatives is an advantage; - Experience in working with local non-governmental organizations, international organizations (at least 3 years); - Registration of a legal entity (LLC or PF)
On March 2-5, 2021, a four-day workshop on sustainable tourism was held in Bishkek within the framework of the Greentour Project. The workshop program was divided into 2 parts: March 2-3 for tour operators and March 4-5 for accommodation facilities. In total, the event was attended by over 60 representatives of large and small tour operators of inbound and outbound tourism, independent guides and tour organizers, representatives of guest houses, hotels, resorts and ski resorts, as well as government bodies. During the event, participants were able to gain valuable new information on various issues, including: • Concept of sustainability in tourism. • Development of sustainable tourism products • Effective communication with clients and partners about achievements in the field of sustainable development • Working with communities; • Responsibility in dealing with tourists with special needs; • Sustainable marketing and sales • Conservation of water and energy • Waste management In addition, issues such as the responsible use of animals and birds during tours, the peculiarities of working with tourists of a special category (children, the elderly, PWDs), as well as possible ways of cooperation and the implementation of joint projects were discussed. It is worth noting that the workshop was held in an interactive format, thanks to which the participants were given the opportunity to share their experience, vision and development plans. In turn, the participants of the workshop noted the importance of such events, as well as the high professionalism of the lecturer of the workshop, Ms. Anula Galewska, who is an international consultant on sustainable tourism. “The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world, we need to adapt to new realities and, accordingly, we need to pay special attention to the development of domestic tourism. But this requires knowledge and skills, and the information that we received during the workshop - certification in hotels, work with staff, communication with guests, is of great value. I hope there will be more such events as this will help us significantly accelerate the development of the sustainable and responsible tourism sector in our country,” said one of the participants, Stella Bondareva, who has been working in the field of tourism for over 15 years. After completing the training, participants received support through the Travelife sustainable tourism platform in using and implementing the knowledge, methods and tools gained during the training. Interested companies have also received all the support they need to apply and obtain the Travelife Partner sustainability certification. “Previously, we worked without thinking about internal reports, planning, communications, thanks to the information received during the workshop, as well as Travelife, we understood how we can make our work as effective as possible, I am very glad that I was able to take a part at this workshop and I hope that in the future I will be able to participate in other similar events,” said Nargiza Askarbekova, a representative of the Son-Kol yurt camp. The Greentour Project is implemented by the representative office of Helvetas Intercooperation GmbH in the Kyrgyz Republic in partnership with KATO, KCBT and ECEAT. The project is funded by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Program.
The main goal of the training is to train women candidates in leadership skills and participation in electoral processes in two project (Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul) regions and thus contribute to increasing the participation and representation of women in local council elections. The training was attended by 29 female candidates from 11 project municipalities of the Issyk-Kul region selected on the basis of competition. During three days of the intensive training women were acquainted with the most important topics and extensive information on leadership and effective communication skills with population, as well as information about the legal framework of the Kyrgyz Republic regulating the basis and system of local self-government bodies. Having been introduced to the strategies of development and implementation of pre-election programs and following campaigning on the third day, the participants independently developed and presented their pre-election programs and plans for their implementation. The participants were also informed about the 30% quota for women in local councils and the rules of registration and campaigning in accordance with the requirements of the CEC (Central Election Commission) and the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the election of deputies of local councils”. Most participants stated that they were facing many obstacles in expressing their willingness to run the elections. Some of the participants mentioned the embedded stereotypes about “no place for women in politics”, while others mentioned the regular criticism regarding their age: young women are excluded under the pretext of the lack of experience and knowledge, whereas the elder women are asked to give way to the youth and stay home with grandchildren. In some cases, even if they are supported and asked to nominate their candidacy, they still have doubts in their abilities and knowledge. But the knowledge gained during the three-day training, as spotlighted by women, helped them to increase their confidence and determination in running campaign in the local elections. One of the participants pointed out that rural women in many cases were deprived of access to information, did not possess knowledge about local budget or financial literacy. Due to these reasons they experience the difficulty of taking part in respective processes at the local level. Another participant highlighted that it was the poor level of living conditions of the village residents that pushed her to run the elections and become a deputy. In her speech about the Leadership School she said: “I work as a professor at the К. Tynystanov University in Karakol town. Despite my work in the town, I lived all my life in a village. I decided to run the elections to the local council based on my observations on how the life of the population in the village has been deteriorating, especially for women. Because I believe that women are more responsible and always complete the initiated activities. They look at any problem as through a magnifying glass and see the finest complexities and try to solve them. Therefore, they must participate in decision-making processes at the local level" - Asanalieva Kiyal, the October AA. On the last day of the training, participants shared their feedback on the Leadership School for Local Councils’ Women Candidates and noted that the content of the School program exceeded their expectations. Among the participants there were several members of local councils who, in turn, also acknowledged that they had had a dearth of knowledge about the mentioned topics, despite their work as in the local councils. Ainura Omurkanova, a deputy in the “October” local council, expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the training and noted the following: “I am the only woman among 21 deputies in the local council of the “October” municipality. When I became a deputy first time, no one taught us, and we assumed office without any knowledge about the activities of deputies or the system of local self-government bodies. We had to learn as we work and study the laws on our own. For me, the lack of such knowledge was also a kind of barrier impeding my successful work. But today, after a three-day training, I can say with confidence that I gained knowledge about effective communications with the population, the rules for running an election campaign (without violating the Law), and the most important topics for me were the process of forming local budget, functions and duties of deputies as people`s representatives.” The project representatives and trainers believe that at the moment it is important to assist women candidates in their preparations for the elections in local councils regardless of their age. Thus, the main task of the Project is to support women throughout the entire process by providing consultations following the completion of the Leadership School. Next week, from 25 to 27 February, the Leadership School for Local Councils’ Women Candidates will be held in the project municipalities of the Jalal-Abad region. As a result of the competition, 41 women were selected for the participation in the School.
Through an integrated business-led approach, the Greentour project mobilizes and mentors Kyrgyz tour operators and their suppliers to adapt and promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices throughout their supply chains and business processes. This includes using local suppliers, purchasing environmentally friendly products, plastic reduction, conserving natural resources and applying socially responsible ways of interacting with local communities. Furthermore, the capacity of travel associations to provide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) advisory services will be improved to spread the sustainable tourism practices. Food waste is one of the sustainability issues. In line with other activities on improving waste management in the tourism and hospitality sector, Greentour will work with the HORECA segment on minimizing waste and integration of the sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices by the actors in the tourism value chain. Greentour Project requests proposals from the qualified consultants to conduct a review of the situation with food waste in the hospitality sector. The review should cover: - An overview of the existing standards related to food waste; - An overview of the food waste practices applied by the hospitality businesses of various categories (to be agreed with the project); - An overview of the recent studies and initiatives implemented in Kyrgyzstan in these area and the recommendations developed. Based on the collected data and analyzed materials, the consultant is expected to develop recommendations that businesses may gradually introduce or integrate into the existing practices to improve the food waste management at their properties. As a final deliverable, the food waste standard expert is expected to produce a report with the collected data, findings, sources/materials and a set of recommendations. Attachments shall include the transcripts of conducted interviews; links to the conducted online surveys; copies of questionnaires (if surveys will be conducted offline); photos of working group discussions. The food waste standard expert is expected to use the following tools in performing the task: - Desk review of the available resources (national and international); - Review of the relevant standards currently in force; - Visits to the selected enterprises; - Survey of the relevant stakeholders (HORECA segment businesses, tourism associations, relevant regulatory bodies and other); - Interviews with the relevant stakeholders; - Analysis of collected data; - Report preparation. DOWNLOAD TOR
Greentour Kyrgyzstan Project requests proposals for a short-term assignment of a qualified consultant on green financing. The consultant is expected to provide an overview of the current situation in the Kyrgyz Republic with access to green financing of the tourism and hospitality businesses and the resulting recommendations. The overview should cover: Available green financing products and services for tourism and hospitality businesses offered by local financial institutions (interest rates, payment terms, collateral requirements and other); Assessment of the tourism and hospitality businesses’ demand for green financing products by micro-finance institutions and the commercial banks; Data on installed green tech solutions at hospitality and tourism enterprises to be collected through a survey; Analysis of the collected data for the technical and cost efficiency of installed solutions, the satisfaction of the enterprise owners; Measure (where possible) the estimated carbon emission reduction resulting from the installation of green tech solutions; Other areas that may arise in the course of performing the task. Applicants will be evaluated based on the relevant expertise, experience, qualifications, skills and competencies. Requirement include et al: - Higher education in the field of finance, economics, business or related fields; - Experienced in conducting research (methods, surveys) and analytic work in finance area; - Experience in the tourism and hospitality sector is an asset; - Able to analyze complex data from multiple sources and discussions; - Good writing skills; - Excellent communication, time management and organizational skills; - Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines; - Excellent Russian, knowledge of Kyrgyz and English is an asset; - Flexible and result-oriented. DOWNLOAD ToR Level of Effort: This intermittent assignment will be given 25 days to complete. The expected start date is February 15, 2021. Proposal Submission Technical: Interested applicants shall submit a letter of interest, a detailed CV and a proposed work plan. The work plan should indicate the proposed activities and number of days for each activity (desk review, survey preparation, conducting interviews, report writing, addressing comments etc.) Financial: Interested applicants shall submit a financial proposal indicating the daily rate and the total budget for the assignment. All of the requested files shall be submitted in a single email message with attachments to: kyrgyzstan@helvetas.org by February 5, 2021 COB. The email subject should say: Greentour Project_Green Finance Expert.
