University of Central Asia Presents the GEF Small Grants Programme Country Strategy
The University of Central Asia (UCA) hosted the final presentation and validation meeting of the Country Strategy for the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) under Operational Phase 8 (OP8).
The purpose of the meeting was to present the key provisions of the GEF SGP OP8 Country Strategy, including the strategic context, priority ecosystems and landscapes, types of projects to be supported, and principles of social inclusion. Participants discussed the document and provided final comments and recommendations from stakeholders prior to its completion and official approval.
The programme also featured thematic scientific presentations on climatic, hydrological, and socio-ecological processes in the Inner Tien Shan. These studies provide the scientific basis for the Strategy’s priority areas and highlight the importance of integrating academic knowledge into the practice of sustainable natural resource management.
The meeting brought together representatives of government agencies, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the academic community, international and national organisations, as well as partners working in the fields of biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource use.
Irina Talkambaeva from the GEF Small Grants Programme highlighted the importance of cooperation with the University of Central Asia:
“This is not our first time working with the University of Central Asia and Maksim Kulikov’s team—this is already our second partnership. In 2020–2021, UCA developed the Country Strategy for the Small Grants Programme for Operational Phase 7, and today the University is supporting the preparation of the strategy for Operational Phase 8. This phase covers the period from 2024 to 2028, and it is on the basis of the strategy developed by UCA that the Small Grants Programme will be implemented in Kyrgyzstan.”
According to her, the OP8 Strategy defines the key directions and types of initiatives that can be supported under the Small Grants Programme, including the establishment of micro-reserves, conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, urban solutions and greening, combating climate change and pasture degradation, as well as sustainable management of forests, water resources, and waste.
The development of the GEF SGP OP8 Country Strategy with the involvement of the University of Central Asia underscores the role of academic institutions in shaping scientifically grounded and inclusive approaches to sustainable development and environmental protection in Kyrgyzstan.
Project Manager for the development of the GEF SGP OP8 Country Strategy, Maksim Kulikov, emphasised that the Strategy was designed as a coherent and scientifically grounded document reflecting Kyrgyzstan’s priorities for the new programme period:
“As part of the project, consultations were held with key stakeholders, expert and coordination meetings were organised, field visits were conducted to priority landscapes and protected areas, and national strategies as well as scientific and climate data were analysed. The final Strategy reflects agreed priorities, project types, and partnerships, and ensures alignment with national and global frameworks.”
Operational Phase 8 (OP8) of the GEF Small Grants Programme covers the period 2024–2028 and aims to strengthen the role of local communities and civil society organisations in ecosystem conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity, climate adaptation, and social inclusion. OP8 supports the implementation of global and national environmental priorities.
