In today's world, the strengthening peace and social cohesion is becoming increasingly relevant and an integral part of sustainable development of society. In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic has launched the project "Strengthening dialogue and interaction between local authorities, NGOs and communities on social cohesion". 

The main objective of the project is to improve knowledge, skills and capacities for interaction and cooperation of civil society, local authorities, and local communities in selected border areas, as well as to create positive dialogue within and beyond communities.

In this regard, the project will help to develop and implement joint action plans on social cohesion issues, including the adaptation of the action plan of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security at the local level.

To this end, UNDP, will conduct a mapping of existing civil society, women, and youth organisations in selected pilot locations to develop a common understanding of existing capacity at the local level. The mapping will explore the needs and opportunities for localisation of UNSCR 1325, involvement of various stakeholders in peace infrastructures at the local level. Community institutions and structures such as CPNS, CPCs, women, and youth centres, aksakal courts and other actors are now being actively developed in the regions to enable non-violent resolution of disputes and potential conflicts.

Stakeholder mapping and detailed capacity assessment to identify key community organisations and/or active citizens in the selected target locations in the following areas:

• working to support peace and security, social cohesion and architecture for peace at the local level, anticipation and prevention measures.
• co-operation and confidence building at the municipality and district level (accessibility and security of border areas and border crossing points (BCPs) for the population, economic co-operation);
• participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes, in the planning of social and economic development plans and their implementation.
• prevention of gender-based violence at the local level.
• implementation of State policy: the Kyrgyz Zharany civil identity development concept, the concept in the religious sphere, the concept of youth policy, and Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security.

As a result of the activities, it is expected to create three initiative groups that will work on discussing and solving local problems. As a result of the trainings, the 60 participants will be able to communicate effectively with each other, recognise conflicts, prevent, and resolve them peacefully, understand and respect cultural differences, organise and conduct meetings and discussions at the local level for unity and joint problem solving.

The project will organise interactive workshops using conflict early warning methods and effective learning tools. As a result of which plans will be developed for local governments to anticipate and prevent conflicts in the respective territory.

Dialogue and resource centres will be established that build trust and cooperation between CSOs and local authorities, including women representatives. The dialogue platforms will also identify key challenges facing society in the area of peacebuilding and social cohesion. This will facilitate the development of effective measures to address these challenges.

It is planned to develop three action plans, adapted to the local context, which will contribute to:

• Anticipating and preventing possible risk. .
• Strengthening dialogue and trust between local authorities, NGOs, and communities.
• Sustainable peaceful development.

After a three-day training on the basics of developing and implementing social initiatives, participants will be able to learn how to write social and business projects and receive small grants for their implementation.

 Pilot locations:

• Akturpak, AA Kadamjai district
• Kyshtut, AA of Batken district, Batken oblast
• Kerben, Aksy district, Jalal-Abad oblast.

This project will not just be a step towards peace and social cohesion in Kyrgyzstan, but also an example of effective interaction between different players at the local level. It opens the way for future initiatives aimed at creating a stable society based on dialogue, trust, and mutual understanding.