AKIPRESS.COM - More than 300,000 people are expected to benefit from improved services and facilities in their villages thanks to US$ 10 million in financing in the Community Support Project associated with the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000).

The Kyrgyz CASA-1000 Community Support Project was approved April 10 by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, including US$ 5 million a concessional credit and US$ 5 million as a grant. An additional grant of US$ 2 million is being provided from the CASA-1000 Multi-Donor Trust Fund supported by the UK Department for International Development and the US Government.

The Community Support Project approved today will benefit communities living in 22 Aiyl Aimaks (sub-districts) located along the 450km stretch of the transmission line in the Kyrgyz Republic, extending from the Datka substation (Jalal-Abad Oblast) to the border with Tajikistan. The line transmits excess hydropower energy in the summer from Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Community Support Project ensures that communities near the transmission line benefit from the project in a direct and tangible way.

The new Community Support Project will improve the social and economic infrastructure and livelihoods of participating communities and surrounding administrative areas. The project will rely on a community-driven approach to ensure local investments are tailored to community needs. “Communities are very knowledgeable about local problems and how they can be solved. They will be empowered and supported to plan, implement and monitor the local investments,” says Janelle Plummer, World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist, and Task Team Leader for the project.

Communities in a 3km-wide “corridor” surrounding the transmission line will receive support to improve village electricity. Also, depending on their needs, communities can choose to invest in other socio-economic infrastructure such as first aid points, rehabilitation of roads, school hygiene and sanitation, kindergartens, street lighting or other options that help to reduce poverty and improve living standards. Residents of targeted Aiyl Aimaks will also receive support for livelihoods development. The project will be implemented from 2019 to 2023 by the Community Development and Investment Agency.