Information resource on donors activities
in the Kyrgyz Republic

Agencies

Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) Kyrgyz Republic Office

Brief information about KOICA
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) was established in 1991 to deliver the task of implementing Korea’s grant aid programs and promoting international cooperation. Its mission is to address global development issues by pursuing global harmony and facilitating the sustainable socio-economic development of our partner countries, aiming to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in developing countries.
KOICA operates regional departments and socio-economic department dedicated to executing development projects and development policy respectively. In addition, KOICA has World Friends Koreas Headquarters responsible for the integrated overseas volunteer programs, Civil Society Cooperation Office devoted to strengthening partnerships with businesses and NGOs and Multilateral Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance Office.
As of 2016, KOICA has a total of 47 representative offices which play a critical role in implementing KOICA’s aid programs at the field level. To maximize the effectiveness of our development cooperation, KOICA continuously collects and updates information on the needs and demands of partner countries through policy dialogues with various stakeholders and/or demand surveys conducted through Korean embassies and overseas offices.

WHAT WE DO IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Since the initial assistance in 1991, the total volume of KOICA’s grant aid to the Kyrgyz Republic reached 15.53 million US dollars (as of 2015).The total aid disbursement has rapidly increased in 2015 which is the year when KOICA Kyrgyz Office began its operation. KOICA’s assistance in the Kyrgyz Republic cover fields such as governance, public administration, agriculture and rural development, health and education.

1. BILATERAL PROJECTS

Governance/Public Administration
The issue of governance is one of KOICA’s five priority sectors for development support. In accordance with its strategic direction for Governance, KOICA is conducting assistance programs designed to support partner countries to strengthen their economic development strategy, establish e-government system, build capacity for efficient and transparent administration, strengthen legal systems and promote social stability.

  • The Election Management Capacity Building of the Kyrgyz Republic (2014-2016)

This project began in 2014 to strengthen the core governance framework of the country by ensuring fair and democratic electoral process in the Kyrgyz Republic. This was assisted by providing technical assistance for automation of the voting system in Bishkek, Osh and 5 other cities. The local project partner was the Central Election Commission (CEC).

  • Establishment of Land Information System (LIS) in the Kyrgyz Republic (2015-2017)

The establishment of the land information system began in 2015. The main objective of the project is to provide sustainable management of state land and contribute to economic development through creation of the unified land management information system of Kyrgyzstan. In partnership with the State Registration Service (SRS) of the Kyrgyz Republic, this project is expected to plan and construct integrated LIS and strengthen the capacity of HRD in land information management sector through expert consulting and trainings.

  • Establishing an e-NID System in the Kyrgyz Republic (2016-2017)

The project's main target is to provide electronic ID cards for the three million Kyrgyz voters in the upcoming presidential election in 2017. In partnership with the State Registration Service (SRS) of the Kyrgyz Republic, this project is expected to maximize transparency and increase the quality of e-government administration as well as improve the efficiency of the national ID system.

Agriculture/Rural Development
The issue In rural agricultural development sector, KOICA promotes comprehensive development in rural areas to reduce poverty and increase income of rural communities by building basic infrastructure, supporting agriculture skills development, developing human resources and etc. In particular, KOICA is focusing on participatory community development through Saemaul Undong projects to increase people's well-being and eradicate poverty in rural regions which tend to fall under the category of extreme poverty.

  • Strengthening the Capacity of Forest Conservation of the Kyrgyz Republic (2012-2015)

In partnership with the State Agency for Environmental Protection, the main goal was to improve the livelihood of the community and preservation of the forests through strengthening the capacity of sapling cultivation and pest control management in Bishkek and Jalal-abad areas.

  • My Village Project in the Kyrgyz Republic (Planning Stage)

In partnership with the Ministry of Economy and GAMSUMO (State Agency for Local Self-Governance and Interethnic Relations), this project aims to improve the living conditions and social environment of the rural community in Kyrgyzstan through a community driven development based on Korean Rural Development Model, SMU (Saemaul Undong) and Kyrgyz traditions of “Ashar” mechanism.

2. MULTI-BILATERAL PROJECTS

KOICA is working to strengthen partnerships with international organizations such as UNDP, OECD, WB and WFP and establish mid-to-long term ties with these international institutions. 
In the Kyrgyz Republic, KOICA has established a framework of cooperation with World Food Programme(WFP) to implement the “Food Security Program (2016-2018)” for vulnerable communities and households in Osh, Jalalabad, Batken, Talas and Naryn provinces.

3. WORLD FRIENDS KOREA (WFK, Volunteer Program)

KOICA operates a two-year overseas volunteer program which dispatches volunteers to over 50 fields, including education, healthcare, ICT, administration policies, development of farming and fishing villages, and etc. On average, 1,600 volunteers per year serve across the world. As part of the World Friends Program, KOICA also dispatches experts and advisors to partner countries to provide policy advice and share knowledge in administration, education, healthcare, agriculture and other fields.
An average of 20 Korean volunteers and advisors are dispatched yearly across Kyrgyzstan to contribute in the fields of education, public administration, agriculture, engineering, economy and media.

4. KOICA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (Training Program)

The Fellowship Program is one of KOICA’s main projects to support partner countries secure human resources for their development. The primary objective is to share important technical skills and knowledge as well as to build capacities for sustainable socio-economic development. The trainings are classified from country-specific, regional, and global and the period ranges from short to long term including Master Degree Scholarship Program.
Since 1993, total 293 persons in Kyrgyzstan participated in the Fellowship Program in sectors such as public administration, environment, industry & energy, agricultural development and others.

  • Civil Society Cooperation Project

Civil Society Cooperation Project is the participatory development project that engages with private sector partners such as civil society organizations, businesses and universities. By harnessing expertise and financing capacity of the private sector through this partnership, KOICA contributes to enhancing the effectiveness of its development programs.
KOICA office in Kyrgyzstan has established partnerships with NGOs to promote projects in the field of agriculture and rural development, education and health.

Contact Information: 

Tel.: (+996-312) 979 401/402
E-mail: kyrgyzstan@koica.go.kr  
www.facebook.com/koicakyrgyzstan
Business hours: 9.00 - 6.00 Mon-Fri

For further information:
http://www.koica.go.kr/english/main.html
training.koica.go.kr
http://www.worldfriendskorea.or.kr/eng/
http://www.odakorea.go.kr/eng