On 18 September 2026, a new sports and recreation area — featuring a mini-football field, a workout zone and a children’s playground — officially opened in the Adilet and Ak-Zhar settlements of Bishkek. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Bishkek City Hall, the Sverdlovsk District Administration, Municipal Territorial Administration №305, the Embassy of Switzerland, and local community leaders and residents.
Thanks to the project, about 15,000 residents of Adilet and Ak-Zhar now have a modern space for sports, recreation and community life, which has quickly become a popular gathering point for children and adults alike — fostering healthier lifestyles and strengthening neighbourhood bonds.
In addition, 22 households on 1st Street in Adilet are now connected to the drinking water supply. According to local residents, they had lived without access to water for 17 years — a long-awaited solution to one of the community’s most pressing challenges.
The total cost of the two projects amounted to 9.06 million soms, of which 6.06 million soms was contributed by Switzerland and 3.0 million soms by the Bishkek City Hall.
The improvements were carried out under the Araket project’s small grants program, implemented by the Public Association “Resource Center for the Elderly.” The program supports local development through the joint efforts of residents and local self-governance bodies.
On opening day, sports and cultural activities organized by partner organization Public Association Arysh took place, giving guests the chance to explore the new space and take part in joint activities.
Switzerland launched Araket in 2022 in response to growing numbers of internal migrants settling on the outskirts of Bishkek and Osh, where access to public services is often limited due to the absence of registration and lack of information. Today the project operates in 11 settlements — 7 in Bishkek and 4 in Osh — reaching over 120,000 people.
The project helps residents understand their rights, gain access to public services, and improves infrastructure through cooperation with local authorities — making life in new settlements safer and more comfortable, with particular attention to women and children, helping them access greater opportunities in education, social engagement and economic stability.
Funded by the Swiss Government, the Araket project is implemented in Kyrgyzstan by GFA Consulting Group.
For more information, please contact Yulia Salomatina, Communications Specialist at the Public Association “Resource Center for the Elderly,” via email at pr.rce.kg@gmail.com or by phone at 0555 132937.