AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES FIRST COMMUNITY SELF-HELP

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001298

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, EUR/PGI, DRL
DEPT PLEASE PASS MCC AND USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON AM
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES FIRST COMMUNITY SELF-HELP
FUND SITE


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PROJECT ENERGIZES LOCAL INVOLVEMENT
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1. (U) Ambassador Ordway, accompanied by regional GOAM
representatives and local press, inaugurated the newly
completed Noyemberyan Sport School facility June 2 in
Armenia's northeastern Tavush region. The ceremony marked
the completion of the first project sponsored by the USG's
"Community Self-Help Fund" (CSHF) initiative in Armenia. A
grant of USD 10,500 was used to leverage funding from the
GOAM and a municipal relief organization in Greece to
refurnish the complex, purchase safe recreational equipment
from reputable suppliers, repair an unsafe fence and
lighting in the park area adjacent to the school and
renovate the area for public use. Media coverage of the
event noted the project's early and under-budget completion
and echoed Ambassador Ordway's call for increased private-
public collaboration at the local level to improve living
standards in Armenia's rural areas. Local leaders praised
the effort as a way to mobilize local architectural and
construction talent that had been underutilized in this
border town since the outbreak of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

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COMMUNTITY SELF-HELP FUND FOSTERS LOCAL COOPERATION
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2. (U) The sport school was one of the ten successful
applicants who were awarded small grants during the first
tranche of funding from the CSHF project. The CSHF program
awards communities who successfully mobilize local resources
through proven and effective NGO mechanisms to offer a
significant portion of capital needed for local
infrastructure projects that address urgent community needs.
As part of the program, NGOs must work with local businesses
and municipal authorities to ensure that program activities
will not be blocked and that they will receive support from
appropriate civic entities upon completion. Sustainability
was a key factor in granting funds for the CSHF projects.
In the case of the Noyemberyan Sports School, the local NGO
identified a market for clean, affordable lodging in the
region (there are no hotels in a 40 mile radius) and
refurbished part of the complex to serve as a hotel
facility. An overwhelming 250 eligible applications
competed for the first round of CSHF funding.


3. (U) The United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) is managing the project through the
local offices of Save the Children. Post will continue to
refine the program as a complementary arm of ongoing USG
technical assistance for NGOs and government strengthening
at the local level. A second call for proposals is expected
by June 31.
ORDWAY