TURKMENISTAN: GRANT PROPOSAL FOR PRM FY 2009 JULIA TAFT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ASHGABAT 000529

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN; PRM/ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GRANT PROPOSAL FOR PRM FY 2009 JULIA TAFT

REFUGEE FUND

REF: STATE 14280


1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The following is Embassy Ashgabat's
recommendation for FY 2009 support via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund
to finance a refugee assistance project. The proposed project would
provide equipment and materials for the establishment of income
generating workshops for metalwork, carpet-weaving, and small-scale
dairy production. The beneficiaries are refugees, and former
refugees who have received Turkmen citizenship, in Gokhan
settlement, Mary Province, Turkmenistan. The project aims to assist
refugees/former refugees of both genders between the ages of 18-35
to develop income-generating skills. The proposed project is
expected to be especially useful for refugee youth who do not have
access to vocational education. END SUMMARY.

THE PROJECT TITLE/ESTIMATED COST


3. (SBU) Project title: Establishment of income generating workshops
for metalwork, carpet-weaving, and small-scale dairy production for
refugees and former refugees in Gokhan settlement of Mary Province,
Turkmenistan. Estimated duration and cost: The project to be
implemented by implementing partner NGO Keik Okara is envisaged for
12 months at a cost of $19,870.

BACKGROUND


4. (SBU) Rural Turkmenistan is awash in economic and social problems
that limit career opportunities for young people. These
difficulties are particularly acute for resettled refugees living in
rural areas, who lack language skills, resources and social support
networks. Unemployment and lack of vocational training make it
difficult for young people to earn a living in their area of
residence. These conditions in turn trigger illegal labor migration
from rural areas, generating a host of other social and health
problems.


5. (SBU) The refugee and former refugee population of Gokhan
consists of 121 Afghan prima facie refugees - 19 families, 166
Iranian prima facie refugees - 26 families, and 309 former Tajik
refugees - 61 families. The former refugees from Tajikistan were
granted Turkmen citizenship in 2005 when the government granted
citizenship to approximately 10,000 refugees from Tajikistan,
primarily ethnic Turkmen, who came to Turkmenistan during Tajik
civil war. Despite having citizenship, these former refugees
continue to face challenges integrating into Turkmen society.


6. (SBU) Ashgabat-based Keik Okara NGO has worked as UNHCR's
implementing partner in Turkmenistan since 1998. It conducts needs
assessments among urban and rural refugees. In Gokhan, the area of
the proposed refugee assistance project, Keik Okara conducted an
assessment, revealing that among its refugee population, there are
individuals with various trade skills who, for lack of material
resources, are not able to earn a living. They are also unable to
provide training and employment for the next generation who
currently lack trade skills. Since 2006, Keik Okara has carried out
training in rural areas of Mary Province and established partner
relations with representatives of village administrations, the Mary
Provincial Governor's office, and the Mary Provincial World Turkmen
Humanitarian Association, all of whom will consult and carry out
monitoring in the course of implementation of this project
activity.

NEED FOR A METALWORK WORKSHOP


7. (SBU) In Gokhan, there are motorized vehicles and mechanized farm
equipment. The proposed metalwork shop would provide repair and
maintenance services for vehicles and agricultural machinery. The
workshop also would make metal structural pieces for cattle
shelters, fences for private land plots, and spare parts for
agricultural machinery.

ASHGABAT 00000529 002 OF 004



NEED FOR A CARPET WORKSHOP


8. (SBU) The proposed carpet workshop would allow the weaving of
better quality carpets and would diversify the assortment of goods,
resulting in higher sales of their products.

NEED FOR A MILK PROCESSING WORKSHOP


9. (SBU) In Gokhan some families have dairy cows that produce up to
15 liters of milk per household. The proposed small-scale dairy
workshop will allow the processing of dairy products for sale to the
local population. For installation and adjustment of milk
processing equipment and further consultation on use and service of
the equipment, a specialist from a dairy plant will be involved.

PROJECT BENEFITS


10. (SBU) The establishment of the proposed workshops in Gokhan
would create jobs, develop vocational skills, provide better quality
products and services, and create a basis for entrepreneurship.
Young people would learn business skills, including organizing
publicity and marketing events, business networking, and building
constructive dialogue with representatives of state and business
structures.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN


11. (SBU) In order to fully implement the project, Keik Okara will
organize the following tasks:

-- Prepare a premises for the equipment; buy the equipment; install
and adjust the equipment.
-- Select experts who have knowledge and professional skills to
train employees; form working brigades; appoint a responsible person
for safety.
-- Prepare a three-month program of training courses; inform the
population about curriculums; form training groups; conduct training
courses among youth for development of professional skills.
-- Sell finished products among the population; inform the
population about services provided; deliver welding services on
location or in the workshop; provide metalwork services to local
population; keep records on results of dairy processing.


12. (SBU) Keik Okara NGO will provide a financial and descriptive
evaluation report based on the beneficiary population's feedback.

EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT


13. (SBU) As a result of the project, it is expected that 45
persons, aged 18-35, will receive vocational training, and jobs and
conditions for economic development will be created. Young people
(boys) will develop professional skills on metalwork, turning and
milling; (girls) will develop skills of carpet weaving. The dairy
workshop will provide nearby settlements with good-quality dairy
products. Overall, the project would establish a basis for
entrepreneurship, provide jobs, improve conditions for economic
development and increase individuals' ability to compete in labor
market. The trained youth would be able to share their knowledge
and experience with others. The project would create an opportunity
for partnerships with representatives of state and business
structures.


14. (SBU) After completion of the project, it is planned that the
workshops will be self-financed and/or will use donor contributions
from international organizations.

PROJECT BUDGET


15. (SBU) Budget Items

Funding from Refugee Fund grant:

ASHGABAT 00000529 003 OF 004



-- Salary for dairy equipment expert - USD 120
TOTAL SALARY EXPENSE - USD 120

-- Dairy Equipment, including milk skimming centrifuge, centrifuge
milk pump, freezing chamber, milk electrical bath, milk bath - USD
11,800
-- Carpet bench -USD 2,750
-- Metalwork equipment, including metalwork lathe, tool kit with
hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, anvil - USD 3,600
TOTAL EQUIPMENT EXPENSE - USD 18,150

Shipment of equipment from Ashgabat - USD 500
Travel expenses for monitoring/ evaluation - USD 500

TOTAL GRANT AMOUNT - USD 19,870

Expenses covered by other sources:

-- Services of the project manager and assistant manager will be
provided by Keik Okara.

-- Cost of obtaining and upgrading premises for the workshops will
be paid by the local government authority.

TEXT OF KEIK OKARA NGO'S CODE OF CONDUCT


16. (SBU) In accordance with the mission of organization and
principles of international law and codes of conduct, all of Keik
Okara NGO's staff, including core staff, interns, contractors, and
volunteers (Keik Okara workers) are responsible for promoting
respect for fundamental human rights, social justice, human dignity,
and respect for the equal rights of men, women, and children. While
respecting the dignity and worth of every individual, the Keik Okara
worker will treat all persons equally without distinction whatsoever
of race, gender, religion, color, national or ethnic origin,
language, marital status, sexual orientation, age, socio-economics
status, disability, political conviction, or any other
distinguishing feature. Keik Okara NGO's workers recognize that
certain international standards of behavior must be upheld and that
they take precedence over local and national cultural practices.
While respecting and adhering to these broader frameworks of
behavior, Keik Okara specifically requires that Keik Okara workers
adhere to the following Code of Conduct.

Commitment to Keik Okara Code of Conduct

- Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse constitute acts of serious
misconduct and are therefore grounds for disciplinary measures,
including summary dismissals.
- Sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18) is
prohibited regardless of the age of majority or age of consent
locally. Mistaken belief in the age of the child is not a defense.
- Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex,
including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or
exploitative behavior is prohibited. This includes the exchange of
assistance that is due to beneficiaries.
- Keik Okara NGO does not allow sexual relationships between workers
and beneficiaries since they are based on inherently unequal power
dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity
of humanitarian aid work.
- Where a staff or volunteer develop concerns of suspicions
regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a fellow staff or
volunteer, s/he must report such concerns via the reporting
mechanisms.
- All staff members and volunteers are obliged to create and
maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse
and promotes the implementation of this code of conduct.

The prohibitions set out above are not intended to be an exhaustive
list. Other forms of sexually exploitative or sexually abusive
behavior may be grounds for administrative action or disciplinary

ASHGABAT 00000529 004 OF 004


measures including summary dismissal. Volunteers in violation of
the above will be dismissed and removed from the Keik Okara
volunteer database.


17. (U) Post certifies that it has the authority at post and the
capacity to award a grant to the intended recipient agency prior to
the end of the fiscal year.


18. (U) Embassy Ashgabat's points of contact for this project are
Political Officer Peter Eckstrom and Political Assistant Gozel
Pashikova. Post stands ready to provide any additional information
that might assist PRM is reviewing this recommendation for support
via the Julia Taft Refugee Fund.

MILES