Sources of Funding

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Its role is to make sure the voice of the European Union and its people are heard in the world.

A key aspect of the work of the EEAS is its ability to work closely with the foreign and defence ministries of the 28 member states of the EU and the other EU institutions such as the European Commission, Council and Parliament. It also has a strong working relationship with the United Nations and other International Organisations.

Following the Treaty of Lisbon, the EEAS is responsible for the running of EU Delegations and Offices around the world. The 139 Delegations play a vital role in representing the EU and its citizens around the globe and building networks and partnerships. The main role is to represent the EU in the country where they are based and to promote the values and interests of the EU.

They are responsible for all policy areas of the relationship between the EU and the host country – be they political, economic, trade or on human rights and in building relationships with partners in civil society. In addition they analyse and report on political developments in their host country. They also programme development cooperation through projects and grants. A fundamental aspect of a Delegation is its public diplomatic role which consists in increasing the visibility, awareness and understanding of the EU.

Delegations are diplomatic missions and are usually responsible for one country, although some are representatives to several countries. The EU also has Delegations to international organisations like the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation for example.

More information about European External Action Service (EEAS) can be found here.

Contact details of the EU Delegations in the CA countries are provided below.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The EU combines different types of support to countries in need. It provides funding in the form of grants to support projects and organisations furthering its development objectives. It also offers public contracts and provides budget and sector support. Grants are managed by EuropeAid (Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development or DEVCO) or Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG Near).

DG DEVCO is responsible for formulating European Union development policy and thematic policies in order to reduce poverty in the world, to ensure sustainable economic, social and environmental development and to promote democracy, the rule of law, good governance and the respect of human rights, notably through external aid. We foster coordination between the European Union and its Member States in the area of development cooperation and ensure the external representation of the European Union in this field.

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

Grants are direct financial contributions provided to organisations, or to projects carried out by them. Most of the time, the Commission attributes them through calls for proposals.

More information on grants is available here.

Contracts are awarded through tendering procedures to purchase services, supplies or works.

More information of contracts is available here.

Both contracts and grants are awarded for activities contributing to specific development goals.

BUDGET SUPPORT

Budget support is an important tool to finance partner countries’ development strategies. It consists of financial transfers to the national treasuries, and also involves policy dialogue and measures to assess the use made of these funds.

Budget support helps to deliver aid adapted to the needs identified by the countries themselves.

To benefit from budget support, a beneficiary country must demonstrate commitment to the fundamental values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Budget support policy is available here.

SECTOR SUPPORT

A large part of the development funding made available by the EU targets specific sectors in partner countries. This so called ‘sector approach’ increases the effectiveness of aid by supporting government-owned strategies.

Sector support gives a boost to sector programmes run by partner governments. The funding can take on the form of sector budget support, grant and contract funding, or ‘common basket funding’ pooling resources from different donors.

The practical guide is the working tool explaining the procedures applying to external aid financed by the European Commission. It contains a specific section related to grants.

More information on DG DEVCO and the support it provides is available here.

For information of the EU policies and priorities in Central Asia is available on Europeaid website. More information of the EU-Central Asia Strategy is available here.

Through the Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA), the European Union backs the priorities of partner governments in the Central Asian region and supports them in undertaking priority investments contributing to inclusive and sustainable growth. The Facility aims at leveraging funds with eligible Financing Institutions for such investment projects.

IFCA, set up in 2010 as part of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), is one of the instruments to support the EU Strategy for Central Asia.

Through IFCA, the European Union backs the priorities of partner governments in the Central Asian region and supports them in undertaking priority investments contributing to inclusive and sustainable growth. The Facility aims at leveraging funds with eligible Financing Institutions for such investment projects.

The Facility intervenes in cases where the regular market fails to offer sufficient or affordable financing which may hinder the timely realisation of high priority investment projects with the potential to promote inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

The following partner countries are eligible for support from IFCA: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Facility can also finance regional projects covering two or more of the above countries.

In line with the objectives of the Regional Indicative Programme 2014 – 2020 for Central Asia, IFCA’s main objective is to contribute to sustainable regional development and economic growth.

Consequently, IFCA finances projects with the following aims:

• Better energy infrastructure
• Increasing protection of the environment and better focus and control of climate change impacts
• Creation and growth of SMEs and improvement of the employment situations
• Improving social services and infrastructure, including health and education.

In addition, IFCA may support the implementation of bilateral Indicative Programmes in the region.

IFCA provides its support through:

• Investment grants
• Technical assistance
• Risk capital and other risk sharing instruments

IFCA sets up partnerships, using grant resources from the EU to leverage and pool financing from multilateral and bilateral European Finance Institutions (such as AFD, CDP/SIMEST, EBRD, EIB or KfW), Regional Development Banks (such as the ADB) as well as the WB, partner countries and beneficiary institutions in Central Asia.

The EU blending project cycle comprises seven stages with responsibilities shared by key stakeholders. The main stakeholders in blending are EU Delegations, DG DEVCO and DG NEAR (Headquarters), financial institutions, partner countries and regional organisations.

Project cycle stages in blending operations

1. Identification: Projects are identified by the financial institutions and EU Delegations with the partner countries and, where relevant, regional organisations. The EU Delegations ensure the coherence of projects with EU policy objectives and sector priorities. Generation of a “pipeline”.
2. Preparation: The lead financial institution is in charge of submitting project proposals and trilateral consultations are held with EU DGs and financial institutions to secure matching criteria
3. Assessment: Relevant EU services will assess (i) the alignment to EU policy objectives, (ii) justification of need and added value, (iii) project’s social, environmental and climate change aspects, (iv) financial structure, while analysing political barriers & similar actions.
4. Board opinion: Opinions on EU grant requests are taken by consensus at meetings of the relevant Blending Framework Board (voting: Commission, the EEAS and the EU Member States); then the Commission takes their decision.
5. Contracting: The Commission decision to proceed with a project is followed by formal contracting, including signature of a delegation agreement with the lead financial institution.
6. Monitoring: The lead financial institution is responsible for project implementation (tendering & procurement), monitoring and (financial & operational) reporting, based on indicators.
7. Evaluation: Responsibility for the evaluation of blended operations is delegated to the lead financial institution.

Contact details:

Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development
Rue de la Loi 41, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 2991111, +32 2 2999814,
EuropeAid-IFCA@ec.europa.eu
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/regions/central-asia/investment-facility-central-asia-ifca_en

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union’s bank and the world’s largest multilateral borrower and lender providing finance and expertise for sustainable investment projects that contribute to EU policy objectives.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is non-profit long-term lending banking institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. The EIB is a publicly owned international financial institution and its shareholders are the 28 EU member states. Thus, the member states set the bank’s broad policy goals and oversee the two independent decision-making bodies – the board of governors and the board of directors.

It is the world’s largest international public lending institution.

Although about 90 percent of projects financed by the EIB are based in EU member countries, the bank does fund projects in about 150 other countries – non-EU South-Eastern European countries, Mediterranean partner countries, ACP countries, Asian and Latin American countries, the members of the Eastern Partnership and Russia. According to the EIB, it works in these countries to implement the financial pillar of the Union’s external cooperation and development policies by encouraging private sector development, infrastructure development, security of energy supply and environmental sustainability.

In Central Asia, The EIB is currently active in 4 countries: Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and most recently Uzbekistan. The loans provided by the EIB come from the lending window for Asia provided under the mandate from the Council and European Parliament for the period 2014-2020, out of which 182 M€ has been made available for use in Central Asia.

Overall the lending strategy outside the EU follows the EIB’s priority objectives for lending activity:

• Private sector development
• Financial sector development
• Infrastructure development
• Security of energy supply
• Environmental sustainability
• EU presence.

In Central Asia within the framework of the EIB External Lending Mandate, priority is given to projects which contribute to improving energy supplies and environmental protection. Borrowing counterparts will include both public sector entities and private sector companies.

Eligible projects in the energy sector: expansion, modernisation and upgrading of infrastructure and procurement of equipment for:

1. Gas and oil networks leading to improved performance and increased safety and security of gas supplies to the EU
2. Oil and gas extraction facilities, where EIB funding will focus on equipment and infrastructure for environmental protection purposes.
3. Electricity generation plants and electricity transmission lines, providing substantial energy saving and environmental protection benefits.

Eligible projects in the environmental sector: expansion, modernisation and upgrading of infrastructure and procurement of equipment for energy saving as well as schemes leading to a significant improvement of the environment

EIB provides 3 main funding types:

• Lending: The vast majority of EIB financing is through loans, but EIB also offers guarantees, microfinance, equity investment, etc.
• Blending: EIB support unlocks financing from other sources, particularly from the EU budget. This is blended with loans to form a full financing package.
• Advising: Lack of finance is often only one barrier to investment. EIB helps with administrative and project management capacity to facilitate investment.

In Central Asia within the framework of the EIB External Lending Mandate, priority is given to projects which contribute to improving energy supplies and environmental protection. Borrowing counterparts will include both public sector entities and private sector companies.

Eligible projects in the energy sector: expansion, modernisation and upgrading of infrastructure and procurement of equipment for:

1. Gas and oil networks leading to improved performance and increased safety and security of gas supplies to the EU
2. Oil and gas extraction facilities, where EIB funding will focus on equipment and infrastructure for environmental protection purposes.
3. Electricity generation plants and electricity transmission lines, providing substantial energy saving and environmental protection benefits.

Eligible projects in the environmental sector: expansion, modernisation and upgrading of infrastructure and procurement of equipment for energy saving as well as schemes leading to a significant improvement of the environment

In addition, Central Asian countries are eligible under the Bank’s own risk Climate Action & Environment Facility (CAEF) for investment grade projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture, transportation or storage projects aiming specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and projects contributing substantially to security of EU energy supply.

The EIB Project cycle includes 4 main stages:

1. Applying for a loan
2. Appraisal
3. Procurement
4. Monitoring.

Contact details

European Investment Bank, 98-100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer, L-2950 Luxembourg.
EIB Switchboard: Tel: +352 43 79 1; fax +352 43 77 04
Information desk: Tel: +352 4379-22000; fax +352 4379-62000
http://www.eib.org/infocentre/contact/index.htm

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991 and provides a range of financial products and services tailored to each client. It operates in more than 36 economies across three continents.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a multilateral developmental investment bank and international financial institution founded in April 1991.

The EBRD is owned by 65 countries and two EU institutions. Despite its public-sector shareholders, it invests mainly in private enterprises, together with commercial partners.

One of the key Funding channels of EBRD includes the above-mentioned Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA) which has central role in supporting EBRD activities in Central Asia. It covers Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and is aimed at promoting investments in the energy, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and social sectors. Since 2010, the IFCA and EBRD have had a very strong partnership and in 2016, six agreements worth almost 55 M€ were signed. These grants are used to support EBRD’s investments across the region, mostly in the municipal infrastructure, SME and energy efficiency sectors.

Initially focused on the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, EBRD expanded to support development in more than 30 countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. Besides Europe, member countries of the EBRD are from five continents (North America, Africa, Asia and Australia), with the biggest shareholder being the United States.

In 2015, the EBRD invested a record amount in the Central Asian region. The total investment in 2015 rose by 75% reaching 1,402 M€. Kazakhstan reported the largest total volumes of investment reaching 709 M€ in 2015.

EBRD members

The goal of EBRD is to maximise impact of projects implemented with its financial support. In order to do so the following factors are taken into consideration during the project proposal evaluation stage as well as later at project appraisal stages:

• Innovation
• Access to finance
• Regional Development
• Resource efficiency and environment
• Inclusion

EBRD supports projects in a large number of different sectors.

EBRD focus sectors

Projects may be considered for EBRD assistance if they:

• are located in an economy where the EBRD works
• have good prospects of being profitable
• have significant equity contributions in cash or in kind from the project sponsor
• would benefit the local economy
• satisfy the EBRD’s environmental standards as well as those of the host country

Environmental and social sustainability is the heart of EBRD activities, also through green economy products which amount to one third of EBRD’s investment. EBRD’s approach to sustainability involves “Green Economy Transition” and additionally

• incorporating environmental and social requirements into the appraisal and implementation of all Bank-funded projects based on European Union standards and international good practice
• providing finance and technical assistance specifically aimed at addressing environmental and social issues
• promoting economic inclusion and access to community services such as water and public transport
• supporting projects that promote gender equality
• encouraging public participation through pre-investment consultation and information disclosure, and maintaining regular strategic dialogue with civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Funding type

The EBRD tailors solutions to client and project needs and to the specific situation of the country, region and sector. It assigns a dedicated team of specialists with expertise in project finance, the region and sector, law and environment.

EBRD financing for private sector projects generally ranges from M€ 5 to M€ 200, in the form of loans or equity. The average EBRD investment is M€ 20. Smaller projects may be financed through financial intermediaries or through special programmes for smaller direct investments in the less advanced countries. The key three types of direct financial support provided by EBRD are:

• Loans
• Equity Investments
• Guarantees to promote trade

The total lifecycle of an EBRD project, from initiation to repayment, can range from one year for working capital or trade financing projects to 15 years for long-term sovereign infrastructure projects.

Contact details

EBRD Kazakhstan: http://www.ebrd.com/kazakhstan.html

Almaty Resident Office, 41 Kazybek Bi street, Park Palace Business Centre, 3-rd Entrance, 3-rd Floor, 050010, Almaty. Tel: +7 727 332 00 00, fax: +7 727 258 14 22

Nur-Sultan Resident Office, “SAAD” BC, 10th Floor, 2 Dostyk street, Yesil district, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. Tel. +7 7172 554246, fax: +7 7172 554245

EBRD Kyrgyz Republic: http://www.ebrd.com/kyrgyz-republic.html

Bishkek Resident Office, Business Centre Orion, 21 Erkindik Boulevard, 4th Floor, 720040 Bishkek
Kyrgyz Republic. Tel: +996 312 624 016, 624 017

Karakol office, 122 Gebze Str, 2nd floor, 722200 Karakol, Kyrgyz Republic. Tel: +996 3922 52050, fax: +996 3922 52060

Osh office, Osh-Nuru Hotel, 1 Bayalinov Street, 2nd floor, Office 217, 723500 Osh, Kyrgyz Republic Tel: +996 3222 21139, fax: +996 3222 57947

EBRD Tajikistan: http://www.ebrd.com/tajikistan.html

Dushanbe Resident Office, 34 Rudaki avenue, TCELL Plaza, 12 floor, 734025 Dushanbe, Tajikistan  Tel: +992 37 2 210763; 2213 543; 2216709; 2216718; 2219832; 2510178; 2512424

EBRD Turkmenistan: http://www.ebrd.com/turkmenistan.html

Ashgabat Resident Office, “Berkarar” Business Center, 13th floor, Suite M3, 82, 1972 street (Ataturk), 744000 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Tel: +993 12 46 88 20, fax: +993 12 46 88 26

EBRD Uzbekistan: http://www.ebrd.com/uzbekistan.html

Tashkent Resident Office, 1, Qoratosh Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 100027, Tel: +99871 140 44 00

KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW Development Bank) is a German government-owned development bank, which provides financing to governments, public enterprises and commercial banks engaged in microfinance and SME promotion in developing countries.

The German “Reconstruction Credit Institute” (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) is based in Frankfurt as a Germany’s government-owned development bank, owned by the Federal Republic of Germany (80 %) and the Federal States of Germany (20 %). In 1948 after World War II it was formed as a part of the Marshall Plan. Presently, KfW covers over 90% of its borrowing needs in the capital markets, which allows KfW to raise funds at advantageous conditions.

The entirety of KfW falls into several subsidiaries and group units (figure below): its largest subsidiary, KfW IPEX Bank GmbH, predominantly lends internationally (i.e., financing projects of German and European companies so they can compete in global markets), while a smaller subsidiary, the German Investment Corporation, and one of the group’s smaller business units, KfW Development Bank, are exclusively active in the international arena, each within their particular business areas.

KfW Development Bank cooperates with partners in in Africa, Asia, Latin America and South-East Europe.

In Asia KfW Development Bank works with many countries on behalf of the German Federal Government to fight poverty and climate change and protect the environment: these efforts include increasing the use of renewable energy sources and preserving biodiversity. Support is provided for efficient financial institutions that help small and medium-sized enterprises create jobs.

At present in Central Asia KfW Development Bank has offices in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

KfW promotes economic and social progress in developing and emerging countries to improve people’s lives. KfW sees its task in providing support and advice for reform processes and investments in developing and emerging countries. KfW sets these objectives:

• Sustainably improve economic and social conditions
• Poverty reduction
• Climate and environmental protection
• Promote the financial sector

Its partners are governments and (non-)governmental institutions and bilateral & multilateral donors.

It is particularly important for KfW that direct poverty reduction be accompanied by the creation of viable structures. Only in a favourable environment can women and men exercise their political rights, secure their economic livelihood and build their lives in dignity. In this sense, KfW is one of the leading financiers of microcredit in developing countries.

The magazine Global Finance rated KfW as the safest bank in its “World’s 50 Safest Banks 2014” rating.

Funding type

KfW Development Bank’s financial support is tailored to the circumstances in the respective partner country. The funding model selected will be determined depending on the size of a country’s debt, its economic output and level of development, the performance capacity of the project partner as well as the type of project. The funding models include pure grants and loans from budget funds, but also loans that combine budget funds and KfW’s own funds. The conditions for these kinds of loans are particularly favourable (interest, term). KfW also grants loans which are only comprised of KfW’s own funds at terms and conditions commensurate to risk.

Project cycle

All projects and programmes that are promoted by KfW Devel opment Bank, both financially and in terms of ideas, follow the same project cycle — from conception through to evaluation. Quality is carefully assured at each stage of this cycle. In doing so KfW Development Bank aims to ensure that the projects generate both specific and structural changes.

The preparation phase includes analysis and conception and is aligned with the country strategies of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ. The following on-site audit checks the conditions on-site.

The execution phase includes the financing agreement and execution in the technical sense, when the ownership by the partner country is strengthened, e.g. by the local project-executing agency being responsible for all activities.

The inspection phase includes the final inspection (checking if the population actually accepts the services offered), the ex-post evaluation by an independent administrative KfW department and finally transparent information via KfW’s transparency portal, providing information about the origin, use and impact of the funds is provided.

An intergovernmental agreement is generally concluded on any project. KfW checks whether the proposed projects are developmentally sound and realisable. Working together with the partner, specialised consulting firms draw up a feasibility study, which provides answers to all of the project’s key questions – economic efficiency, developmental impacts and possible risks.

KfW Project cycle

Contact details

https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/International-financing/KfW-Development-Bank/Local-presence/Regional-offices.html

KfW Office in Kyrgyzstan Blvd. Erkindik 22 / ul. Moskowskaya 101/1, 720040 Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Tel: +996 312 90 90 85-88, fax: +996 312 90 90 89, Email: KfW.Bischkek@kfw.de

KfW Office in Tajikistan N. Huvaidulloev Street 2\1, Jaihun Business Center, 3. Floor,  734049 Dushanbe, Tajikistan Tel: +992-44-6006823, fax: +992 44 600 52 04 Email: kfw.duschanbe@kfw.de

KfW Office in Uzbekistan 7 A., Chimkentskaya Str.,100029 Tashkent, Uzbekistan Tel: +99 871 280 6759, fax: +99 871 280 6760 Email: kfw.taschkent@kfw.de

French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) is a public financial institution that implements the policy defined by the French Government. It works to fight poverty and promote sustainable development.

AFD is a bi-lateral development finance institution established in 1941 that works on behalf of the French government. Its main focus of activities is provision of financial assistance according to France’s Overseas Development Assistance policies, including projects aimed at reducing poverty and inequalities, promoting sustainable economic growth, and preservation “Global Public Goods” of benefit to all humanity. Preservation of Global Public Goods includes the fight against climate change and pandemics; the protection of biodiversity; the promotion of social and environmental responsibility; as well as aid to countries weakened by strife, war and natural disasters.

Consequently, AFD is active in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and the French overseas territories where it finances and supports projects that improve living conditions for populations, promote economic growth and protect the planet. For Asia, this means a geographic emphasis on former French-Indochina, less on CA.

In keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, AFD works in many sectors — energy, healthcare, biodiversity, water, digital technology, professional training, among others — to assist with transitions towards a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable world. Moreover, 50% of AFD grants and loans to foreign countries in 2016 had climate and development as co-benefits.

AFD provides the following types of financial support:

Loans, which terms are determined depending on the type of project and its environment (impact and political, economic, social and environmental context) and the quality of the borrower (sector, rating, guarantees);

Guarantees for financing for companies and bond issues conducted on the markets by financial institutions or certain States;

Grants to finance actions in the social sector (health, education), initiatives for rural and urban development, and infrastructure projects.

Contact details

https://www.afd.fr/en
https://www.afd.fr/en/our-agency-uzbekistan
AFD regional office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
25 Istiqbol ko’chasi, 100047 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tel: +998 71 233 66 69

German government is supporting sustainable development in provides support to developing and transition countries and emerging economies through various programmes and agencies. In this section you will find brief information on some of them.

German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB)

German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB) currently has two main mechanisms for provision of financial support:

• Environmental Innovation Programme for Projects Abroad – this programme of Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety provides financial support for projects which will have direct environmental effects on Germany or which will increase, via a “philosophy transfer” and a maximum possible multiplier effect, the willingness to invest in climate action measures in the respective countries.

More information on the programme priorities and application criteria are available here.

• International Climate Initiative (IKI) was established in 2008. BMUB uses this instrument to strengthen cooperation between the German Government and developing and transition countries and emerging economies, in order to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and preserve biodiversity.

More information of the Initiative and application criteria are available here.

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

The guiding principles of Germany’s development cooperation will be protecting human rights and fostering the developing countries’ sense of ownership and ability to help themselves.

When Germany provides a developing country with a low-interest loan, when German experts advise the government of a partner country on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) or when private German organisations carry out projects in developing countries, these are all approaches involving direct development cooperation between Germany and its partners. Besides engaging in such bilateral development cooperation activities, Germany is also involved in activities for the benefit of the developing countries at the international level – for example, through the EU’s development policy and by supporting international organisations such as the United Nations.

To get more information on the available funding and project cooperation please visit BMZ website.

German Federal Foreign Office

German Federal Foreign Office represents Germany’s interests to the world. It promotes international exchange and offers protection and assistance to Germans abroad.

With its offices in Berlin and Bonn and a network of around 230 missions abroad, the Federal Foreign Office maintains Germany’s relations with other countries as well as with international and supra-national organisations. This work concerns much more than just political contacts among governments and parliaments. Because Germany and German society are enmeshed in ever-growing international networks, the Federal Foreign Office promotes intensive interaction and exchange with the world in the fields of business, culture, science and technology, the environment, development issues and many more areas.

Federal Foreign Office provides support through cooperation with humanitarian relief organisations in crisis situations. For more information please visit this website.

Federal Foreign Office is also involved in disaster risk reduction programmes; for more details please go to the dedicated webpage.

German development agency (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ or GTZ) GmbH or GIZ in short is a German development agency headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn that provides services in the field of international development cooperation. GIZ mainly implements technical cooperation projects of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), its main commissioning party, although it also works with the private sector and other national and supranational government organizations (but usually not with non-governmental organizations) on a public benefit basis.

For more information and contact details go to GIZ website.

Over 40% of the world’s population lives in transboundary river basins, which account for almost 60% of global freshwater resources. Moreover, nearly one country in six depends on upstream countries for over half of its water supply.

Water is, by nature, a local public good and a resource that crosses borders. This is a source of significant tension in some regions, namely Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. For this reason, France promotes international conventions that foster dialogue and support transboundary water cooperation initiatives.

Source: Foreign Ministry of France

More information on French policy priorities in the CA region and available types of cooperation can be found of there websites of the French embassies in the respective countries. More information is available here.

Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM)

The French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) was created by the French Government in 1994 following the first Earth Summit, to implement sustainable development projects that integrate the preservation of global public goods, international solidarity and innovation in developing and emerging countries.

FFEM promotes innovative solutions in the fields of biodiversity, climate, international waters, land degradation, including deforestation, chemical pollutants and the stratospheric ozone layer.

All FFEM-funded projects are reported as Official Development Assistance.

In 24 years, 314 projects have already been financed, in over 120 countries, including 69% located in Africa and the Mediterranean.

The FFEM’s mission is to encourage developing countries to implement strategies and projects of sustainable development in the 6 following areas:

• biodiversity ;
• climate change ;
• international waters ;
• land degradation, including desertification and deforestation ;
• persistent organic pollutants (POPs) ;
• ozone layer.
• Projets funded by the FFEM help to implement organisational methods and techniques which have a new and innovative feature.

More information on the projects implemented by FFEM can be found here.

Finland pursues an active bilateral and multilateral foreign and security policy. In a world of mutual interdependencies, this fosters sustainable development and promotes international stability, peace, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and equality.

Finland has pledged to bear its share of the global responsibility for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All of the Foreign Service’s priorities promote the attainment of the goals set in the 2030 Agenda. The Foreign Service also promotes sustainable development through its operating practices in the Ministry and the missions abroad. The Foreign Service plays a part in ensuring that sustainable development and consistent and coherent action are integral to Finland’s foreign policy overall and that there is improved coordination between all administrative branches. Through development policy and development cooperation, Africa will remain Finland’s central partner in the promotion of sustainable development. 6 (7) In its international cooperation, the Foreign Service will emphasise Finland’s experiences and practices. These include the priorities set out in the Government Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, namely a carbon-neutral and resource-wise Finland and a non-discriminating, equal and competent Finland.

Source: Finnish Foreign Service

At present Finland has an embassy in Kazakhstan and consulate in Kyrgyzstan. More information on Finnish policy priorities in the region and available sources of funding or types of cooperation can be found here.

Combating poverty, ensuring peace and preserving the environment: These are the three major concerns of Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation. ADA funds projects and programmes currently with a total of EUR 500 million to improve living conditions in developing countries.

Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocates the ADA budget, but other federal ministries and donors or the EU, for example, draw on ADA expertise. Since 2008, the Austrian Development Agency has been conducting programmes for the European Commission. Via a further financing instrument, business partnerships, it allocates private funds for development cooperation: ADA promotes projects of enterprises in developing countries and emerging nations if they contribute to improving the conditions of life of the population in a region. Most funds are invested in its key regions and priority countries.

ADA is primarily engaged in sectors where it can bring its professional know-how and long-standing experience to bear in: water supply and sanitation, renewable energy, climate protection, agriculture and forestry, private sector & development as well as human security, human rights and rule of law. It attaches particular importance in all its programmes and projects to the equal participation of women, taking special account of the needs of children and persons with disabilities.

More information is available here: www.entwicklung.at

The World Bank (WB) Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It has 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations.

World Bank was founded in 1944 as an international financial institution that provides loans to countries of the world for capital programs. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the International Development Association (IDA). The World Bank is a component of the World Bank Group. It provides low-interest loans, zero to low-interest credits, and grants to developing countries. These support a wide array of investments in such areas as education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture, and environmental and natural resource management. Some of its projects are co-financed with governments, other multilateral institutions, commercial banks, export credit agencies, and private sector investors.

The World Bank’s stated official goal is the reduction of poverty and promoting shared prosperity. According to Article I of its Articles of Agreement, its purposes are (i) to encourage the development of productive facilities and resources in less developed countries, (ii) to promote foreign investment or provide own capital and (iii) to promote the long-range balanced growth of international trade.

The World Bank Group works in more than 170 countries, cooperating with partners in the public and private sectors.

Priority fields covered by the WB financed projects are strongly related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which include the following targets:

• Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
• Achieve Universal Primary Education
• Promote Gender Equality
• Reduce Child Mortality
• Improve Maternal Health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases
• Ensure Environmental Sustainability
• Develop a Global Partnership for Development.

The World Bank produced a Climate Change Action Plan 2016-2020 including four priorities:

• Priority I: Support Transformational Policies and Institutions
• Priority II: Leverage Resources
• Priority III: Scale Up Climate Action
• Priority IV: Align Internal Processes and Work with Others

WB provides a variety of financial instruments and services. These are summarised in the Box below.

World Bank Financial Instruments

• Investment Project Financing provides IBRD loan, IDA credit/grant and guarantee financing to governments for activities that create the physical/social infrastructure necessary to reduce poverty and create sustainable development.
• Development Policy Financing provides IBRD loan, IDA credit/grant and guarantee budget support to governments or a political subdivision for a program of policy and institutional actions to help achieve sustainable, shared growth and poverty reduction.
• Program-for-Results links disbursement of funds directly to the delivery of defined results, helping countries improve the design and implementation of their own development programs and achieve lasting results by strengthening institutions and building capacity.
• Trust funds and grants allow scaling up of activities, notably in fragile and crisis-affected situations; enable the Bank Group to provide support when its ability to lend is limited; provide immediate assistance in response to natural disasters and other emergencies; and pilot innovations that are later mainstreamed into the Bank’s operations.
• Private sector options for financing, direct investment and guarantees are provided by MIGA and IFC.
• Customized options and risk management

World Bank Services

• Technical Assistance (TA)
• Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS)
• Economic and Sector Work (ESW)
• Business advice
• Donor aid coordination

Project cycle

The World Bank’s so called Green Project Cycle contains the following major stages:

1. Identification: The task of identifying and proposing projects for World Bank financing lies mainly with borrowing governments. In this first phase, planners answer questions such as: Who will benefit from the project? Will project benefits be greater than the costs? Are there other options for achieving the same objective? A project must also pass a priorities test.
2. Preparation: Though the Bank will often help, the borrowing country is responsible for exa­mining the technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of the project. It defines and analyses the available options, the feasibility of each, and their costs and benefits.
3. Appraisal: WB’s own independent assessment of the project is called-the appraisal. About 150 on-site appraisal missions, lasting three to four weeks, take place each year, performed by Bank staff and consultants on technical, institutional, economic and financial questions.
4. Negotiation and Board Presentation: The Bank appraisal report summarizing its recommen­dations for a loan’s conditions forms the basis for negotiations with the borrower. The negotiations bring World Bank staff and the borrower together to agree on the measures necessary for a successful project. Presentation is made to the WB Board of Directors. Implementation and Supervision: About ten WB staff-weeks a year are spent supervising each project, including visit the project site to identify problems and help find solutions.
5. Evaluation: An independent department within the World Bank, the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) is responsible for assessing the results of projects impartially.

The World Bank project cycle

Contact details

World Bank Central Asia Regional Office, 41A Kazybek bi Street, 4th floor, Almaty, 050010,
Kazakhstan, Tel.: +7 727 377-8220, www.worldbank.org/centralasia, Lilia Burunciuc, Regional Director for Central Asia.

World Bank Country Office for Kazakhstan, 12 Samal, 14th floor, Nur-Sultan, 010000, Kazakhstan, Tel.: +7 7172 691-440, astana_office@worldbank.org, www.worldbank.org/kz, Ato Brown, WB Country Manager for Kazakhstan

World Bank Country Office for the Kyrgyz Republic, 214 Moskovskaya Street, Bishkek, 720010, Kyrgyz Republic, Tel.: +996 312 625-262, dakmatbekova@worldbank.org, www.worldbank.org/kg

World Bank Country Office for Tajikistan, 48 Ayni Street, Sozidanie Business Center, 3rd floor, Du­shanbe, Tajikistan, Tel.: +992 48 701-5810, tajikistan@worldbank.org, www.worldbank.org/tj.

World Bank Country Office for Turkmenistan, Yimpash Business Center, Office 803, 54 Turkmenbashi Ave, Ashgabat, 744000, Turkmenistan, Tel.: +993 12 451-491, ashgabat@worldbank.org, www.worldbank.org/tm.

World Bank Country Office for Uzbekistan, 107B Amir Temur Street, Block C, 15th floor, Tashkent, 100084, Uzbekistan, Tel.: +998 71 238-5950, tashkent@worldbank.org, www.worldbank.org/uz.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through loans, grants, research and technical assistance to its member countries, as well as investments in private companies.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a financial institution and regional development bank established on 19 December 1966, which is headquartered in the Ortigas Centre located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The company also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.

ADB’s clients are ADB’s member governments, who are also ADB’s shareholders. In addition, ADB provides direct assistance to private enterprises of developing member countries through equity investments and loans. ADB’s assistance includes policy dialogues and advisory services. ADB is composed of 67 members. The ADB was modelled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members’ capital subscriptions. ADB is an official United Nations Observer. The three largest countries and regions by subscribed capital and voting power as per 2014 are Japan, the USA and the EU; the next three are China, India and Australia.

DB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development. ADB is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region.

Focus Areas of ADB include:

• Infrastructure, including energy, transport and communications, water supply and sanitation, and urban development.
• Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management – Environmental sustainability is seen as a prerequisite for economic growth and poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific according to ADB’s long-term strategic framework for 2008-2020.
• Education
• Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) is a process by which national economies become more interconnected regionally, accelerate economic growth, reduce poverty and economic disparity, raising productivity and employment, and strengthening institutions in Asia.
• Finance Sector Development – The financial system is the lifeline of a country’s economy.
• Private Sector Lending.

ADB offers a range of financial products that help developing member countries (DMCs) build economic growth and social development. These tools include loans, technical assistance, and grants. The main ADB financial mechanisms are presented in the Box below.

Project cycle

ADB provides financing for projects that will effectively contribute to the economic and social development of the country concerned and have the strongest poverty reduction impact in conformity with the country and ADB strategies. ADB’s project cycle is shown in figure below with the main stages being:

1. Country Partnership Strategy: ADB works with each developing member country to define a medium-term development strategy and operational program called a country partnership strategy (CPS). The CPS is aligned with the country’s development plan and poverty reduction goals, and its preparation with the DMC’s development planning cycle.
2. Project Identification/Preparation: ADB often provides grants called project/program preparatory technical assistance to help the government identify and prepare feasible projects (possibly including initial poverty & social analysis and a technical assistance report). During project examination, ADB examines project feasibility through a fact-finding mission.
3. Approval: (a) Loan Negotiation: drafts of loan agreement and project proposal submitted; (b) Board Approval: ADB’s Board of Directors approves by the Report and Recommendation of the President; (c) Loan Signing: the cabinet of the borrowing country’s Government and ADB’s President sign; (d) Loan Effectiveness: The loan takes effect once certain conditions are met (legal requirements, cross-effectiveness of co-financing, and subsidiary agreements).
4. Implementation: The executing agency implements (typically from two to five years), and project consultants are recruited as needed to assist the Government.
5. Completion and Evaluation: After the project facilities and technical assistance activities are completed, ADB prepares a project completion report to document the experience.

The ADB project cycle

Contact details

Kazakhstan Resident Mission (KARM) – Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Nur-Sultan Office 12 Samal Microdistrict, Astana Tower Business Center, 20th Floor Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan. Tel: +7 717 2709707, fax: +7 717 2328343; https://www.adb.org/countries/kazakhstan/contacts

Kyrgyz Republic Resident Mission (KYRM) – Asian Development Bank (ADB), Orion Business Center, 21 Erkindik Prospect, 6th Floor, 720040, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Tel: +996 312 626611, fax: +996 312 986761; https://www.adb.org/countries/kyrgyz-republic/contacts

Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) – Asian Development Bank (ADB),
45 Sovetskaya Street, Dushanbe 734001, Tajikistan
Tel: +992 372 271895 / 271897 / 210558, fax: +992 372 289128; https://www.adb.org/countries/tajikistan/contacts

Turkmenistan Resident Mission (TKRM) – Asian Development Bank (ADB),
82, 1972 (Ataturk) Street, Berkarar Business Center Building, Office M1, Ashgabat 744036, Turkmenistan. Tel: +993 12 468730, fax: +993 12 468731; https://www.adb.org/countries/turkmenistan/contacts

Uzbekistan Resident Mission (URM) – Asian Development Bank (ADB),
1 Qoratosh Street, Tashkent 100027, Uzbekistan
Tel: +998 71 1401920 to 1925, fax +998 71 1401976; https://www.adb.org/countries/uzbekistan/contacts

The Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative was founded in 2003 to address these linkages between the environment and security.  Since then, the Initiative has developed into a unique multi-agency programme operating in four regions: Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The ENVSEC Initiative is a partnership of five international organizations – the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) ,– with specialized, but complementary mandates and expertise, that provides an integrated response to environment and security challenges.

ENVSEC works in four focus areas, i.e

• natural resources,
• hazardous substances,
• climate change,
• information and participation.

ENVSEC priorities for Central Asia

Priority 1: Dialogue and cooperation on shared resources

Priority 2: Reduction of risks to security and stability from hazardous practices

Priority 3: Increased resilience to security impacts of climate change

Priority 4: Raising awareness and strengthening capacities and participatory mechanisms on environment and security issues

Types of support provided

The ENVSEC approach consists in four main steps:

• Assess the situation on the ground and map the problems (“hotspots”) in a participatory way;
• Draw the attention of politicians and people to these “hotspots” and gain recognition and political support;
• Develop corresponding regional work programmes and project portfolios;
• Support concrete actions and catalyze specific solutions to address the identified and security concerns on the ground.

The ENVSEC approach aims at achieving the following inter-related products:

• Vulnerability assessments, early warning and monitoring of environment and security risks;
• Improved capacities of national institutions for more effective environment and security policies, and stronger institutional dialogue;
• Technical expertise and financial resources mobilized for clean-up and remediation;
• Increased knowledge and awareness about the linkages between environment and security risks, and enhanced participation of interested actors in activities that aim at preventing and reducing these risks.

Contact details

More information on ENVSEC approaches and projects is available from their homepage.

ENVSEC contact details for Central Asia are available here.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank that aims to support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a new multilateral financial institution founded to bring countries together to address the daunting infrastructure needs across Asia. It commenced operations in January 2016 and has now grown to 84 approved members from around the world.

According to the Articles of Agreement (AOA) of AIIB, the Bank will “provide or facilitate financing to any member, or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any entity or enterprise operating in the territory of a member, as well as to international or regional agencies or entities concerned with economic development of the Asia region.”

AIIB members and perspective members

AIIB offers sovereign and non-sovereign financing for sound and sustainable projects in energy and power, transportation and telecommunications, rural infrastructure and agriculture development, water supply and sanitation, environmental protection, and urban development and logistics.

AIIB identifies the following three topics as their priorities:

• Sustainable Infrastructure: promoting green infrastructure and supporting countries to meet their environmental and development goals.
• Cross-country Connectivity: prioritising cross-border infrastructure, ranging from roads and rail, to ports, energy pipelines and telecoms across Central Asia, and the maritime routes in South East and South Asia, and the Middle East, and beyond.
• Private Capital Mobilization: devising innovative solutions that catalyse private capital, in partnership with other MDBs, governments, private financiers and other partners.

In June 2017 AIIB has developed Sustainable Energy for Asia Strategy which sets a clear framework for AIIB to invest in energy projects that will increase access to clean, safe and reliable electricity for millions of people in Asia. To implement the strategy, the Bank will support its members to do their part in fighting climate change as expressed in the Paris Agreement. Initially, AIIB will focus on projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency, rehabilitation and upgrading of existing plants, and transmission and distribution networks.

Funding type

AIIB main financial support vehicles are sovereign and non-sovereign loans.

The AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund (“Fund”) also provides grants to support and facilitate the preparation of projects to be financed by AIIB in eligible member countries (International Development Association recipients, including International Development Association Blend countries.)

In exceptional circumstances, Fund resources may also be used for preparing innovative/complex projects, regional/cross-border projects that have significant regional impact and benefit other members, or non-sovereign backed transactions where there is a demonstrable need.

Project cycle

AIIB’s project process is guided by its strategic goals and thematic priorities: sustainable infrastructure, cross country connectivity and private capital mobilization. AIIB screens project ideas and proposals from clients, partners and other stakeholders and seeks to achieve an appropriate balance among borrowers, sectors, sovereign and non-sovereign projects. Projects that meet the preliminary screening criteria are included in the rolling investment program. A brief description on main steps in project preparation and implementation are presented in the Box below.

AIIB Project cycle

Contact details

AIIB Headquarters: B-9 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100033, P.R. China,
Tel: +86 10 8358 0000. https://www.aiib.org/en/index.html
Information requests: Mail: B-9 Financial Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100033, China 
Fax: +86 10 83580005 
Email: information@aiib.org.

The Global Environment Facility was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems.  GEF funding to support the projects is contributed by donor countries. These financial contributions are replenished every four years (see GEF Replenishment documents) by the GEF 39 donor countries. Today, the GEF is an international partnership of 183 countries, international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector that addresses global environmental issues.

The World Bank serves as the GEF Trustee, administering the GEF Trust Fund (contributions by donors). The Trustee helps mobilize GEF resources; disburses funds to GEF Agencies; prepares financial reports on investments and use of resources; and monitors application of budgetary and project funds. The Trustee creates periodic reports that contain an array of fund-specific financial information.

The main priority fields supported by the GEF are:

• Biodiversity
• Chemicals and waste
• Climate Change
• Forests
• International Waters
• Land degradation

GEF funds are available to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements.

GEF support is provided to government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector companies, research institutions, among the broad diversity of potential partners, to implement projects and programs in recipient countries.

In most cases, the GEF provides funding to support government projects and programs. Governments decide on the executing agency (e.g. civil society organizations, private sector companies, and research institutions).

There are many issues to consider when seeking GEF funding. Who should I contact? Is my country/organization eligible for funding? Who will implement the project? What type of project should I consider? To help with these and other questions, please continue reading below.

Eligibility Criteria

All projects or programs must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible for GEF funding.

Eligible country: Countries may be eligible for GEF funding in one of two ways: a) if the country has ratified the conventions the GEF serves and conforms with the eligibility criteria decided by the Conference of the Parties of each convention; or b) if the country is eligible to receive World Bank (IBRD and/or IDA) financing or if it is an eligible recipient of UNDP technical assistance through its target for resource assignments from the core (specifically TRAC-1 and/or TRAC-2).

National priority: The project must be driven by the country (rather than by an external partner) and be consistent with national priorities that support sustainable development.

GEF priorities: The project has to address one or more of the GEF focal area strategies (Biodiversity, International Waters, Land Degradation, Chemicals and Waste, and Climate Change Mitigation, as well as cross-cutting issues like sustainable forest management).

Financing: The project has to seek GEF financing only for the agreed incremental costs on measures to achieve global environmental benefits.

Participation: The project must involve the public in project design and implementation, following the Policy on Public Involvement in GEF-Financed Projects and the respective guidelines.

Choice of GEF Agency

The GEF has 18 Partner Agencies. The Operational Focal Point decides which Agency would be best suited to develop and implement the project idea. This is an important decision since the Agency will be the partner at all stages of the project or program.

Types of Projects

The GEF provides funding through four modalities: full-sized projects, medium-sized projects, enabling activities and programmatic approaches. The selected modality should be the one that best supports the project objectives. Each modality requires completion of a different template. (https://www.thegef.org/documents/templates)

• Full-sized Project (FSP): means a GEF Project Financing of more than two million US dollars.
• Medium-sized Project (MSP): means a GEF Project Financing of less than or equivalent to two million US dollars.
• Enabling Activity (EA): means a project for the preparation of a plan, strategy or report to fulfill commitments under a Convention.
• Program: means a longer-term and strategic arrangement of individual yet interlinked projects that aim at achieving large-scale impacts on the global environment.

See GEF Policy and Program Cycle Policy for additional details.

Operational Focal Points

The Operational Focal Point (OFP) coordinates all GEF-related activities within a country. The OFP reviews project ideas, checks against eligibility criteria and ensures that new project ideas will not duplicate an existing project. Before contacting the Operational Focal Point, we suggest that you review the eligibility criteria (below) and check the Country Profile.

Country eligibility for GEF financing is defined in the 9th paragraph of the GEF Instrument.

“9. GEF funding shall be made available for activities within the focal areas defined in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Instrument in accordance with the following eligibility criteria:

(a) GEF grants that are made available within the framework of the financial mechanisms of the conventions referred to in paragraph 6 shall be in conformity with the eligibility criteria decided by the Conference of the Parties of each convention, as provided under the arrangements or agreements referred to in paragraph 27.

(b) All other GEF grants shall be made available to eligible recipient countries and, where appropriate, for other activities promoting the purposes of the Facility in accordance with this paragraph and any additional eligibility criteria determined by the Council. A country shall be an eligible recipient of GEF grants if it is eligible to borrow from the World Bank (IBRD and/or IDA) or if it is an eligible recipient of UNDP technical assistance through its country Indicative Planning Figure (IPF). GEF grants for activities within a focal area addressed by a convention referred to in paragraph 6 but outside the framework of the financial mechanism of the convention, shall only be made available to eligible recipient countries that are party to the convention concerned.”

In other words, countries are eligible for GEF funding in a focal area if:

• They meet eligibility criteria established by the relevant COP of that convention
• They are members of the conventions and are countries eligible to borrow from the World Bank (IBRD and/or IDA)
• They are eligible recipients of UNDP technical assistance through country programming.

Contact details

Contact details of the GEF focal points in the region of Central Asia can be found on this website.

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States.  The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

UN runs several programmes and dedicated funds, which provide technical and organisation support in implementation of environmental projects. More detailed information of the specific projects implemented by these programmes and opportunities for cooperation can be found on their dedicated websites (here the list is limited to those organisation that have provided support to environmental projects in CA region in the past).

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html

United Nations Adaptation Fund (UNAF)

https://www.adaptation-fund.org/about/

United Nations Development Account (UNDA)

https://www.un.org/development/desa/da/

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

https://www.unece.org/info/ece-homepage.html

United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)

https://www.unenvironment.org/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO)

https://en.unesco.org/

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

https://www.unicef.org/

Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a financial mechanism under the UNFCCC which helps fund climate finance investment in low-emission, climate-resilient development through mitigation and adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries.

The GCF was set up by the 194 countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010, as part of the Convention’s financial mechanism. It aims to deliver equal amounts of funding to mitigation and adaptation, while being guided by the Convention’s principles and provisions. The GCF is based in the new Songdo district of Incheon, South Korea.

GCF aims to catalyse a flow of climate finance to invest in low-emission and climate-resilient development, driving a paradigm shift in the global response to climate change. It is intended that the Green Climate Fund be the centrepiece of efforts to raise Climate Finance under the UNFCCC, and raise $100 billion a year by 2020.

When the Paris Agreement was reached in 2015, the Green Climate Fund was given an important role in serving the agreement and supporting the goal of keeping climate change well below 2 degrees Celsius.

GCF provides support to project all over the world with the majority of projects being implemented in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.

Implementation and priority fields

The fund aims at funding equally climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

GCF aims at engaging directly with both the public and private sectors in transformational climate-sensitive investments. GCF engages directly with the private sector through its Private Sector Facility (PSF), benefiting from the capacity to bear significant climate-related risk, allowing it to leverage and crowd in additional financing. The Fund offers a wide range of financial products including grants, concessional loans, subordinated debt, equity, and guarantees. This enables it to match project needs and adapt to specific investment contexts, including using its funding to overcome market barriers for private finance.

An important and valuable mechanism of GCF is the so called “Readiness Programme”, which is aimed at enhancing countries ownership. This mechanism supports such activities as development of National Climate Change Adaptation Plans and/or activities aimed at enhancement of the ability of an entity to seek accreditation with the Fund, including for the fast-track accreditation process (pre-accreditation support).

Project cycle

GCF somewhat differs from the general project cycle previously described. A simplified version of GCF project cycle is presented in the below.

An important element in the GCF project cycle is Accredited Entities – organisations that develop funding proposals to be considered by the Fund and oversee, supervise, manage and monitor their respective GCF-approved projects and programmes and meets certain GCF standards based on financial standards, environmental and social safeguards, and gender. They can be private, public, non-governmental, sub-national, national, regional or international bodies. There are two types of GCF Accredited Entities:

• Direct Access Entities are sub-national, national or regional organizations that need to be nominated by developing country National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or focal points;
• International Access Entities can include United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and regional institutions. GCF considers these organizations to have the wide reach and expertise to handle a variety of climate change issues, including ones that cross borders and thematic areas.

GCF Project cycle (following the link to get the full description of the project cycle)

Contract details

Headquarters: Songdo Business District, 175 Art Center-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22004, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
http://www.greenclimate.fund/contact-gcf
Public organizations: GCF Country Programming: Tel: +82 32 458 6010, email: readiness@gcfund.org
Corporate organizations: GCF Private Sector Facility, Tel: +82 32 458 6061, email: privatesector@gcfund.org;
info@gcfund.org.

Swiss government is supporting sustainable development in provides support to developing and transition countries and emerging economies through various programmes and agencies. In this section you will find brief information on some of them.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is the agency for international cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The SDC is responsible for the overall coordination with other federal authorities of development and cooperation with Eastern Europe as well as for humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation.

The SDC’s activities are designed to reduce poverty and hardship, curb global risks, and promote development that preserves natural resources for future generations.

International cooperation for the 2017–20 period pursues seven strategic goals:

• Contribute to developing an international framework that responds to global challenges
• Prevent and manage the consequences of crises, disasters and fragility, and promote conflict transformation
• Ensure sustainable access to resources and services for all
• Promote sustainable economic growth
• Strengthen the rule of law and democratic participation while supporting institutions that serve society and the economy
• Respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
• Strengthen gender equality and the rights of women and girls

In Central Asia Switzerland supports regional and national water management programmes in the three Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Switzerland’s support also focuses on public and health sector reforms and efforts to develop the private sector.

Switzerland has supported the reforms that have been under way in Central Asia since the early 1990s and is closely coordinating its activities with the project partners involved.

The 2017–2021 Cooperation Strategy is being jointly implemented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Switzerland’s key partners in Central Asia:

• Development partners
• Local and international NGOs
• Multilateral organisations such as the UNDP, development banks (EBRD, ADB) and the Bretton Woods institutions
• Civil society organisations
• National partners

More information on SDC activities and priorities in Central Asia can be found on the dedicated website and Swiss Cooperation Strategy Central Asia 2017–2021.

Contact details

Tajikistan: Swiss Cooperation Office SDC and Consular Agency, 3, Tolstoy Street, 734003 Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Phone: +992 44 600 54 55, Fax: +992 44 600 54 55, Email: dushanbe@eda.admin.ch

Kyrgyzstan: Embassy of Switzerland, 21 Erkindik blvrd., Bishkek 720040, Kyrgyzstan. Phone: +996 312 30 10 36, Fax: +996 312 30 36 77, Email: bik.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.

Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)

The mission of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources including soil, water, air, quietness and forests. It is responsible for the protection against natural hazards, safeguarding the environment and human health against excessive impacts, and conserving biodiversity and landscape quality. It is also responsible for international environmental policy.

The main areas international involvement of FOEN are climate change, biological diversity, chemicals and waste, green economy and sustainable finance.

More information is available here.

Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)

Division of Economic Cooperation and Development of Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) draws up the concept for the economic cooperation with selected, more advanced developing countries such as Indonesia and Peru, transition countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the new EU member states (enlargement contribution). The main objective in this context is to promote economic, environmental and socially sustainable growth which creates new jobs, facilitates increased productivity and helps to reduce poverty and disparities. This is done by integrating these countries into the global economy and strengthening the competitiveness of their domestic economies. This work focuses on support measures for those countries who have committed themselves to a serious process of reforms geared towards performance.

The work is organised along specialist lines and is focused on the five topic areas set out below for which the SECO is for the most part also responsible on the national level:

• Strengthening economic and financial policy
• Developing urban infrastructures and utility supplies
• Support for the private sector and enterprise
• Promoting sustainable trade
• Paving the way for climate-friendly growth

More information is available here.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to promote political, economic and cultural ties with the states in Central Asia. This includes cooperation in and through multilateral organisations such as the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as various UN bodies. As it does in other parts of the world, Norway seeks to promote good governance, human rights and democracy. Climate and environmental issues and education are also important areas for development cooperation. Alongside these issues, Norway has interests in energy development through the national energy champion, Statoil, in which the Norwegian state is the majority shareholder.

Contact details of Norway ambassadors to countries in Central Asia are available here:

Source of information: EUCAM

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses its Official Development Assistance (ODA), also known as its overseas aid budget to support and deliver the 4 strategic objectives of the government’s 2015 Aid Strategy which aligns the government’s global efforts to defeat poverty, tackle instability and create prosperity in developing countries. The 4 objectives are:

• strengthening global peace, security and governance
• strengthening resilience and response to crises
• promoting global prosperity
• tackling extreme poverty and helping the world’s most vulnerable

Formerly known as ‘strategic and bilateral programmes’, these funds support the FCO’s wider diplomatic effort and foreign policy in support of UK interests overseas. All  policy programmes are aligned with strategic objectives and, where appropriate, National Security Council strategies and the Aid Strategy.

Issues supported by  funds include Human Rights, Democracy and the Rules Based International System, Open Futures, and Strengthening Maritime Security.

More information is available here.

The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty. It is tackling the global challenges of our time including poverty and disease, mass migration, insecurity and conflict. Its work is building a safer, healthier, more prosperous world for people in developing countries and in the UK too.

More information is available here.

UKAid Direct

Funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), UKAid Direct was established in 2014 as a successor to the Global Poverty Action Fund (GPAF), which was created in 2010.

UK Aid Direct is a challenge fund designed to support the UK’s commitments to achieving the Global Goals. UK Aid Direct has reached more than 3 million people, through 147 grants, across 31 countries (February 2018). Funding rounds will continue until 2020.

The aim of UK Aid Direct is to fund small- and medium-sized national and international civil society organisations (CSOs) to reduce poverty and work towards achieving the Global Goals. Specifically, UK Aid Direct funding reaches the most marginalised and vulnerable populations, supporting the DFID agenda to ‘leave no one behind’.

More information is available here.

The Darwin Initiative

The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment through locally based projects worldwide.

The initiative funds projects that help countries rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources to meet their objectives under one or more of the following biodiversity conventions:

• the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
• the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing
• the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
• the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

More information is available here.

Contact details of the UK embassies in the CA region are available here.

Japan imports over 90% of its natural resources, such as oil, natural gas and iron-ore, and 60% of its food. It exports many of its products to the world. Trade with developing countries accounts for approximately 60% of imports and 40% of exports, making these nations indispensable partners for Japan. To further deepen partnerships with developing countries and contribute to international stability, Japan has provided official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries for more than half a century.

As the organisation in charge of administering ODA, JICA has helped foster human resources, technology transfer and infrastructure development in different countries through technical cooperation, Finance and Investment Cooperation and Grants based on bilateral assistance. Its activities have been praised highly for their success in promoting sustainable economic growth for many countries in Asia and across the globe. JICA has forged close relationships with the governments of industrialized countries and international aid organizations aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and resolving global issues such as climate change.

More information is available here and here.

The Japan policy and human resources development (PHRD) Fund was created in 1990 through a joint agreement between the World Bank and the Government of Japan out of a commitment to alleviate poverty, build the necessary foundations for sustainable development, and create a close development partnership.

More information is available here.

President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961 to lead the US government’s international development and humanitarian efforts.

U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America’s interests while improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad.

USAID works in over 100 countries to:

• Promote Global Health
• Support Global Stability
• Provide Humanitarian Assistance
• Catalyze Innovation and Partnership
• Empower Women and Girls

More information about the opportunities for funding are available here.

OPEC Fund for International Development

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a channel of aid to the developing countries. OFID works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international donor community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. It does this by providing financing to build essential infrastructure, strengthen social services delivery and promote productivity, competitiveness and trade. OFID’s work is people-centered, focusing on projects that meet basic needs – such as food, energy, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education – with the aim of encouraging self-reliance and inspiring hope for the future.

More information is available here: http://www.ofid.org

The Aga Khan Development Network

Founded and guided by His Highness the Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) brings together a number of development agencies, institutions, and programmes that work primarily in the poorest parts of Asia and Africa. A central feature of the AKDN’s approach to development is to design and implement strategies in which its different agencies participate in particular settings to help those in need achieve a level of self-reliance and improve the quality of life.

More information is available here: www.akdn.org

Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development

Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development is the first institution in the Middle East that took an active role in the international development efforts.

The Kuwait Fund extends Loans on concessionary term to finance development projects in the developing countries. The Fund also provides technical assistance to finance the costs of the feasibility studies of projects, as well as the training of nationals of the borrowing countries. In addition, the Fund subscribes in the capital of international and regional development institutions. Today, the Kuwait Fund forms a solid bridge of friendship and solidarity between the state of Kuwait and the developing nations.

More information is available here: www.kuwait-fund.org

International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

IWMI is a CGIAR center focused on research for development to deliver new evidence-based approaches that address key water-related challenges. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. IWMI is the lead center for the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE).

More information is available here: http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/

International Development Enterprises

International Development Enterprises (iDE) is a global effort that spans offices in 14 countries, encompassing 4 social enterprises, employing over 1,000 people directly, and indirectly enabling many more through our market-based approaches in agriculture; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and finance.

More information is available here: www.ideglobal.org

ICCO Cooperation

ICCO Cooperation is a global, non-governmental organization. ICCO gives people the opportunity to link up to viable and sustainable agribusiness value chains, acquire income and produce sufficient and quality food for a balanced diet. They connect organisations and investors, and develop skills to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. They also support organisations that help farmers obtain land titles and work with private sector businesses that purchase produce, set quality standards and strengthen producer organisations.

ICCO applies and combines funding sources, different financing instruments and business entities from the ICCO Group. By doing so they accept a certain measure of risk-taking by combining grant based co-financing with non-grant based funding mechanisms like loans, equity and impact investments.

At present, ICCO has country offices in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

More information is available here: www.icco-cooperation.org/

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)

The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a global partnership that helps developing countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change.

GFDRR is a grant-funding mechanism, managed by the World Bank, that supports disaster risk management projects worldwide.

Working on the ground with over 400 local, national, regional, and international partners, GFDRR provides knowledge, funding, and technical assistance.

More information is available here: www.gfdrr.org

Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP)

Launched in 2010, the Global Agriculture & Food Security Program (GAFSP) represents a transformative approach to development aid that pools donor funds to make lasting improvements by supporting technically sound, country-led plans and sustainable, inclusive small- and medium-sized enterprises. The inaugural donors—Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and the United States—were soon joined by Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. GAFSP’s donors work in partnership with recipients, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and their families. Millions of poor and vulnerable people around the world will directly benefit from GAFSP’s continued commitment and support.

GAFSP projects are led by governments, private sector, and civil society organizations (CSOs). To ensure quality, GAFSP has partnered with the world’s leading development institutions to enable access to their experience, capacity and quality, and to assist recipients in preparing, implementing and coordinating relevant and successful projects. GAFSP recipients determine which expert institution to work with.

GAFSP offers a range of public and private investment tools including grants, concessional loans, blended finance, technical assistance and advisory services. With a combination of public and private investments, GAFSP projects deliver strategic support to agricultural systems that expand the horizon of agricultural financing, increasing its reach and impact.

More information is available here: www.gafspfund.org

Climate Investments Funds (CIF)

Since the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) was established in 2008, 14 donor countries have contributed over $8 billion in support of scaling up mitigation and adaptation action in developing and middle-income countries. These precious public resources are held in trust by the World Bank, and they are disbursed as grants, highly concessional loans, and risk mitigation instruments to recipient countries through multilateral development banks (MDBs).

The CIF is the only multilateral climate fund to work exclusively with MDBs as implementing agencies. This ensures due diligence and high standards, and the CIF benefits from the banks’ ability to leverage financing, mobilize other actors, and harmonize policy support. The CIF, in turn, facilitates cooperation among MDBs, which benefits recipient countries, climate-friendly market growth, and the MDBs themselves.

More information is available here: www.climateinvestmentfunds.org

Climate Development and Knowledge Network

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) is able to provide support through its alliance organisations and procure the best services from around the world. They strive to deliver the highest quality technical advice, forge uniquely effective partnerships, and drive the latest and best thinking on climate compatible development.

Within the broad scope of climate compatible development, CDKN works across four strategic themes:

• Climate compatible development strategies and plans
• Improving developing countries’ access to climate finance
• Strengthening resilience through climate-related disaster risk management
• Supporting climate negotiators from the least developed and most vulnerable countries.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network was funded from March 2010 to March 2018 by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS). As of March 2018, CDKN has received funding from 12 donors, including the Governments of Norway and Sweden, the US Department of State and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Knowledge management

CDKN’s knowledge management work aims to: enhance the accessibility and relevance of knowledge on climate and development; maximise the uptake, application and impact of this knowledge to support climate-resilient, low-carbon development at scale; and enhance leadership and collaboration – help developing country actors to become more influential, informed champions of climate action.

Technical assistance

CDKN’s technical assistance service provides tailored and demand-driven support to developing country decision-makers in the design and delivery of climate compatible development policies and practices, and acts as a catalyst to maximise the impact of increasing flows of donor climate and development funding.

Negotiations Support

CDKN works with the leaders and negotiators of developing countries to help them become better informed and more skilled at negotiating, as well as to become more active, networked and influential actors in the international climate change talks. Only once they have a strong voice and can exert their influence in the international negotiating arena will more robust, progressive and equitable outcomes be possible for all parties.

Research

CDKN supports a wide range of demand-led, policy-relevant, applied research projects, led and implemented by a wide range of universities, private sector partners, NGOs and international agencies. CDKN looks for projects which not only demonstrate scientific excellence, but which also clearly respond to identified developing country needs and demand and promise high policy impact. CDKN values innovative, game-changing research within the context of climate compatible development.

More information is available here: cdkn.org

China Trust Fund

In 2012, UN Environment and China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (China MEP) signed a framework agreement on strategic cooperation. Its overall objective was to strengthen mutual support and to build the capacity of developing countries to address environmental issues, sustainably develop their economies and increase awareness of environmental challenges.

More information is available here.

British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership (BATBP)

The Biodiversity Partnership focused its resources on addressing the challenging issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

The British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership (BATBP 2001-2015) closed in December 2015.

More information is available here.

Arcadia Fund

Founded by Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, Arcadia supports charities and scholarly institutions to preserve cultural heritage, protect the environment, and promote open access.

Arcadia environmental grants protect threatened biodiversity and landscapes, train conservation professionals, and make research freely available.

Their focus on four approaches: on-site conservation, off-site conservation, policy advocacy, and conservation leadership.

Since 2002 Arcadia has awarded 71 grants to protect endangered nature, totalling $184m.

More information is available here.

Baiterek

The mission of “Baiterek” NMH” JSC is to support the sustainable economic development of the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to implement public policies and achieve goals set by the 2050 Strategy.

https://www.baiterek.gov.kz/en/about-holding

Samruk Kazyna

The mission of Samruk-Kazyna JSC is to improve the sovereign welfare of the Republic of Kazakhstan and ensuring long-term sustainability for future generations.

https://www.samruk-kazyna.kz/

International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects (IGTIC)

Non-profit Joint-Stock Company “International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects” mission is to facilitate sustainable development by promoting the transition to Green Economy.

https://igtipc.org/en/abou

National Fund for Environmental Protection and Forestry Sector Development

Environmental funds provide the main source for the financing of public environmental expenditures in Kyrgyzstan. The Republican Environment Protection and Forestry Development Fund was established by a presidential Decree in 2006, merging the operations of the former Republican Fund of Environmental Protection and the Fund of Development of Forestry.

The system of environmental funds includes the national fund and a number of local funds. The number of local funds was reduced from nine to seven in 2005, with further consolidation into four funds (Chu-Bishkek-Talas, Issyk-Kul-Naryn, OshBatken and Jalal-Abad) The mergers aimed to lower overall management costs, as some of these funds were too small to justify this independence.

Available information shows that total spending is roughly equally shared between the national and local funds on water, forestry and monitoring and dissemination activities. In other activities, such as capacity-building or harmonization of legislation, funding is provided by the national fund almost exclusively, with the exception of biodiversity. By contrast, spending on waste is mostly executed with local funds.

Source: UNECE

Climate Finance Centre of Kyrgyz Republic

CCF is the leading organization responsible for climate finance in the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition to attracting financial resources and international organizations, and supporting the development and implementation of investment projects and programs in the field of adaptation to climate change, the CCF is tasked with the activities of all stakeholders in the field of climate change.

http://climatefinance.kg/language/en/home/

An extrabudgetary State Environmental Fund was established in 1996 based on Presidential Decree No. 2570 and became operational that same year. Earmarked revenues allocated to the Fund were generated by fines for violations of environmental regulations, payments of pollution charges, licence fees for use of flora and fauna, environmental damage compensation, permit fees for hunting and fishing, fees for inspection and registration of small vessels, and payments by enterprises and other institutions for the use of natural resources. Expenditures on specific projects financed by the Fund were subject to the approval of the Ministry of Finance. The State Environmental Fund was abolished in 2008 together with a number of other off-budget funds. The corresponding financial resources have been allocated to two special accounts, one for MoNP and the other for the State Committee for Fisheries. The operating principles are the same as for the former State Environmental Fund.

Source: UNECE

National Fund for Nature Protection

The system of environmental funds has proven its role as a reliable source of funding for environmental purposes. Revenues accruing to the National Fund for Nature Protection include 25 per cent of the revenues of the system of local funds, income from participating enterprises, voluntary contributions and publishing activities. In addition, according to the 2004 reform, the National Fund for Nature Protection receives 50 per cent of the fines and claims for environmental damage which result from the activities of central environmental inspectors

The system of environmental funds includes the National Fund for Nature Protection and 14 local funds. Tashkent City and the Tashkent region accounted for around 40 per cent of total revenues in 2008.

Source: UNECE