Communities in the Fergana Valley are strengthening their capacity to address climate and water challenges while promoting dialogue and cooperation around the shared use of natural resources. As part of a joint initiative by UNDP and the Public Association “BIOM,” local governments and residents of the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions are developing practical skills in climate risk assessment, inclusive decision-making, and peaceful dispute resolution.
The project “Women of the Fergana Valley at the Forefront of Climate Change Resilience, Adaptation, and Peace,” funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNDP and the Public Association “BIOM,” is being carried out in close coordination with the authorized representatives of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions.
The Fergana Valley has significant potential for developing resilient and peaceful communities, where effective water resource management, awareness of climate risks, and inclusive participation of residents can become the foundation for long-term sustainability. The conducted analysis showed that developing skills in assessing climate and water risks, joint decision-making, and peaceful dispute resolution opens new opportunities for preventing tensions and finding sustainable solutions at the community level.
In this regard, the project covered 20 pilot rural districts to enhance capacity from December to March: 10 key and 10 satellite districts selected based on data analysis and focus group discussions.
In 10 key rural districts, two-day training sessions on scenario planning were conducted. Participants learned to analyze climate and water risks, account for gender aspects, and shift from threat assessment to finding joint solutions for further integration into socio-economic development plans. A total of 173 people participated in the training, of which 99 were women (57%) and 74 were men.
Additionally, practical training sessions on implementing low-cost climate-resilient irrigation techniques and developing small grants were held in these same rural districts. A total of 164 people participated, including 120 women (73%). This focus enabled the strengthening of women’s roles not only as the most vulnerable group to climate stresses but also as active participants in adaptive solutions.
In the 10 satellite rural districts, the training was implemented as a practical tool for peacebuilding to reduce social tension using a conflict-sensitive “do no harm” approach, particularly in the area of irrigation against the backdrop of increasing climate stresses. The events were attended by 300 people — representatives of local governments, municipal structures, civil society organizations, and local populations, including 185 women and 115 men.
The training component of the project laid a foundational package of peacebuilding and climate-sensitive competencies at the local level. Communities received tools to understand climate-water factors of conflicts, develop dialogue, and create transparent resource management mechanisms. The next step will be to support practical initiatives through small grants aimed at strengthening trust, social cohesion, and more effective water resource management.
The initiative directly contributes to the implementation of the National Development Program 2030, particularly in strengthening climate resilience, effective water resource management, and developing strong local governance.
UNDP serves as a platform for uniting local communities, experts, and partner organizations, supporting the development of practical skills and tools for sustainable resource management. It also facilitates the adoption of international experience in climate adaptation, gender equality, and conflict-sensitive approaches, helping local institutions and residents collaboratively find solutions that enhance trust, social cohesion, and resilience to climate challenges.
The project aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Fergana Valley to climate change, reduce conflict risks surrounding water resources, and support inclusive management at the local level — in line with national sustainable development priorities in Kyrgyzstan.
