The event has been organized jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic and the local authorities. The programme is co-financed by the governments of Switzerland and Germany and implemented by GIZ.

The Swiss government will contribute Euro 2.1 million. The additional Swiss funds will be allocated to continue the work in the Jalal-Abad region and to strengthen new value chains in Batken region.

The programme will support the local producers and entrepreneurs for better income prospects and use of green technologies. In Batken region successful business model that worked in Jalal-Abad region will be replicated.

Since 2015, Swiss contribution is totalling almost 7 million Euros. The programme already contributed to put in place profitable private technical advisory services that improved production and opened access to high value international for organic plums and early vegetables. In the Jalal Abad region only almost 1000 new jobs were created; nearly 600 agricultural producers have substantially increased their income; around 140 food processing small and medium enterprises increased their incomes by 40%.

In general the programme promotes green practices ensuring sustainable private sector development in Issyk-Kul, Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken regions of Kyrgyzstan. 

The funds will be used to support 80,000 people living in poverty. They will receive cash assistance in urban areas, with a possibility to participate in creating community assets and skills trainings for better job prospects and enhanced income opportunities. This approach will ensure that not only assistance is extended to the people whose livelihoods were impacted by the Pandemic adverse effects, but also give appropriate tools to make them better prepared and resilient to the future stresses. 

WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development will prioritize poor families who have lost their incomes and are forced to deplete family assets to meet their basic food needs and reduce expenses for other essential services.

“The Swiss Government and people of Switzerland are proud to stand together with Kyrgyzstan in supporting the most vulnerable people who are hit by the COVID-19 crises,” said Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic Véronique Hulmann. “Our partnership with WFP will support poorest families to sustain their livelihood through these difficult times.” 

“Thanks to the generous contribution from the Government of Switzerland, WFP is able to provide cash assistance to food insecure people in the urban and semi-urban areas giving them the freedom of choice with the added value of creating demand in the local markets” - remarked Andrea Bagnoli, WFP Country Director for the Kyrgyz Republic.

In April 2020, as an immediate response, Switzerland through WFP had already allocated CHF 200’000 to support social inpatient institutions and boarding schools across the country, benefiting more than 3’000 people (orphans, elderly and people with disabilities) for three months.