Resulting active participation in the projects of the Social Initiatives Support Fund more than 25000 citizens of Uzbekistan, who are in need, have been able to improve their living conditions and gain useful information and skills.
Social Initiatives Support Fund conducted Annual Conference devoted to the results of its activity in the year 2007. The Conference was held on December 18th 2007 at RADISSON SAS Hotel in Tashkent city and started at 11 am. Representatives of NGOs, government and businesses as well as international organizations and diplomatic missions participated in the event.
The participants exchanged opinions regarding the implementation of the Fund`s activities in 2007 and discussed further actions to support sustainable development of the SISF projects in 2008.
SISF is the nongovernmental noncommercial organization established in October 2006. The goal of the Fund is to consolidate efforts of active Civil Society members in the Republic of Uzbekistan for improving the quality of life of citizens who need social support. The main objectives of the Fund are development and implementation of national social programs in cooperation with partners, fundraising from local and international donors for implementation of social programs and projects, funding social programs and projects in the form of grants, where main areas of activities are focused on healthcare, education, social infrastructure, environment and provision of support for people in need.
SISF had become a participant of the state program "The Year of Social Support in Uzbekistan" in 2007 and had successfully implemented several projects throughout the country in cooperation with the partners. Important to mention that it was the first time when NGO took part in designing and implementing the State program not as the observer, but as the partner. This is an essential indicator of democratization of the society, considering the fact that NGOs are representing opinions of the various social groups.
Currently SISF have implemented several projects in all five areas of activity on the national level. For example, project on medical education of reproductive age women and primary school age children on anemia, endemic goiter, hygiene and sanitary through series of seminars and consultations was implemented with participation of 12697 people. This project was implemented in Andijan, Namangan and Fergana regions. Within the frames of the project on prevention of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse among youth the social action under "We Are For Healthy Life-style, We Don`t Have Time for Other Things!" slogan was held at the Park named after Babur in Tashkent. According to the results of this event, participants became acquainted with HIV/AIDS and methods of infection.
Another pilot project was implemented in Navoi, Termez, Karshi, Djizzak, Samarkand and Kokand cities on introduction of inclusive education at schools and kindergartens. So far, 40 disabled children are studying in these kindergartens and schools along with their counterparts. Moreover, a team of 18 trainers-consultants was established to carry out seminars and consultations with the children, their parents and teachers for further integration of disabled children into society.
The project on provision of micro-credits for women-farmers was implemented in 7 regions of Uzbekistan. As the result, women-farmers, granted with the microcredits, created new jobs, and they took opportunity to determine new directions for their own business activity. The farm "Khabibov Orif Boglari" from Samarkand region has even increased its machinery park. In this case, the cost of tractor was counted in the business plan in addition to investing own shares.
Inhabitants of Uchsay village of Muynak district of Karakalpakstan received permanent access to clean water. Within the project framework, the water pipe-line with a length of 6,5 km was constructed from Muynak city to the Uchsay village.
The most active participants in the Fund`s projects were invited to the Awards Ceremony that was held following the Conference.