The document summarizes a socio-economic development project for communities near radioactive sites in Kyrgyzstan. The project aims to support sustainable development in the communities of Ak-Tyuz, Orlovka, Min-Kush, and Kadji-Sai by rehabilitating infrastructure and fostering income-generating activities. It will create an environmental monitoring system, rehabilitate roads, housing and other infrastructure, support small businesses and farming, and build capacity of local authorities. The $1.5 million project is funded by Russia and will be implemented over 2 years through cooperation with local communities, authorities, and other partners.

1. Socio-economic development of communities around
radioactive sites in Kyrgyzstan
Presentation of the project in Kemin town
with participation of community representatives
of Ak-Tyuz and Orlovka
April 29, 2015
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2. Location of radioactive sites
(according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Kyrgyz Republic)
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Radioactive waste disposal sites
Toxic waste disposal sites
Potential contamination area
Ak-Tyuz
Thorium
4 tailings
Concentrating mill
Active period 1942-1995
Min-Kush
Uranium
4 tailings
4 dumps, shops, ore
stockpiles, mines
Active period 1955-1969
Kadji-Sai
Uranium
1 tailing
dumps, mines, plant
Active period 1949-1967
Orlovka
Thorium
Bordu tailing,
technological maps
Active period 1953-1994

3. Project priority: supporting sustainable development of
local communities around uranium tailings
 UN General Assembly Resolution “The role of the
international community in the prevention of the
radiation threat in Central Asia” (December 20, 2013);
 Strategic Action Plan of the CGULS Coordination Group,
2013;
 International Conference “Uranium tailings in Central Asia:
Joint efforts to reduce risks”, Bishkek, October 24-25,
2012;
 International High Level Forum “Uranium tailings in
Central Asia: Local problems, regional consequences,
global solution”, Geneva, June 2009;
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4. The project developed based on the following:
The National Strategy for Sustainable Development of
the Kyrgyz Republic in the period of 2013-2017;
Programmes and Action Plans of the Ministry of
Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Interstate Special Programme ‘Remediation of
EurAsEC Member State Territories Affected by
Uranium Mining Industries” for 2013-2018;
Regional and local development plans, needs of
target communities;
Experience from area-based development projects of
UNDP
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5. Brief information about the project
Project budget – USD 1.5 million;
Donor – Russian Federation;
Duration – 2 years;
Project objective – creating environment for
sustainable human development in Min-Kush,
Ak-Tyuz, Kadji-Sai, and Orlovka through
rehabilitation of socio-economic infrastructure
and fostering income-generating activities;
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6. Target local communities
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7. Challenges of target local communities around
uranium tailings (1)
radioactive pollution (non-rehabilitated
dumps, problems with maintenance of
tailings, closed and suspended mines);
difficult ecological conditions and lack of
reliable information on background radiation;
lack of information on quality and usability of
water for drinking and household needs; lack
of access to drinking water;
threats to public health;
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8. Challenges of target local communities around
uranium tailings (2)
 common challenges of communities:
- decline in living standards and quality of life;
- high level of unemployment and migration of youth
to large cities;
- old and unusable infrastructure (power supply
network, water supply and sanitation infrastructure, roads);
- aging housing stock;
 predominance of subsistence production and limited
opportunities for business expansion;
 lack of access to financial resources for enterprise
development, difficulties in receiving loans
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9. Major components of the project
1. Increasing awareness of local population and
creating a system of regular environmental
monitoring;
2. Rehabilitating the social and economic
infrastructure and developing income-
generating activities;
3. Supporting local initiatives through small
grants/investment fund;
4. Capacity building of local authorities and
communities
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10. Component 1. Increasing awareness of local
population and creating a system of regular
environmental monitoring
feasibility study and establishing the comprehensive
system for risk assessment and monitoring;
capacity building of local authorities in risk
assessment and monitoring of hazards;
improve public awareness on hazards;
creating rapid response forces and local early
warning systems at the community level
Partners: Ministry of Emergency Situations of the
Kyrgyz Republic , Ministry of Emergency Situations of
the Russian Federation, State Corporation «Rosatom»,
IAEA, local authorities and communities, mass media
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11. Component 2. Rehabilitating the social and
economic infrastructure and developing
income-generating activities
rehabilitation of public infrastructure (roads,
houses, social facilities, sewage and power
supply system);
provision of access to clean water;
development of small business and farming
targeting local needs;
development of entrepreneurship oriented on
producing goods and services for larger markets
Partners: local authorities and communities,
entrepreneurs and farmers, NGOs
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12. Component 3. Supporting local initiatives through
small grants/investment fund
 Small grants/investment fund will:
a) supplement resources of local budgets allocated for
development projects (socio-economic infrastructure);
b) support projects of entrepreneurs/farmers in:
- increasing agricultural productivity and processing of
agricultural products;
- procurement of advanced low-power equipment
including alternative sources of power;
- creating start-up capital for small business
Partners: local authorities and communities, entrepreneurs
and farmers, local people
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13. Component 4. Capacity building of local
authorities and communities
Improving partnership of local authorities, local
communities, entrepreneurs, and NGOs:
- joint identification of priorities, design and
implementation of development plans;
- joint implementation of projects focusing
on improving living standards and quality of life
Partners: local authorities and communities,
entrepreneurs and farmers, local people, NGOs
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14. Synergy of cooperation in the interest of people
and for sustainable development
secure conservation, remediation, and
rehabilitation of tailings;
socio-economic development, health
protection, improving living standards and
raising awareness of local communities living
next to tailings and hazardous sites;
Improvement of coordination
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15. Благодарю за внимание!
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