Implementation period: 
May 2020 - March 2023

Project goal
Strengthening of multilateral cross-border dialogue and cooperation between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in order to promote tolerance and mutual understanding and prevent radicalization, increase awareness of the population of the region about the causes of interethnic conflicts, create opportunities for local civil society institutions, in particular, youth initiatives to become participants in a transboundary dialogue.

Partners

European Union, Representative Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia, Ecological Movement "BIOM" (Kyrgyzstan), NGO "Gender and Development" (Tajikistan).

Target audience
At least 1,500 young people in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, including 1,000 people living in the Ferghana Valley, 200 employees of higher education institutions of a pedagogical profile, city / regional departments of education, centers / institutes for advanced training and teachers;

at least 6 local communities in the border regions: 200 local and national decision and policy makers, 40 religious leaders, 50 local law enforcement inspectors, 200 representatives of youth civil society and civil society organizations, and media representatives.

Anticipated outcomes
Conducting a series of studies aimed at identifying and analyzing the causes of interethnic conflicts in the regions, in particular, among the youth, the social problems faced by the population, as well as the factors that exclude young people from socio-economic life in the border regions;

creation of tolerance centers in three pedagogical universities in the border regions of the target countries;

holding a two-day international forum of youth initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainability of the pilot communities.

What has been done:

-    On February 9, 2021, the Center for Friendship, Interethnic Accord and Tolerance was opened at Fergana State University. It has become a methodological and educational platform for various events to develop the transboundary capacity of the Fergana Valley and dialogue, promote technologies for creating a discussion environment, and enhance the skills of the specialists involved.
- A cycle of online and offline events was held for youth, mahalla activists, and experts. 
- 10 debate tournaments and 10 discussions were held with the participation of the youth of the university
- A media strategy was developed and an international forum was held on "Consolidation of actions of state structures, media and civil society of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to strengthen friendship, interethnic harmony and tolerance, to form a zero tolerance towards extremism leading to radicalization, conflicts and terrorism"
- A training for trainers was held in Almaty to promote good neighborliness, tolerance and peacebuilding in local communities
- A guide for journalists in the border areas was developed and a three-day training was held on "Building the capacity of journalists and bloggers to strengthen friendship and tolerance in counteracting radicalization, conflicts and terrorism"
- 2 mahallas were selected in the Ferghana Valley (in the border areas) for the implementation of the "Local Tolerance Program" (which will include consultations with experts and the issuance of sub-grants)