The Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities

Who we are The Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA) is a voluntary association of mountain communities of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. AGOCA structure Members of AGOCA are Territorial Public Self-Governances (TPS) registered in each community- member. At present AGOCA unites 42 members: 20 in Kyrgyzstan, 15 in Tajikistan and 7 in Kazakhstan. Board of Management consists of the President, Vice President and Board of Management member represented by villagers from 3 countries. Revision Commission is also represented by 3 people – 1 per country. AGOCA is a member of the CAMP partnership network. Representatives of CAMP Alatoo in Kyrgyzstan, CAMP-Consulting in Kazakhstan and CAMP Kuhiston in Tajikistan provide coordination and technical support in three countries to AGOCA members. Overall goal AGOCA goal is to assist the sustainable development of Central Asian mountain regions and, thereby contribute to improving the living standards of the local population. Approach At local level TPS is a new structure, which promotes the sustainable development as a complex for the whole community and establishes partnership with local governance bodies. AGOCA is united and managed by representatives of the mountain population with the support of experts from CAMP agencies. Focus 1. Experience exchange by the means of: - experience exchange visits on mountain products development, energy saving, community mobilization, etc. at national and regional level (annual conferences) - information distribution (booklets, White Book (collection of successful projects realized at village level), annual activity reports, contributions to CAMP network newsletter). 2. Promotion of local communities’ interests: - mobilizing the population for different activities for sustainable development at local level in cooperation with partners, rural expertise - implementing projects in mountain communities in collaboration with local authorities - attracting Government attention to mountain development issues during annual regional conferences Work effects - social (awareness building of local population by strengthening rural organisations (TPS) and their participation in decision making process through cooperation with local governance bodies. - economic (increasing income by means of skills and knowledge gained as a result of experience exchange) - ecological (implementation partnership projects at local level on the sustainable use of natural resources) • Enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between rural inhabitants of Central Asia