CAREC press release 09/10/2008, Almaty A drop of water is a grain of gold During 2003-2007, more than 7000 representatives of rural population of Almaty oblast were provided with an access to clean drinking water. Central Asian Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC) with financial support from Norway Government has started implementation of the third phase of the “Financial Programme – Clean Water for Rural Settlements” project. The overall goal of the third project phase is dissemination of main outcomes as well as lessons learnt and approbated methodology to local authorities in charge of implementation of complex, regional and oblast “Drinking Waters” programmes. The programme was started by CAREC in August, 2003 in order to support implementation of “Drinking Waters” sectoral programme of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2002-2010. The main goals of the programme are: • Increase of community access in rural areas to clean drinking water; • Organization of local self-governance, institutions and systems required for permanent and self-supporting access to clean drinking water; • Improvement of public understanding of environmental, social and economic benefits of maintenance of sustainable systems for provision with clean drinking; • Strengthening of public participation (community based approach) in decision making, management and handling of water supply systems; • Maximization of profits of water users cooperatives for maintenance, management and handling of water supply systems During implementation of the third phase of the project it is planned to provide another 3000 villagers in Kazakhstan with an access to clean drinking water. In order to achieve the set up goal, CAREC in partnership with the Water Resources Committee of the MAC RK and members of the Eco-Forum of Kazakhstan is planning conduction of 14 conferences on oblast akimat levels in Kazakhstan. Time frames of the events: 2008-2009. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For further information and cooperation opportunities please contact: Mr. Alexander Nikolayenko, CAREC Water Initiatives Support Programme Manager, ANikolayenko@carec.kz Ms. Gulzhamal Issayeva, CAREC Project Manager, GIssaeva@carec.kz Tel: +7 727 2785110, 2292619 Fax: +7 727 2705337