|
|
| • Home • About Fund • Partners • Contact Info • Fund's Programs | |
The Community Development Support Program in the Russian Federation. Round 4
Project Complex
Public Participation in Rural Development
Grant amount $68 000 Grantee contribution $127 760 Total cost $195 760
Thematic projects included in the Project Complex:
- Introduction of innovative mechanisms promoting sustainable economic development in settlements of Vyazemsky Municipality through the development of agricultural production
- Village Fireworks (involving community activists and youth in rural cultural activities)
- Installation of energy-saving equipment at water inlets in 9 settlements of Vyazemsky Municipality
Municipality Profile:
Vyazemsky Raion in Khabarovsk Krai with a population of 6,400 is situated in the south of Khabarovsk Krai along the Ussuri River. The best arable land in the region and the local “mushroom belt” (boletus and milk agaric) are located on the banks of this river, making agriculture a profitable business. Previously, when several divisions of large state farms operated in this raion and feed crops were grown and animal husbandry was well-developed, this municipality supplied agricultural produce to all of Khabarovsk Krai. However, after the state farms closed, the local residents were left without jobs, the plough land is uncared for and community members stopped running individual farms because fodder is no longer locally grown, while the one brought from other places is too expensive.
Community problems addressed by the Project Complex:
Rural municipalities are traditionally characterized by a low level of management. The heads of these municipalities often keep their posts for decades because there is no one better to replace them. Active community members leave because of unemployment. The Project Complex promotes the creation of permanent and seasonal jobs. It also offered activists an opportunity to realize their creative potentials by becoming involved in community development plans. The energy-efficiency project addresses the issue of unstable water supply to settlements and also facilitates rural economic development.
Synergetic effect of the Project Complex:
The Project Complex promoted rural community development in four areas:
- Revival of rural microeconomics, inlcuding the development of cattle breeding and vegetable growing through involving community members in agricultural partnerships and cooperatives.
- Enhancing the general cultural level in the community, involving youth into cultural events, and developing physical culture.
- Promoting the participation of local activists in the implementation of community development plans by forming and supporting initiative groups under the auspices of the head of the administration.
- Fulfilling an energy-efficiency plan that includes the installation of energy-saving equipment in local settlements.
The above directions are included in the 2007-2010 Social and Economic Development Plan of Vyazemsky Municipality.
Energy savings were reinvested into two different ways: first, in accordance with the Cooperative’s Charter with the participation of the rural initiative group of Avan Settlement and second, in accordance with Ordinance # 58 issued by the head of the municipality on June 2, 2008 “On the procedure of determining and using municipal budget savings on electricity and heat”.
The resolution on the targeted use of a certain percentage of the cooperative’s profit was passed by the initiative group of Avan Settlement. Profit received by community members from growing vegetables and collecting non-timber forest products increased their standard of living and motivated them to start private farms.
Project Complex contact:
Lubov Bevetskaya, head of the Department fro Economic Policy of Vyazemsky Municipal AdministrationContact information:
8 Kommunisticheskaya St., Vyazemsky, Vyazemsky Raion, Khabarovsk Krai 682950
Tel./fax 8(42153)-31636, e-mail: vzmadmecon@vzm.kht.ruOrganizations, members of the Project Consortium:
Title
Category
Profile
Avan Settlement Administration
municipal
Municipal governance
Vyazemsky Municipal Administration
municipal
Municipal governance
Spektr, a municipal unitary utilities and housing enterprise
municipal utilities service
Utilities and housing services
Duration (months)
10
Start date
01/09/ 2008
End date
30/06/2009
Project
Introduction of innovative mechanisms promoting sustainable economic development in settlements of Vyazemsky Municipality through the development of agricultural production
Organization:
Avan Settlement AdministrationType of organization: municipal
Start date September 1, 2008
End date June 30, 2009
Project summary:
This project changed the form of ownership of the former cheese dairy from regional to municipal; organized an initiative group and with its participation founded an agricultural consumer cooperative (specializing in vegetable growing and non-timber forest products); drew up a business plan of the cooperative that included signing contracts with community members for growing vegetables; established a network of points (in 4 settlements) for procuring non-timber forest products from the population; started the production and marketing of vegetables and non-timber forest products; conducted a contest for the best image of the brand Vyazemsky Product; and organized a vegetable fair as a promotional event for the new brand.
Location:
Avan Settlement (cooperative) and 3 settlements in Vyazemsky Raion (procurement points: Kotikovo, Krasitskoye and Sheremetevo settlements)Contact information:
10 Sadovaya St., Avan Settlement, Vyazemsky Raion, Khabarovsk Krai 682946
Tel. 8(42153)-44331, fax 8(42153) 44-3-19, e-mail: vzmadmecon@vzm.kht.ruProject coordinator:
Alexander Malakhov, head of Avan SettlementProject objectives:
Help increase the standard of living in the community through a revival of rural economic activities, inlcuding vegetable growing, on the basis of involving citizens into agricultural partnerships and cooperatives. Establish a network for setting up collective facilities for growing, processing and marketing vegetables and collecting and processing non-timber forest products – which resulted in the appearance of permanent and temporary jobs. Strengthen the image of Vyazemsky Raion as the largest vegetable-growing center of the region.
Final results:
- Registration of an agricultural processing cooperative that will include 5 permanent and nearly 100 seasonal jobs (collectors of non-timber forest products and owners of private farms contracted to supply their produce for processing and marketing);
- Establishment of four points for procuring non-timber forest products and two points for procuring vegetables;
- A Vyazemsky Product brand were developed and promoted as a supplier of organic products;
- The delivery to farmers’ markets in Vyazemsky and Khabarovsk of at least 5 tons of non-timber forest products and at least 10 tons of pickled vegetables a year.
Total project cost $67 000
Own contribution $42 000
Received amount $25 000
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project
Village Fireworks (involving community activists and youth in rural cultural activities)
Organization:
Vyazemsky Municipal AdministrationType of organization: government
Start date September 1, 2008
End date June 30, 2009
Project summary:
This project organized two contests of rural social projects that have become traditional events. These contests helped involve citizens and businesses into community economic development and self-management. Residents of settlements took an active part in decision-making regarding the cultural development of their communities. A special body – Alliance of Initiative Groups - was formed under the auspices of the head of the municipal administration.
Location:
Settlements Avan, Venukovo, Glebovo, Zabaikalskoye, Kapitonovka, Krastiskoye, Kukelevo, Otradnoye, Sheremetevo, Kotikovo, Kedrovo, Vidnoye, Vinogradovka and Sadovoye (total number of residents – 6,000).Contact information:
8 Kommunisticheskaya St., Vyazemsky, Vyazemsky Raion, Khabarovsk Krai 682950
Tel. 8(42153)-33297, fax 8(42153)-33707.Project coordinator:
Galina Avdushina, lead specialties of the Department for Youth Policy, Culture and SportsProject objectives:
The project involved the residents of other settlements (there are 17 settlements in this raion) into the process of community cultural development and into sports and culture events that help bring community members together. This made rural life more interesting and give community members and, especially, youth an opportunity of self-realization.
Final results:
- Organizing the work of the Alliance of Village Initiative Groups at the head of the local administration;
- Preparing and equipping premises for conducting mass cultural events;
- The Village Fireworks Forum was held that was attended by over 100 community members from five settlements and representatives of local businesses and NGOs;
- At the Forum a contest of rural social projects (funded by the municipality) was held for 14 initiative groups which presented their projects funded by the Applicant;
- At least 200 citizens acquired experience in project activities that they may realize in the future.
Total project cost $63 000
Own contribution $43 000
Received amount $20 000
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project
Installation of energy-saving equipment at water inlets in 9 settlements of Vyazemsky Municipality
Organization:
Spektr, a municipal unitary utilities and housing enterpriseType of organization: municipal
Start date September 1, 2008
End date February 28, 2009
Project summary:
This project replaced the old immersed pumps and additional equipment at water inlets in 9 settlements (Avan, Venukovo, Glebovo, Zabaikalskoye, Kapitonovka, Krasitskoye, Sheremetevo, Kedrovo, and Sadovoye) with the energy-efficient ones and partially replaced the water distribution system and water hydrants.
Location:
The settlements of Avan, Venukovo, Glebovo, Zabaikalskoye, Kapitonovka, Krastiskoye, Sheremetevo, Kedrovo, and Sadovoye with a total population of 4,500 people.Contact information:
7 Zheleznodorozhnaya St., Dormidontovka Settlement, Vyazemsky Raion, Khabarovsk Krai 682965,
Tel/fax 8(42153)-45236, e-mail: GKHSPEKTR@rambler.ruProject coordinator:
Vladimir Pikaluk, director of Spektr, a municipal unitary utilities and housing enterprise.Project objectives:
Stopping excess power consumption caused by the ineffective operation of existing immersed pumps in the settlements of Avan, Venukovo, Glebovo, Zabaikalskoye, Kapitonovka, Krasitskoye, Sheremetevo, Kedrovo, and Sadovoye. Reducing irregularities in the water supply system caused mainly by the obsolete equipment and networks (60%). Increasing the quality of utilities services.
Final results:
- Installing 10 immersed pumps and 9 new water hydrants and repairing 220 m of the water distribution system. An additional circulator was installed at the cost of savings;
- A 39% reduction of power consumption (140,100 kW/H or 343,000 rubles) and an 8% reduction of the prime cost of 1 cubic m of water, which resulted in lower tariffs for the population starting from 2010;
- In 2009 and 2010, savings were used for an overall repair of the water supply system in an apartment building in one of the settlements of the raion.
Total project cost $65 760
Own contribution $42 760
Received amount $23 000
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________