Economic Growth:  USAID promotes economic policy reforms to strengthen fiscal management, decentralization, and efficient tax administration (Bearing Point). To reduce regulatory and administrative constraints for SMEs, USAID facilitates dialogue between the government and the private sector, streamlines legislation, and improves implementation of laws and regulations (Pragma Corporation). To expand regional trade, USAID supports the country’s WTO-compliance process, focusing on reduction of trade barriers and increased access to market information within and beyond Central Asia (AECOM). USAID also supports the development of regional electricity markets and management reform for the country’s electricity system by establishing transparent and cost-of-service tariffs, reducing losses, developing a truly independent regulatory body (US Energy Association), as well as by facilitating the Government of Kyrgyzstan participation in regional electricity market initiatives (PA Consulting).

The association of microfinance institutions receives assistance to improve the legal environment for lending, while the individual microfinance institutions - to expand agricultural lending. Additionally, the USAID-sponsored wholesale lending company Frontiers promotes access to wholesale loan funds (ACDI/VOCA). In support of land market development, USAID helps streamline land legislation, assists farmers in leasing, buying, and selling land, and facilitates the reform of state-owned land management (Chemonics). Trade association activities and public/private agribusiness partnerships are improving agricultural practices and access to agricultural inputs (IFDC). Farmers receive support to improve agricultural production and management of the irrigation networks and on-farm water (Winrock International).

Investing in People: To increase utilization and quality of primary health care services, USAID helps the Kyrgyz Government implement the National Health Reform Program, Manas Taalimi. Parallel funding supports the first Donor Sector-Wide Approach Program (SWAP) in the region. Health providers are trained on antenatal care, newborn care, and integrated management of childhood illnesses. Assistance is provided in developing national guidelines on infection prevention, implementation of the internationally recommended tuberculosis (TB) control strategy DOTS; strengthening of surveillance systems, laboratory quality, and rational drug management for TB control; and development of treatment models for multi-drug resistant TB. USAID also helps implement grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria; and builds the capacity of local NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS. Yet another program facilitates the Kyrgyz Government efforts to combat avian influenza. Principal implementers: Abt Associates, John Snow Inc., Project Hope, Winrock International.

To improve education at the primary and secondary school levels, USAID trains teachers to promote critical thinking and active learning;builds management skills for administrators, and supports education finance reform (Creative Associates). The USAID-funded Kyrgyz National Scholarship Test provides a fair opportunity for school graduates to receive state grants for higher education (CEATM).

Governing Justly and Democratically: USAID provides technical assistance and training to improve local governance (Urban Institute).Through grants for PACT, Internews, NDI, IRI, and Freedom House, USAID supports initiatives that strengthen civil society, the media, political parties, and human rights organizations. The Central Election Commission receives technical assistance (IFES), while madrassa and secular students receive classes on the rule of law (ABA/ROLI). USAID also works with seven clusters of local communities to helps form local economic development councils, create youth employment, and build the skills of local governments, community organizations, and businesses (Mercy Corps). Through Eurasia Foundation, USAID provides small grants to NGOs to strengthen private enterprise, civil society, public administration,and education. Professionals from various sectors receive training in the United States (ACCELS). USAID also oversees implementation of assistance for the Kyrgyz Republic’s Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program that aims to develop an effective, fair judicial system; improve the transparency of law enforcement; and increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.