“Democracy and Religion – dialogue between Equal and Moderate Voices (DREAM)”

Contracting Authority:

European Commission/ How do we want to live? Religion and Democracy

Budget line(s): 19.020200

Reference: EuropeAid/152401/DD/ACT/KG

Project number: ICSP/2016/381-792

Donor of the project:Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic (80%)

Name of the lead applicant

Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association / (DVV International – IIZ/DVV)

Co-applicant-1

Crisis Simulation for Peace e.V (CRISP), Berlin, Germany

Co-applicant-2

Public Association “Youth of Osh”, Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Co-applicant -3

Institute for Youth Development, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Contacts:

Nadezhda Romanenko, DVV International Representative Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, National Team Leader, Project Coordinator

E: romanenko@dvv-international.kg

Tel: +996 312 323 901, 0558 858758

-Abdraimova Asel - Regional Project Coordinator / Osh.

E: as.osh.youth@gmail.com

-Kasmalieva Azhara Regional project coordinator / Bishkek.

E: akasmalieva@jashtar.org

Objectives of the action

Overall objective: To foster a cohesive, democratic society in Kyrgyzstan through involving and capacitating various stakeholders, especially youth actors, in the prevention of radicalisation and the mitigation of existing tensions.

Specific objectives:

1. Capacities for peaceful intercultural and inter-religious dialogue on National and Regional levels enhanced through sustainable platforms and tools;
2.  Community potential to resist radicalisation, extremism, and violence strengthened;
3. Resilience against extremist tendencies of young people in particular strengthened.

Target group(s)

Direct target groups, amounting to approx. 1.300 persons  in 14 project locations:

20 Media school participants from partner National, Regional TV and information agencies, 80 senior schoolchildren - participants of TV intellectual games, 750 persons from diverse society groups - participants of TV talk shows, 17 Multiplicators in community security dialogue, 70 Youth Councils members of Local Crime Prevention Centers, 360 youth initiative groups participants. Approx. 4.500 senior schoolchildren, parents and teachers -spectators of interactive performances, 130 participants of Youth Forums + approx. 30 experts, 700 participants of community meetings. Two youth NGOs as beneficiaries will strengthen their capacity to implement country-wide innovative religion related projects.

Final beneficiaries

Broader representatives of religious and ethnic groups including their formal and non-formal leaders. Population of 14 locations of all the 7 regions of Kyrgyzstan will benefit from decrease of conflict potential and inter-religion tensions.

Main activities

1.1. Media school for selected partner media on accurate, impartial, and responsible broadcasting on religion-related issues; 1.2. Broadcasting of talk shows “Free dialogue” for National and Regional TVs; 1.3. TV educational- intellectual game for senior schoolchildren “History of religious culture”; 1.4. Radio programme “Questions and Answers”; 1.5. National round table “Role of media in broadcasting on religion-related issues”; 1.6. Project Closing Conference.

2.1. Training for Multiplicators in community security dialogue; 2.2 Introduction workshops for Youth Councils; 2.3. Start up of initiatives workshop with a Round Table-presentation; 2.4.  Implementation of initiatives; 2.5. Evaluation of local initiatives and further planning workshop; 2.6. Community meetings; 2.7. National Forum “Youth Councils in action for community security dialogue”.

3.1. Recruitment of youth initiative groups; 3.2. Introduction workshops for youth initiative groups; 3.3. Collection of real stories and publication of “History and Identity: youth, religion and democracy” book; 3.4. Staging of real stories from the collection/story book “History and identity: youth, religion and democracy”; 3.5. Production of media products by youth media initiative groups, broadcasting, distribution, posting in social networks; 3.6. Mobile interactive performances “History and identity: youth, religion and democracy” in 70 schools; 3.7. National Youth Forum “History and identity: youth, religion and democracy.

Results:

- A variety of discussion platforms on freedom of religion and diversity were initiated and expanded, encompassing various community groups;

- The professionalism of the media in covering sensitive issues has been strengthened;

- Young people from urban and rural areas are entitled to an active life position, citizenship and stability against extremist ideology.