DVV International: Inclusion

INCLUSION: Dialogues for Inclusive Education and Employment Practices

DVV International in Kyrgyzstan, with the support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in cooperation with the Association for the Development of Education in Kyrgyzstan (ADE) and with the active participation of the Kyrgyz Association of Adult Education (KAAE) and the National Network “Zhanyryk,” is implementing the project INCLUSION: Dialogues for Inclusive Education and Employment Practices.

The project aims to promote inclusive education and employment practices in the Kyrgyz Republic. It strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and fosters dialogue between CSOs, public authorities, and other stakeholders to improve access to education and employment opportunities for vulnerable population groups.

Project donor: Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic (95%); contribution from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – 5%.

Project goal:

To strengthen the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in delivering high-quality, accessible, and inclusive services in the fields of education and employment for vulnerable adults and youth.

Project Objectives:

To strengthen the capacity of CSOs to analyze the needs of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, in order to contribute to the improvement of framework conditions in the fields of education and employment.
To enhance the role and capacity of CSOs in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue and promoting improvements in education and employment conditions.
To expand the contribution of CSOs to providing accessible and inclusive educational services and employment opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Planned activities:

Component 1. CSO Capacity Building:

An introductory planning workshop on the System Building Approach for members of three civil society networks;
Organization of 30 regional and national meetings to establish Peer Assessment Teams;
A series of 16 multi-stakeholder dialogue workshops to develop an implementation plan for the system analysis;
Conducting 4 training sessions for Peer Assessment Teams on the System Building Approach;
Assessment at regional and national levels of the status and framework conditions of education and employment systems for vulnerable adults and youth;
Preparation of regional and national analytical reports.

Component 2: Enhancement of CSO role and capacity for facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues

8 presentation and planning workshops to share analysis results and plan cooperation between CSOs and public authorities to improve framework conditions;
Two training sessions and consultations for members and leaders of three CSO networks to strengthen dialogue facilitation skills;
28 two-day meetings of the Local Social Partners Councils (LSPCs), including a training component to enhance cooperation between CSOs, public institutions, and businesses;
Four one-day meetings of the National Coordination Council on Disability, including a training component to promote inclusive education and improve framework conditions for persons with disabilities;
Establishment and support of 2 expert groups to develop recommendations for improving framework conditions for inclusive education and employment services for vulnerable adults and youth;
A National Forum on cooperation between CSOs and public authorities to improve educational opportunities for vulnerable groups and develop recommendations;
Development and publication of a Guide for CSOs on strengthening social partnership in non-formal education and enhancing multi-stakeholder cooperation.

Component 3: CSOs’ contribution to the delivery of quality public services

A five-day study visit to Germany to explore best practices in state-CSO cooperation, social entrepreneurship, and inclusive education, followed by an online experience-sharing session;
Training sessions and consultations for project CSOs on the development of educational and social projects, budgets, and business plans;
Implementation of a Small Grants Program for 2 CSO networks to expand access to and outreach of education for vulnerable adults and youth - supporting 24 initiatives;
Innovation Fund: launch of 2 social enterprises for adults and youth with disabilities, supported by a business development coach;
A two-day National Forum-Festival on Inclusivity in Adult and Youth Education.

Geographical coverage: All 7 regions of Kyrgyzstan — Chuy, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Talas, and Batken.

Project duration: 24 months, from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2028.