Goal: Sustainable communities built through improvement of socio-economic conditions and realization of community potential
AC started its community development program intervention yet in 1998, when the Organization understood the necessity of sustainable investments not only into the improvement of infrastructures, but also in mentality change of people. Inherited from the Soviet era, the mentality of people had to shift from the demanding character of consumer to initiator and participant of change in one’s own life and community. Almost 20 years have passed since the first steps in community mobilization. AC adapted its methodology of work and utilized tools according to the demand of the times and the growth of own capacities.
Nowadays, community development remains one of the key involvement areas for the Organization. Further improvements in this field are foreseen through the complex approach of boosting of entrepreneurial activities and entrepreneurship skills of private owners at local level, improvement of community governance mechanisms through active participation of civil society and investments in capacity of local communities to provide basic public services.
One of the important aspects we tackle through programs is increasing citizen participation in decision-making and raising civic voice for more effective governance. Establishment of local civil society organizations is one of the pre-requisites to invest in active civil society and mobilization of vibrant youth. We will continue to support these CSOs to diversify their funding opportunities and create platforms for their members and other community people to monitor public services and governance mechanisms for the benefit of their communities.