DUSHANBE, April 19, Asia-Plus -- Switzerland and the government of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (Gorno Badakhshan or GBAO), Tajikistan have signed agreements on extension of the Pamir High Mountain Integrated Program and Local Self-Governance Project in southeast and east Tajikistan for a total amount of 1, 083,000 US dollars. 

According to the Swiss Cooperation Office (SDC) in Tajikistan, Rudolf Schoch, SDC Country Director, and Qodir Qosimov, Chairman of Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, inked the agreements in Khorog today.     

The overall goal of both – Pamir High Mountain Integrated Program as well as the Local Self-Governance projects is to contribute to poverty reduction through sustainable improvements in rural livelihoods in mountainous areas and promotion of local governance in Tajikistan.  The projects work in Gorno Badakhshan, Rasht Valley, and selected districts of Khatlon province (Shuroobod, Khovaling, and Mouminobod), particularly with the civil society, local communities, and local governments.

The Swiss allocations amount to $600,000 for the Pamir High Mountain Integrated Program implemented by ACTED - a French NGO and $483,000 for the Local Self-Governance Project implemented by Aga Khan Foundation in the southeast and east Tajikistan.

Switzerland started to fund Pamir High Mountain Integrated Program as well as the Local Self Governance Project in 1999.  Since then, both projects went through external reviews, which considered the results effective.  Based on these recommendations the Government of Switzerland agreed to extend its funding until December 2007 for Pamir High Mountain Integrated Program and until June 2008 for Local Self-Governance Project in southeast and east Tajikistan.