DUSHANBE, February 23, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Wednesday February 23, Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Ms. Gulnora Tayghunshoyeva, head of Zong jamoat (community) in Ishkashim district Gorno Badakhshan  signed a grant contract for “Project for Rehabilitation of Community Center in Zong Jamoat, Ishkashim District”.

According to the Japanese Embassy, the Government of Japan will support rehabilitation of community center in Zong jamoat of Ishkashim district for the total amount of US$105,811 in the framework of Japanese Grant Assistance for the Grass–roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The Zong jamoat with the population of 5,700 people is located in the mountainous area isolated from any economic and industrial center.  The jamoat center was constructed in 1980 and has taken a role to provide opportunity for job training as well as social involvement to local population. However, without main rehabilitation work so far, the center is at risk of collapse, therefore, people can not use the center at all.

Through the project, the building of the center will be rehabilitated, so the safe and comfortable space will be prepared. In the center, more than 3,000 local people are expected to have opportunity for job training such as sewing, handicraft, computer classes as well as consultation session on legal issues with specialists.  These activities will encourage local people’s active involvement into the society while enhance people’s ability and income generation opportunity.  Consequently, the community development in the Zong jamoat and poverty reduction will be promoted.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/ medical institutions and International NGOs in developing countries.  GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than US$ 18.9 million for 263 projects in Tajikistan since 1996.