▲ Fruit farmer who increased productivity of apples through KOICA s agricultural technology training and the installation of smart irrigation facilitiesIn a rural village in southern Kyrgyzstan without a kindergarten, the sound of children s laughter can now be heard. This is because a multipurpose Women s Center jointly operated by the village women has opened. This place not only provides childcare services for the village children but also serves as a community center where women and residents can pursue self-development through leisure activities and economic opportunities. Vegetables grown in home gardens provide food for families, and surplus harvests are stored in warehouses before being sold at the market. The changes centered around the multipurpose Women s Center are noticeably transforming the lives of the village residents.KOICA, in partnership with the international relief and development NGO Good Neighbors, is implementing the Integrated Rural Development Project(IRDP), targeting 85,000 residents in 30 rural villages in the Osh and Batken regions of southern Kyrgyzstan. The core of the project is an integrated approach that transforms all aspects of residents lives including education, livelihoods, gender, and governance rather than the typical infrastructure support or one-off training commonly provided in international development settings. For this project, a budget of over 10 billion won will be invested from 2021 to 2025, with cooperation from local residents, the government, international organizations, and local NGOs.From infrastructure to rights: an integrated strategy for transforming villagesThe most notable aspect of this project is the connection between different sectors. This is based on the analysis that, in order to transform the entire village system beyond simply improving facilities or providing technical training, diverse elements such as women s rights, local infrastructure, technical education, and governance are to be interconnected. For example, if villagers are facing issues with drinking water, the project goes beyond simply installing water pipes it also provides hygiene education and operates monitoring groups led by women leaders so that residents can manage the facilities themselves. Based on this approach, kitchen garden training was provided to enable the cultivation and sale of high-value vegetables in home gardens, and the system was designed to extend to joint storage and sales of the produce. Depending on the characteristics of each village, the types of crops grown, distribution channels, and infrastructure all differ. To this end, from the beginning of the project, surveys were conducted among residents, and expert consultations as well as one-on-one customized action plans were established.In the 30 target villages, basic living infrastructure and agricultural and livestock storage and distribution facilities were established, while multipurpose Women s Centers were also created. The Women s Centers are used as kindergartens, income-generating spaces, and venues for community meetings. They serve as hubs for childcare, women s empowerment, and income generation. One village resident said, At first, we needed a space for childcare, but now the women of the village are planning for their future at the center. A differentiated approach was also taken in the area of income generation. KOICA organized about 1,200 farming households into crop-specific production groups and established separate storage and distribution facilities to enhance their sales competitiveness. In addition, a revolving microloan fund involving 3,790 households was operated to help farming families build a foundation for self-reliance.▲ the multipurpose Women s Center that empowers local women and provides childcare for their children A governance experiment led by residents and joined by the government Another distinguishing feature of the project is its operational system based on resident participation and government cooperation. At the beginning of the project, KOICA organized village development committees in each village, enabling them to establish and implement their own development plans. The committees have become practical implementation bodies that lead the selection of village projects, maintenance, and the mobilization of external resources.As a result, village residents have also become active participants in decision-making. So far, about 300 village leaders have completed training each year (with a total of 600 graduates), and 30 women farmer groups have been formed. They are leading joint income-generating activities and the operation of village meetings.Cooperation with local governments was also achieved. KOICA invited 20 Kyrgyzstani government officials to Korea for training and practical field education, and jointly established a rural development coordination committee and implementation committee with the local Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate policy direction and implementation.One of the most significant achievements of the IRDP is the establishment of a digital rural advisory platform. Noting the shortcomings of the existing village-level agricultural information delivery system, the project collaborated with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture and local IT companies to develop a rural advisory platform. Through this platform, farmers can now access customized information necessary for farming, such as climate data, agricultural technologies, and pest and disease forecasts. In the long term, the platform is designed to be expandable so that it can be applied to the agricultural administration of the Kyrgyzstan government.▲ Kyrgyzstani government officials who visited Korea to learn agricultural policy and practical know-howLinking production, processing, distribution, and sales into a single flowOn the ground, various innovative elements and collaboration strategies also created synergy. A leading strategy is the establishment of fruit clusters. The project areas have an environment suitable for growing apples, apricots, and cherries, but due to a lack of processing, storage, and distribution systems, the commercial value of the produce was low. KOICA developed a cluster strategy that links production, processing, distribution, and sales into a single flow.Above all, agricultural technology training and the installation of smart irrigation systems were provided to farmers, while village-level cold storage and logistics facilities were also established. The Korea Rural Economic Institute also participated in the cluster strategy, providing economic analysis and policy advice. The focus was placed on designing a market foundation so that the local production-to-sales ecosystem can be sustained even after the project ends.As a result of this project, the productivity of apples, raspberries, cherries, apricots, and potatoes increased by an average of 15.6%. A fruit cluster master plan was established with the local government, and capacity building for rural development policies was also carried out. By the end of the project, the goal is to reduce the poverty rate in underdeveloped areas of Kyrgyzstan by about 5% to 77.9%.Meanwhile, two Aiyl Okmotus (rural municipalities) Zhoosh and Chon-Alai that participated in the IRDP were honored with first and third place, respectively, in the 2024 Kyrgyzstan Best Aiyl Okmotu (AO) contest. This contest is an annual event organized by the Kyrgyzstan government to select outstanding AOs nationwide, based on various criteria such as the level of autonomous village development and public administration capacity. Zhoosh ranked first by earning high marks among 235 AOs across the country, while Chon-Alai, located in one of the nation s isolated and underdeveloped regions, achieved the remarkable feat of placing third. The following are interview excerpts with the heads of Zhoosh and Chon-Alai. Q What do you think are the biggest changes in your Aiyl Okmotu (AO) and community through the IRDP, and the factors that made such changes possible?After the IRDP, there have been many changes in our AO. The two villages that always struggled with water supply are now receiving a stable supply of drinking water after the project. With the establishment of a health clinic, residents are also able to access basic medical services. With the construction of a new dairy processing plant and the use of funds that enabled small-scale farmers to purchase more cattle, household incomes have increased significantly. I believe these changes were possible thanks to the residents who tried to make the village a better place to live and the leaders they elected from among themselves. Q How do you think the experience you gained from participating in the IRDP can contribute to the future development of your AO and community?Through the remarkable changes in our AO after the project, we have gained confidence that, with our efforts, we can transform our AO and villages into much better places. As residents began to enjoy in their village the things they could previously only experience in the city, they became more actively involved in village affairs and grew to love their village even more. I believe this is one of the greatest achievements for our AO in this project. ▲ Residents of Zhoosh Aiyl Okmotu, Kyrgyzstan, working together burying water pipes Q In particular, how do you think women s lives have changed through the multipurpose Women s Center and basic infrastructure projects in the village, and what impact do you believe these changes have had on individuals and the community?With the establishment of the multipurpose Women s Center, gatherings among village women have become more frequent, and there has been a noticeable increase in cooperation among them. Additionally, some students are now studying English or Russian through the after-school programs at the multipurpose Women s Center, and some women are contributing to their household income by participating in agricultural training. This is leading to increased income for both the AO and the village. Q Your AO was awarded first place overall in the 2024 Best Aiyl Okmotu in Kyrgyzstan contest. What do you think is the reason your AO received this honor?The Best Aiyl Okmotu in Kyrgyzstan contest has been held annually since 2013 to encourage excellent local governments. The award criteria include various aspects such as the provision of basic services, the participation of residents in decision-making, and attracting external investments. I believe the main reasons our AO was able to win first place overall were the united efforts of the village leaders and the AO government, as well as proactive investments aimed at creating a better living environment and promoting long-term development. I also believe that KOICA and Good Neighbors played a significant role by supporting the resolution of water supply issues and the construction of the health clinic. Q If you have any words you d like to share with KOICA and Good Neighbors, who have supported rural development in your AO and worked as partners, please let us know.I sincerely thank them for their wholehearted support for our AO. I hope to continue working together on various projects in the future. Q What do you think are the biggest changes in your Aiyl Okmotu (AO) and community through the IRDP, and the factors that made such changes possible?Chon-Alai had been a rather barren AO, and until the IRDP, the quality of life for its residents was not high. However, through this project, a kindergarten was built, raising the educational level of the children, and in one village, a 5-kilometer-long irrigation canal was constructed, which improved agricultural efficiency. In addition, the chronic drinking water problem was resolved, and electric poles were installed throughout the villages, making the electricity supply much more stable. At the center of these changes were the leaders of each village. The villagers identified outstanding leaders, and the elected leaders devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the betterment of the village. Q How do you think the experience you gained from participating in the IRDP can contribute to the future development of your AO and community?Seed potatoes are the main crop in Chon-Alai. Through this project, a cooperative was formed, providing a foundation for the seed potato business to further develop. In fact, through the cooperative, farmers in our AO have exchanged knowledge with early potato-growing cooperatives from other regions and expanded the market for seed potatoes. I believe that, with the continued development of the seed potato business, the lives of the residents will become even more prosperous in the future. ▲ Women studying together at the multipurpose Women s Center in Chon-Alai, Kyrgyzstan Q In particular, how do you think women s lives have changed through the multipurpose Women s Center and basic infrastructure projects in the village, and what impact do you believe these changes have had on individuals and the community?It is no exaggeration to say that women are the central figures of the Village Development Committees and the multipurpose Women s Center, which play a very important role in the IRDP. In fact, 80% of the Village Development Committee members are women. In the past, women in this region had to leave for the city to find employment or receive an education, but now they can receive training and work at the multipurpose Women s Center, so they no longer have to leave the village. For example, women who received training through the Kitchen Garden Group established by this project are now cultivating organic vegetables in greenhouses, contributing to both their households and the village. Q Your AO ranked third place overall in the 2024 Best Aiyl Okmotu in Kyrgyzstan contest. What do you think is the reason your AO received this honor?The award evaluation criteria includes investment level, quality of education, environmental improvement, and infrastructure development, and without the support of KOICA and Good Neighbors, it would probably have been impossible to win the award. This is because KOICA and Good Neighbors provided significant support for major changes in the village, such as improving water and electricity supply, constructing a kindergarten and a multipurpose Women s Center, and building seed potato storage facilities. Q If you have any words you d like to share with KOICA and Good Neighbors, who have supported rural development in your AO and worked as partners, please let us know.I would like to express my sincere gratitude to KOICA and Good Neighbors. I was especially touched by their unwavering support and their commitment to building a great future for our village.

2025.08.28

▲ Nazgul Sharipova, Manager of KazAID, visited KOICA last April to learn about Korea s ODA projects. From a recipient country to a donor country. This is the first miracle achieved worldwide by Korea in the global Official Development Assistance (ODA) field. As emerging donor countries continue to appear one after another, the number of countries seeking to learn from Korea s experience is increasing. Kazakhstan is one of the most prominent emerging donors. We met Nazgul Sharipova, Manager of the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID), who visited Korea from April 13 to 22 to learn about Korea s ODA. Let s hear her story and aspiration to recreate Korea s miracle in Kazakhstan. Q Could you please introduce yourself?My name is Nazgul Sharipova, and I serve as the Manager of the Partnerships and Regional Projects Department at KazAID. I am responsible for cooperation in Europe and the Americas, as well as in Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, which are key partner countries for Kazakhstan. One of the flagship projects is the annual program called Dostyk: Digital Transformation, carried out in collaboration with the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), Nazarbayev University, and the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Dostyk means friendship in Kazakh, and this program invites government officials and public sector experts from all five Central Asian countries to share in Kazakhstan s and Singapore s experiences with digital transformation in the field of public administration.Starting this year, I am in charge of the Avicenna: Healthcare program. This program is conducted in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the National Astana Medical University of Kazakhstan to support medical students in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The program was named after Avicenna, a renowned medieval Persian physician who made major contributions to medicine, philosophy and science. Q Is this your first time visiting Korea? How did you feel when you learned about your assignment to Korea?This is actually my second time visiting Korea. My first visit was in December 2023, as part of the Busan Global Partnership Forum in Seoul. The event facilitated important discussions on sustainable development and partnerships in this field, while also bringing together stakeholders in the area of international development. This time, I am visiting Korea for my secondment at KOICA. The first thought that crossed my mind was that I was excited to learn about Korea s and KOICA s experience in ODA and implementing ODA projects. Despite having been a partner country in the past, Korea is now implementing various projects in its priority countries. Q What are your thoughts on being the first KazAID staff member assigned to KOICA?I was truly delighted when I heard about my first assignment to KOICA in Korea. It provides a valuable opportunity to learn about KOICA, and I will also be able to apply the insights I have gained while working at KazAID. I think this experience is a great opportunity to extend the partnership between our organizations and exchange knowledge and expertise. This is especially true considering KOICA s rich background and history in the field of ODA.▲ Nazgul Sharipova, the manager of KazAID, is posing in front of the KOICA headquarters building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. Q What comes to mind when you think of KOICA ?What comes to mind first is taking a photo with my colleagues at the KOICA headquarters during my first visit to Korea in 2023. Next is PeKO, the symbol of KOICA. I only recently learned about PeKO, but it gives a very welcoming and friendly impression. Q As an ODA expert from Kazakhstan, an emerging donor country, how do you view Korea s experience in development cooperation?development cooperation?Korea, like Kazakhstan, was once a recipient of aid and is now a donor country. This makes it incredibly valuable for us to learn from Korea s experience in the field of ODA, especially as part of South-South cooperation*.KazAID is a young organization, established in 2020. Each year, we grow and continue to expand the number of projects. This is why it is essential for us to gain more knowledge in project management processes in order to achieve better results and contribute to sustainable development more effectively.KOICA s experience is unique for us, as it not only engages partner countries but also involves Korean civil society and businesses in its projects. This approach not only fosters public-private partnership within Korea but also facilitates the sharing of Korean private sector technologies and expertise with other countries.*South-South cooperation: A concept different from the one involving the advanced countries of the Global North, referring to economic, technological, and political mutual cooperation among developing countries in the Global South. Q What areas of KOICA expertise or which KOICA systems can most significantly contribute to KazAID s development?I would appreciate if it KOICA could share know-how and systems related to the project planning processes particularly how responsibilities are distributed among team members, how to assess potential risks that may arise before, during, and after project implementation, as well as what aspects are considered to carry out evaluation and monitoring. Q What would you most like to learn during your time in Korea?I would like to learn more about the preparation steps of projects, as I find it extremely important to understand what elements you consider and how the processes work. If a project considers the needs of the partner country and is thoroughly planned, it already instills confidence in its effectiveness.Another aspect I am interested in is how KOICA ensures the effectiveness of the project results, as over time it can become challenging to maintain the original goals of the project.And finally, as a project manager at KazAID, I am highly enthusiastic about learning more about KOICA s activities and priorities in Central Asia, as this region is the main focus for our Agency. Q What cooperations have KazAID and KOICA worked on together? Also, what are the plans for the future?Since the establishment of our Agency, KazAID and KOICA have a consistent partnership. To lay the foundation for our collaboration, KazAID and KOICA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of ODA in 2021. In September 2024, we renewed the MoU to reaffirm our commitments.We have previously implemented joint activities under the 1st Action Plan, held meetings to explore partnership opportunities, as well as to share experiences in the field of ODA. Last year, we had a visit of the KOICA representatives in KazAID office.In 2025, within the iframework of the MoU, KazAID and KOICA signed the 2nd Action Plan to define joint priorities for 2025-2027. Our organization continue to cooperate in context of this document, with this secondment opportunity being one of the examples.For the past couple of years, we have been actively working on developing our Joint Fellowship Training Capacity Building on Digital Transformation and Cooperation for Central Asian countries (2025-2027) in the field of digitalization in public administration. The first component of the multiyear training will launch in August this year in Astana, Kazakhstan under KazAID s Dostyk: Digitalization programme. In 2026 and 2027, the participants will have a chance to continue their professional development in Korea. Our agencies invite government officials from Central Asia in the field of digitalization to share the experiences of Kazakhstan and Korea in this area. This multilateral programme is intended for the participants from all five Central Asian countries, namely: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.▲ Nazgul Sharipova, KazAID manager (third from the right), and KOICA staffs are chatting together during a break. Q Let me ask a lighter question. Is Korea well known in Kazakhstan?Of course. K-pop and K-dramas are very popular, and Korean food is especially well-loved. We have a lot of Korean food places in Kazakhstan, and I would say that we have ramyeon in almost every store. I personally love tteokbokki. Lately, I also see that Korean films are catching the interest of people not only in Kazakhstan but also in other countries. I think that the movies are very creative and interesting. Q What was the most impressive place or food you experienced during your visit in Korea?I visited N Seoul Tower, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and Seoul Forest. At N Seoul Tower, I enjoyed the beautiful night view of Seoul, and I also found the futuristic architectural style of Dongdaemun Design Plaza fascinating, especially since it was designed by my favorite architect, Zaha Hadid. Seoul Forest was impressive as a space full of people enjoying their time playing games or chatting amid nature. I really wanted to try bungeoppang when I came to Korea, but unfortunately, I couldn t. If I have the chance next time, I definitely want to try it. Q What do you think you ll miss the most about Korea when you return to your country?I can definitely say that the people and the hospitality at KOICA are the things I will miss and think about the most. I am very grateful for the warm welcome I received during my stay and how everyone made an effort to make me feel involved. There were new people having lunch with me every day, which allowed me to get to know more people. I even got a chance to speak in Kazakh and Russian and eat kurt, which is traditional Kazakh dried fermented milk product with a salty taste, something I absolutely did not expect and deeply appreciated. Q What do you expect from the future relationship between Korea and Central Asia, including Kazakhstan?Korea is Kazakhstan s largest investment and trade partner. Additionally, many descendants of Koreans live in Kazakhstan. The fact that the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum has been held annually clearly demonstrates that Kazakhstan and Korea regard each other as important cooperation partners. I also hope that Korea will continue to gradually develop various avenues for mutual collaboration with Kazakhstan and the other four Central Asian countries in the future. I believe that, considering the global achievements of Korean companies, collaboration between Korea and Central Asian countries through public-private partnerships will generate unprecedented synergy beyond anyone s expectations.

2025.08.27

We bring you KOICA s August news, as hot as the midsummer sun. The first is the heartwarming news that the CU KOICA Store, a new workplace for people with severe disabilities, has opened at KOICA headquarters. We look forward to seeing how this space, designed to support the independence of people with severe disabilities, will develop. We also bring you news that the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) enhanced Korea s international standing by participating in the 'ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX-25),' as well as the launch of the 5th Citizen Participation Innovation Team, which will help shape KOICA s strategy and innovation from the public s perspective. There is also the news about the launch ceremony of the 7th cohort of 'WeKO,' where 100 young people from 45 countries around the world came together as one, as well as the event commemorating World Humanitarian Day. 📰 NEWS 1. Convenience Store for People with Disabilities Opens at KOICA Headquarters ▲ Disabled workers are employed at the 4th convenience store for people with disabilities, CU KOICA Store, which opened at KOICA headquarters. A special convenience store has opened at KOICA headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. On July 25, KOICA launched the 4th convenience store for people with disabilities, named 'CU KOICA Store.' The convenience store for people with disabilities is a project promoted through a tripartite agreement among the Korea Disabled People s Development Institute, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and BGF Retail to support the independence of people with severe disabilities and create stable jobs within the local community. The store has a total of five employees with various types of disabilities. In particular, a barrier-free design has been applied to ensure that everyone can access it comfortably. The aisles have been widened to allow easy movement of wheelchairs and strollers, the shelves have been installed below 1,200 mm, and call bells have been provided in hard-to-reach places to enhance convenience. 📰 NEWS 2. KDRT Participates in the 2025 ASEAN Disaster Response Exercise ▲ KDRT members who participated in ARDEX-25 are taking a group photo. The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) participated in the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise 2025 (ARDEX*-25) held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from July 22 to 24. This exercise, organized by the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), is the largest international disaster response simulation exercise in Asia and is hosted biennially by ASEAN member states. This is the first time that KDRT has been invited to participate in this training. About 200 on-site personnel, including search and rescue teams and medical staff from ASEAN member countries and partner nations, were deployed to Cambodia to conduct a simulated response assuming major disasters such as floods, typhoons, and building collapses. Through this exercise, KDRT shared Korea s advanced disaster response capabilities and on-site command system with ASEAN countries and assessed the effectiveness of international cooperation. 📰 NEWS 3. Launch Briefing Session for the 5th KOICA Citizen Participation Innovation Team Held ▲ On July 11, participants took a commemorative photo at the launch briefing session of the 5th KOICA Citizen Participation Innovation Team, held at KOICA headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. The 5th Citizen Participation Innovation Team held its launch briefing session at KOICA headquarters on July 11 and has begun full-scale activities. The Citizen Participation Innovation Team is KOICA s flagship citizen participation program, designed to listen to and incorporate the public s voices into institutional innovation and management. Since its inception in 2020, the program is now in its 5th term. This year, a new ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) perspective was introduced, with a total of 30 members selected 10 from each field. In the environmental sector, participants engage in proposal activities focusing on climate change response, while the social sector addresses issues such as education, healthcare, and gender equality, and the governance sector emphasizes transparency and accountability. The Innovation Team will be active for about 18 months until 2026, participating in KOICA s strategy and policy decision-making processes and directly engaging in KOICA s ESG field activities. Through this activity, KOICA plans to promote more effective and responsible international development cooperation centered on the three pillars of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance). 📰 NEWS 4. KOICA Citizen Participation Supporters WeKO 7th Launched ▲ At the launch ceremony of KOICA Global Supporters WeKO 7th, held on August 8 at KOICA headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, President CHANG Won Sam, KOICA executives, staff, and supporters participated in a group ceremony symbolizing the start of their journey. Young people united through KOICA embarked on a journey, carrying shining idea tickets to realize the motto 'Grow as you are, Cooperate as we are.' On August 8, a launch ceremony for the Global Supporters 'WeKO' 7th cohort, with 100 participants from 42 countries (40 domestic supporters and 60 global supporters), was held at KOICA headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. The launch ceremony was held under the theme 'The Beginning of a Journey to Find Myself,' with the concept of boarding flight 'K01 CA' of the fictional airline 'Fly WeKO' and embarking on a journey. The 7th WeKO will be active for about five months, from August to December 2025, participating in activities both online and offline. This cohort operates as "Growth-Oriented Supporters," who plan and execute individual ODA promotional ideas. Domestic supporters focus on promotion and marketing projects, while global supporters handle on-site overseas reporting. The activities of the WeKO 7th cohort can be followed on the official WeKO Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok channels.📰 NEWS 5. Pop-up Event Held to Commemorate World Humanitarian Day ▲ Participants are enjoying the photo booth at the World Humanitarian Day campaign pop-up event held by KOICA at IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. KOICA held a pop-up event to commemorate World Humanitarian Day from July 19 to 26, 2025, at the IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. The event was organized in collaboration with the Korea NGO Council for Overseas Development Cooperation (KCOC) and 14 domestic humanitarian non-profit organizations and international agencies based in Korea. The event was themed "An Ordinary Day: People Who Protect Daily Life" and featured various experiential spaces highlighting the everyday lives of people around the world facing humanitarian crisis, as well as the efforts of humanitarian workers dedicated to restoring their daily lives. The event featured key programs, including a humanitarian worker type test, exhibitions of photos and videos from humanitarian crisis sites, and a humanitarian-themed four-iframe photo booth. Participants who completed the stamp tour mission received character goods as souvenirs. Various events, including on-site SNS certification, were also held, attracting significant attention and popularity.

2025.08.27