Within the event, chairperson for Trustee Fund of Fund Forum Professor Gulnara Karimov awarded the winners of the first round of “Grant programme of social projects of regional NGOs of Uzbekistan” in 2011.

The event was attended by winners of grant and participants of two projects, representatives of state bodies, public organizations, diplomatic missions and international organizations, local sponsor and partners, as well as mass media.

Fund Forum and SISF has been realizing “Grant programme of social projects of regional NGOs of Uzbekistan”. The programme is directed at financing social projects, initiated by regional NGOs of the country, to support and boost in solving social issues in education, healthcare, infrastructure, ecology, preserving cultural and national traditions, etc.

In June 2011, Expert Council held its meeting and selected the best projects from 84 applications. The Council selected 25 projects from all regions, of which 22 from NGOs and 3 from mahallas.

Major projects cover such issues as institutional development of NGOs in the region, support of people and children with disabilities, support of women and youth from low income families, preservation of cultural and national heritage, etc.

In May 2011, the activities of projects, implemented by 42 NGOs, which won grants in 2010, were completed. Over 132,000 people benefited from the social initiatives.

Applications for the second stage of the project “Alternative energy sources for supporting representatives of social sector” will be received from 15 July to 15 August 2011, the Fund Forum said.

From 15 August to 15 September, the Expert Council will study application and will select 10 objects of social sector for installation of alternative energy source.

From 15 September 2011 to 15 April 2012, the special modules will be produced ad installed at the objects of the winners.