selected the most appropriate consultants and together with them developed their strategic plans,
monitoring and evaluation manuals, organizations' tax and accounting policies, etc. This unique
experience of working side by side with widely recognized experts have had positive effect on self-
perception of rural organizations thus significantly contributing to the increase of their self-
confidence.
OD projects have provided opportunities for rural CSOs to purchase 1C accountancy system and
train their accountants
on utilization of the system, which significantly improved
the accounting and
reporting work of the organizations.
"As a result of the training on 1C accountancy program
utilization we understood how much of useless and
ineffective work we did before, we were overwhelmed
with it. The program made our organization's
accounting much easier and systematized". Kulmanova
Madina, PA "Ugam", Tolebi rayon, South Kazakhstan
oblast.
Most of Level-2 CSOs for the first time since their establishment have reviewed their governing
bodies, conducted general meetings and elected new members from the most active community
leaders,
developed their profiles, reconsidered policies and procedures.
Most of organizations faced a number of difficulties while implementing the projects and
submitting the reports. It can be explained by the fact that it was their first experience of
implementing projects that are aimed at increasing the level of their organizational development.
They had to perform any financial transactions, make organizational decisions and hire external
consultants according to the developed policies and procedures, which was entirely a new challenge
for them that slowed down a number of financial and program processes. To overcome difficulties
Bereke and ECOCENTER teams have provided on-line and on-site consultations. Nevertheless,
project intermediate program and financial reports were submitted with a delay.
i) Organizational Development training in Shymkent for CSOs from the southern region
The results of interim reporting have revealed a number of challenges faced virtually by all Level-2
CSOs of the southern region. Therefore, after joint discussion with CSOs, it was decided to conduct
a training on Organizational Development, which was conducted on August 20, 2016. The training
session was launched with reviewing the results and announcing comments on interim financial
reporting.
Financial department specialists paid great attention to explanation of final financial reporting
requirements explaining each budget line, basics of travel expenses registration and accrual of
payroll.
The program specialists familiarized the participants with the conducted analysis of implemented
activity regarding 6 spheres of organizational development. Virtually all organizations faced
difficulties with description of quantitative indicators. Therefore, Bereke specialists have precisely
reviewed each of the OD spheres and described possible qualitative indicators jointly with
participants.
In conclusion, the CSOs have been acquainted with the form and principles of forthcoming OD re-
assessment in September 2016.
j) Study tour to ARGO on Organizational Development and Social Partnership
A study tour to Civil Society Development Association
(ARGO) was held on February 22-25, 2016 for eleven
representatives of target Level-2 rural CSOs from South
Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Karaganda and Akmola oblasts.
During four days of the study tour ARGO staff shared
knowledge
and
experience
gained
through
the
implementation of DRC Program regarding organizational
development of CSOs via improvement of their six
functional areas and building social partnership.
Session on Law on Making Amendments and Additions to
Certain Legislative Acts Concerning the Activity of Non-
Governmental Organizations, conducted by Svetlana
Ushakova, Director of PF "Institute of National and
International Development Initiatives" was very important
for study tour participants. During the session there were hot discussions on new amendments and
additions to legislative acts in the context of their impact on CSOs activity.
The study tour also included site visits to other developed CSOs of Almaty. The participants had
a unique opportunity to learn about the most advanced CSOs in Almaty city and oblast, observe
their activity, discuss the most acute issues.
A visit to PF "Zhety Agash" aroused great interest among study tour participants. This CSO
provides support to women prisoners, juvenile prisoners and women, which returned from places
of detention. The Fund assists in processing documents, adjusting to a new life and provides
opportunities to acquire sewing and cookery skills that are very important for financial stability
of their beneficiaries.
Rural CSOs could learn much about various organizational policies and procedures in the
Association of Women with Disabilities "Shyrak". Head of Public Association of Persons with
Disabilities with Higher Education "Namys" – Kairat Imanaliyev presented a diagram of
potential sources of funding for CSOs and told about the achievements of Namys in this sphere.
Study tour participants visited a Training Cafe – social enterprise, established by
Psychoanalytical Association, and met the staff of the cafe, who are the residents of the city
psychoneurological care home. This cafe is established with the purpose of providing
employment and socialization for people with mental disorders.
Analysis of participants' feedback showed that the study tour achieved its objectives.
All participants consider the study tour as a means of regional cooperation
development
99% of participants noted that the information received at the study tour would strongly
contribute to the development of their organizations
100% of the participants surveyed rated the organization of the study tour as "excellent".
"It was very beneficial for us that during the study
tour mature CSOs not just gave sight of their
organizational documentation but demonstrated that
availability of policies and procedures and following
them significantly contribute to overall better
organization's performance". Murat Bekbayev, Vice
Chairperson of PA "Zhaiylma", Turkistan town .
Due to the study tour, the participants understood the essence
of developed policies and procedures and this understanding
will help them to work out scope of work for experts they will hire to assist them with
development of certain policies within their sub-projects.
Attachment 19 – Agenda of Study Tour to ARGO
Attachment 20 – List of Study Tour Participants
k) Study tour on CSO Financial Sustainability to SMEDA
On March 15-18, 2016 a study tour was organized to Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Agency "SMEDA" in Aktobe. Ten representatives of Level-2 CSOs participated in it.