together the project implementers with the representatives of mass media, CSO sector and local
government. The events served both to establish the project’s regional profile and to secure the buy-
in of key stakeholders across the three-year lifecycle. The Project COP Roza Abdullayeva covered
the Program goals and objectives and outlined the project implementation cycle in her presentation.
The Program Officer, Gulsim Andabayeva in the SR and the Program Officer, Meruert Kurmashova
in the CR presented the results of questionnaire survey
among rural CSOs, indicating CSO needs, environment
they work in and introduced rural CSOs, that joined the
Program on a competitive basis. Participants of the
press conferences asked questions regarding the donor
of
the
project, possibility for urban CSOs to participate in
the program, etc. In general, they recognized the
importance of the program for the development of
civil society and for organizational and institutional
development of rural CSOs in particular.
The table below shows the number and of press conference participants
and agency they represent
in four locations.
CSO
LG
Mass Media
Shymkent
32
1
7
Taraz
20
3
6
Karaganda
1
6
Kokshetau
2
10
2. Information Channels Developed in the Framework of the Program
The Program has developed the following information channels to inform public about the results
and achievements and to raise the most acute issues:
Very effective information channels are Bereke
bereke-ngo.kz
and ECOCENTER
web-sites
www.ecocenter.kz
. During the reporting period 40 publications, containing information on carried
out and upcoming activities were published. Each is formulated very concisely and clearly, contains
photos and feedback from participants. Constant updating has led to an increase in a number of
visitors and views. During the reporting period 665040 people visited web-sites.
Another
information channel is TV and newspaper. The Program highlights 24
activities and
achievements in newspapers and TV.
The
Program
PR
Manager
created
a
page
on
Facebook.
Link
reference:
http://bit.ly/2c1Ve0J
. The page is systematically updated and filled with various interesting
material dealing with rural CSO development. It is focused in the first instance on creation of
links between all Program participants, sharing information about various networks activity.
Reposting of rural CSOs' publications will promote their recognition.
21 CSOs are also actively engaged in creation and updating of their
web-sites and
pages in social
networks.
Level-1 CSOs published 37 articles in
newspapers and
social networks about their community
development projects.
While implementing their community development projects rural CSOs pay a lot of attention to
increasing public awareness about project achievements via publication of
booklets, brochures,
journals. The Program staff always consult them on proper design and content in accordance
with the Program branding strategy. During the reporting period 2715 copies of information
material have been published by the CSOs.
Another informational channel that the Program team has been working on is a Project
information board containing project general information including title of the project,
implementing partners, project work plan, names of PMC members, photoes and other relevant
materials.
Program newsletter has been designed by the end of September 2016, when both level CSOs
completed their first projects and submitted final reports.
In August 17, 2016 Program PR manager participated in Communication Training organized by
USAID. Jessica Benton Cooney, The USAID/Washington Bureau for Democracy and Governance
Senior Communication Adviser payed a great attention to correct positioning and highlighting CSO'
activity in a success story format. The focus should be made on the demonstration of positive
impact of the project on quality of a target group's life. She showed the
most interesting photoes and
videos, containing success stories.
All acquired knowledge and developed skills have been utilized while preparing the first issue of
the Program newsletter. The Program team has made a decision that the first newsletter would
contain success stories of the projects, implemented by partner rural CSOs with the financial
support of PDP Program and written by their workers. It was a new experience for our organization.
Thus the newsletter contains the most interesting 14 success stories of Level 1&2 rural CSOs. This
newsletter will be distributed among all Program stakeholders, which will contribute to recognition
and image of CSOs, as organizations that provide the most demanded services to their target
groups.