US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN1298

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001298 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE, EUR/PGI, DRL 
DEPT PLEASE PASS MCC AND USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, AM 
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES FIRST COMMUNITY SELF-HELP 
FUND SITE 
 
 
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PROJECT ENERGIZES LOCAL INVOLVEMENT 
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1. (U) Ambassador Ordway, accompanied by regional GOAM 
representatives and local press, inaugurated the newly 
completed Noyemberyan Sport School facility June 2 in 
Armenia's northeastern Tavush region.  The ceremony marked 
the completion of the first project sponsored by the USG's 
"Community Self-Help Fund" (CSHF) initiative in Armenia.  A 
grant of USD 10,500 was used to leverage funding from the 
GOAM and a municipal relief organization in Greece to 
refurnish the complex, purchase safe recreational equipment 
from reputable suppliers, repair an unsafe fence and 
lighting in the park area adjacent to the school and 
renovate the area for public use.  Media coverage of the 
event noted the project's early and under-budget completion 
and echoed Ambassador Ordway's call for increased private- 
public collaboration at the local level to improve living 
standards in Armenia's rural areas.  Local leaders praised 
the effort as a way to mobilize local architectural and 
construction talent that had been underutilized in this 
border town since the outbreak of the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict. 
 
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COMMUNTITY SELF-HELP FUND FOSTERS LOCAL COOPERATION 
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2. (U) The sport school was one of the ten successful 
applicants who were awarded small grants during the first 
tranche of funding from the CSHF project.  The CSHF program 
awards communities who successfully mobilize local resources 
through proven and effective NGO mechanisms to offer a 
significant portion of capital needed for local 
infrastructure projects that address urgent community needs. 
As part of the program, NGOs must work with local businesses 
and municipal authorities to ensure that program activities 
will not be blocked and that they will receive support from 
appropriate civic entities upon completion.  Sustainability 
was a key factor in granting funds for the CSHF projects. 
In the case of the Noyemberyan Sports School, the local NGO 
identified a market for clean, affordable lodging in the 
region (there are no hotels in a 40 mile radius) and 
refurbished part of the complex to serve as a hotel 
facility.  An overwhelming 250 eligible applications 
competed for the first round of CSHF funding. 
 
3. (U) The United States Agency for International 
Development (USAID) is managing the project through the 
local offices of Save the Children.  Post will continue to 
refine the program as a complementary arm of ongoing USG 
technical assistance for NGOs and government strengthening 
at the local level.  A second call for proposals is expected 
by June 31. 
ORDWAY