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News. July, 2010

Grant Competition Announcement Improving efficiency and integrity of rural drinking water supply systems in the settlements along Amur river in Khabarovskiy Krai. (Amur Initiative – Phase 3).

Program Start: July 05, 2010. Program duration: until October 31, 2010

The problem of Amur River pollution remains one of the most critical in the entire Russia. Despite certain positive shifts and established cross-border partnerships Chinese enterprises and cities continue dramatic pollution of Amur River which separates two countries. Being the main source of drinking water and fish for almost a million populations at the Russian Far East Amur currently represents a serious threat to public health and sustainable development of many riverside communities including those of small and indigenous people. The most vulnerable are small and usually remote and regularly isolated villages in the middle and lower flow of the stream.

In 2007-2009 the Fund for Sustainable development under the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Khabarovskiy Krai government implemented the very practical targeted program called Organization of the public monitoring system and improving drinking water quality in the settlements along Amur river in Khabarovskiy Krai (Amur initiative) and its follow-up “Replicating results of the targeted program for improving drinking water quality in the settlements along Amur river in Khabarovskiy Krai (Amur Initiative – Phase 2)” which provided safe drinking water for more than 45 000 citizens of small villages who represent the least protected sectors of the society (small and indigenous people, youth and seniors). It also helped to establish effective partnerships to ensure results replication of Amur initiative results to other small settlements on the banks of Amur River. The program has also contributed to establishment of a system of effective and instant monitoring and information distribution system about Amur river water quality and safety. All project partners considered the program to be extremely successful and efficient.

Still over 30 villages of Khabarovskiy Krai on the banks of the river lack safe drinking water supply sources. To develop achieved success, strengthen established partnerships and ensure almost higher coverage in Khabarovskiy Krai the Fund for Sustainable Development (FSD) proposes implementation of the next phase of Amur initiative: “Increasing efficiency and integrity of rural drinking water supply systems in the settlements along Amur river in Khabarovskiy Krai” (Amur Initiative – Phase 3”), which will help to deliver results of the previous two phases to even more riverside settlement along Amur in Khabarovskiy Krai.

The Program goal is to replicate results of Amur Initiative Phases 1 and 2 and provide quality drinking water sources and up-to-date information on the Amur river water quality for citizens living in rural settlements along it in Khabarovskiy Krai with simultaneous increasing efficiency of energy and other resources utilization. This will help not only to solve immediate challenges related to water and public health but also provide a background for further local sustainable development and contribute to global change issues.

The program is funded by USAID and Khabarovskiy Krai authorities. It is administered by FSD in partnership with Khabarovskiy Krai Charity NGO “Zelyonyi Dom”; Ministry for Economic Development of Khabarovskiy Krai; Local Self-Governance Authorities along Amur and regional NGO’s.

All eligible organizations from Khabarovskiy Krai interested in implementing practical projects in this area are invited to participate in the grant competition. Program description, Application form and Application preparation and submission manual (in Russian) can be found at FSD’s website.