Kulsary, Atyrau oblast, Kazakhstan – On December 9-15, 2009, the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) is holding a series of trainings for NGOs and also for the first time trainings for doctors to promote a healthy lifestyle. The trainings are part of EFCA program on “Civil Participation in Social Development” financed by Tengizchevroil (TCO).

The aim of holding these trainings for Zhylyoi’s new NGOs is to teach the participants the main steps of registering and opening an NGO and to give them practical skills in writing projects and putting together budgets.

The trainings for new NGOs will be conducted by representatives of EFCA and the Enbekshkazakh Community Foundation that has a lot of experience in developing the NGO sector in rural areas. The trainings will be held in Kazakh.

The aim of holding the healthy lifestyle trainings is to encourage doctors and professors to use interactive teaching methods to inform people on a regular basis about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

The sessions will be conducted by trainers with experience in international health projects and the content of these trainings will be adapted to cover specific problems which people in Zhylyoi might be facing as regards to leading a healthy lifestyle.

The “Civil Participation in Social Development” program is aimed at engagingmembers of the community in solving social problems. The program is composed of three components: the development of the civil sector, improving the quality of the health service through spreading the word about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the development of the education system. As well as holding trainings for new NGOs and doctors, the program will also involve trainings for teachers and the creation of new professional organizations and resource centers.