Min-Kush, Naryn Region, Kyrgyz Republic — 22 September 2026

New community initiatives in Min-Kush are creating more opportunities for children and young people, supporting local tourism and strengthening community wellbeing, as the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) mark ten years of partnership in addressing the risks of uranium legacy in Central Asia.

Among the new initiatives is the Children’s Recreational Camp “Kyzyl-Sook”, which will provide children and young people, including persons with disabilities, with a new inclusive space to learn and explore. Particular attention will be given to girls and children from vulnerable families. Combining recreation with learning, the camp will place a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and community engagement. With support from the project’s small grant, the camp has received new accommodation for short-term stays, while the local government has committed to support the organisation of regular camps.

With the support of the project, a new tourism information center has also opened in Min-Kush. The centre provides information on available hiking and horse-tracking routes, key natural viewpoints in the surrounding area, the history of Min-Kush, and home-stay opportunities. Run by local youth, the centre is creating new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and tourism service providers, contributing to the diversification of local economy.

The initiatives were possible thanks to the call for proposals for small grants under the project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia – Phase III,” implemented by UNDP and the OSCE with the funding of the EU. 

Jana Kurpisa, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation, said: “The experience of Min-Kush shows the value of combining international partnership — between the EU, OSCE and UNDP — with strong local leadership and active community engagement, while putting local residents at the forefront of planning and implementing activities that improve their daily lives in the most sustainable and direct way possible.”

Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic: “For UNDP, addressing the uranium legacy is not only about reducing environmental risks. It is about supporting communities like Min-Kush to build new opportunities and a stronger future. This is what happens when sustained international support is combined with local leadership, community ownership and practical investments in people.”

In Min-Kush, these initiatives build on several years of cooperation between the EU, UNDP, local organisations and residents. Since 2021, EU and UNDP have supported local actors in identifying priorities and developing solutions that respond to community needs.

About the project

The project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia – Phase III” is implemented by UNDP and OSCE with the financial support of the EU. The projects supports communities living in the uranium legacy sites in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan through stakeholder engagement, community-led development, and measures that strengthen environmental safety, resilience, and sustainable economic opportunities.