OSCE Centre helps train civil society in Turkmenistan in project management

ASHGABAT, 20 March 2012 – An OSCE-supported training course on project management for more than thirty members of Turkmenistan civil society concluded in Ashgabat today.

Organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat with financial support from the British Embassy in Ashgabat, the two-day training course aimed to enhance the participants’ practical skills and knowledge about project management life cycle, including planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and closure. Some thirty representatives of civil society discussed with an international trainer effective ways of interacting with stakeholders and ensuring sustainability of projects. Practical exercises helped participants gain an insight in the process of drafting project documents, including project purpose, success indicators, risk analysis, activity plan, timeline, budget, monitoring and reporting.

“Excellent project management skills are essential for the development of civil society groups’ ability to effectively contribute to public life,” said Ambassador Sergei Belyaev, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “The OSCE Centre is committed to promoting the capacity and knowledge of civil society representatives, and this training course is expected to contribute to their strengthening in Turkmenistan”.

"The British Embassy is pleased to be working jointly with the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on this seminar”, added Martin Fenner, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Ashgabat. “It is important to support the development of civil society, and we hope participants will acquire useful knowledge and skills that they can use to good effect in the future."

This is the first in a series of training courses aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil society all over Turkmenistan.