DUSHANBE, March 19, 2014, Asia-Plus – On Wednesday March 19, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tajikistan signed an Exchange of Note with the Government of Japan and Grant Agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the Project for Livelihood Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas (LITACA).

According to UNDP, the new three-year initiative, with funding totaling US$ 10.7 million, will be financed by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and will be implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in cooperation with UNDP Afghanistan.

The project reportedly aims to promote stability and security in the districts of Khatlon province of Tajikistan and Kunduz and Takhor provinces of Afghanistan through improving livelihoods and resilience of bordering rural communities.

LITACA will work closely with national and local authorities, community partners and civil society organizations in Tajikistan and Afghanistan in the border areas to better respond to development challenges, improve infrastructure and services, create business opportunities and facilitate cross-border cooperation.

The new project will support rehabilitation of more than 75 rural infrastructure facilities to improve direct access of more than 176,400 vulnerable people, including women living in rural communities, to schools, hospitals, irrigation, drinking water and energy supply.  Local governance institutions will be strengthened to give citizens greater access to public services, and farmers and entrepreneurs will be supported to improve agriculture and business development practices.  Vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth, women and persons with disability will be provided with vocational training to enhance their employability.

It is expected that the project will improve the livelihoods of more than 1.5 million people living in the border areas and will enhance cross-border cooperation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, which would contribute to stability and security in the region.