THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO ASSIST POPULATION OF ZERAFSHAN VALLEY

            Dushanbe, December, 18th. (Nargiz Boyakhmedova, Olga Saprykina, the NIAT "Khovar"). — Under the European Commission programme "Environment and sustainable management of natural resources, including energy" Welthungerhilfe will implement a project titled "Household energy efficiency and renewable energy use in Zerafshan valley". The project will start on 1st of January 2009 and will run until end of June 2011.             As the NIAT "Khovar" was informed in the EC office the main objective of the project is to improve the living conditions of vulnerable households in two districts of the Zeravshan valley through the promotion and support of activities. The project with a total budget of EUR 805,255 will focus on the rural population of the districts Ayni and Gorno Matcha in the Zerafshan valley, Sughd Oblast. While at district level new technologies will be introduced to make renewable energy available for communities and social institutions, at household level the project will focus on the promotion of simple but effective measures to use available energy more efficiently such as fuel efficient cooking stoves, improved heating systems and improved house insulation.