For the past two years, the Tech Age Girls [9] (TAG) project has been implemented in Kyrgyzstan [10], and the Soros Foundation [11] (SFK) has been a big supporter. Through its Youth Initiative Program, SFK contributed over $8,000 the first year and over $13,000 this year to TAG. Thanks to this generous contribution, TAG was able to bring 26 girls in 2010 and 34 participants in 2011 together in Bishkek for a two-week long intensive technology and leadership training. Partnership with SFK didn’t stop there, as TAG alumni have become active beneficiaries of different opportunities that Soros Foundation offers for youth such as:
- Twelve TAG alumni applied and received a grant from Soros to participate in Jashtar Camp 2010 [12], where they met youth from across Central Asia and Europe and learned about community projects and leadership activities that their peers implement in other countries.
- Janara Asizova won a grant from Soros’ Youth Action Fund (YAF) program to conduct and train youth in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan on different Information Technology tools. Zina Kabylbek kyzy participated in the Summer School of Democracy 2011, also sponsored by Soros Foundation, which aims to promote civic education and strengthen community leadership among young people in Central Asia.
- Janara Azisova and Zina Kabylbek kyzy participated in the Training of Trainers on “Effective use of Internet Resources” which was organized by Soros Foundation.
- Aidai Asanbekova traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan to participate in BarCamp Central thanks to funding from SFK. In addition, she participated in the first Central Asian Social Innovation camp that brought together software developers with community leaders in order help build web and mobile solutions for social challenges.
IREX would like to thank the Soros Foundation [11] for their ongoing support of TAG and alumni activities. We strive to partner with local organizations wherever TAG is implemented because it helps build a mutually beneficial relationship for both organizations and program participants. We would also like to thank our local partners who applied and received funding from SFK to implement TAG including the Agency for Social Technologies and FORUM English Language Teachers Association.