ECA Alumni Small Grants Program

Program Results - February 2003

The ECA Alumni Small Grants Program was piloted by IREX in February 1999. The program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is designed to enable alumni of ECA programs to increase their impact on their home communities by providing funding for individual projects that further the goals of their original programs in the United States. Grants have been awarded to alumni to organize community service projects, publish self-authored books and materials, invite US colleagues to Eurasia for collaborative projects, make research trips within Eurasia, and organize and/or attend regional seminars and conferences. IREX has administered six rounds of the program to date.

2003 Alumni Small Grants Program Success Stories

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | X | Y | Z

A

Leila Akhmadeeva, Ufa, Russia, CI 2002
Project Description: Invited Dr. B. Veytsman, a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA to give lectures and conduct workshops for specialists in the study of neuromuscular disorders and representatives of the Patients’ Association. In addition, Dr. Veytsman and Akhmadeeva completed a joint paper based on their collaborative work.

Bahrom Akramov, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, RSEP 2002
Project Description: Published the book “Joy and Success in Learning: How to Learn Effectively at a University” and created a course on Study Skills at Tajik Technical University. The book will be used as a textbook in the course Akramov teaches. He also created a Study Skills Center, where he serves as an advisor to students interested in improving their study skills.

Majid Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan, RSEP 2002
Project Description: Organized a program to help develop the skills of in-service teachers’, including work with teaching materials and the development of new curriculum in language teaching. The program consisted of a series of workshops, dealing with the development of practical skills in foreign language teaching. This project was of great importance due to the lack of practical skill of in-service teachers, which has been seen as one of the major impediments to successful language teaching in Azerbaijan.

B

Anatolie Boistean, Rezina, Moldova, CI 2002
Project Description: Organized and delivered 30 seminars devoted to “Rural Tourism and Agrotourism” for farmers throughout Moldova interested in launching a farm tourism business. More than 550 people attended these seminars. He also published a corresponding brochure titled, “Launching a Rural Tourism Business,” which contains practical information and advice on starting and maintaining a rural tourism operation.

C

Aisuluu Chubarova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, CI 2002
Project Description: Published the manual “Agreement and Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Obligations of the Kyrgyz Republic.” The purpose of this manual was to improve general understanding among the general populace regarding basic intellectual property law with a special emphasis on World Trade Organization obligations in the Kyrgyz Republic. Fifty copies of the manual were distributed to libraries throughout Bishkek and the regions. An electronic version of the publication was made available with the help of the Internet Access and Training Program. (IATP.)

D

Volodymyr Dubovyk, Odesa, Ukraine, CI 2002
Project Description: Organized the workshop “US-Ukraine Relations: What Went Wrong and How to Revive Strategic Partnership.” The workshop involved 30 experts of various professional backgrounds: international relations, international security, foreign policy studies, sociology, and economics. The topics discussed ranged from strategic cooperation in the field of global and regional security to cultural and educational contacts for joint space exploration projects. One of the outcomes of this event was the creation of an alumni working group on US-Ukraine relations, which will continue the dialogue well into the future., which will continue the dialogue well into the future.

E

Margarita Emelyanova, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, CI 2002
Project Description: Organized the seminar “Protecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People and Violence Prevention.” The seminar trained 34 young people from six oblasts of Kyrgyzstan to help Kyrgyz youth understand their sexual and reproductive health and rights. In addition, they were trained in crisis management and conflict prevention in order to assist particularly vulnerable groups of Kyrgyz youth.

Anastasiya Ermolaeva, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, YLF 2000
Project Description: In collaboration with Svetlana Khimchenko, Ermolaeva organized a conference dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence in Nizhny Novgorod. The conference, which was titled “We Can Live and Love Without Violence,” attracted more than 50 participants from the Nizhny Novgorod region, Moscow, and Magadan. Among the participants were representatives from regional Crisis Centers, the Committee on Human Rights, and the Presidential Administration. The conference also attracted psychologists, doctors, and NGO representatives.

F

Tair Faradov, Baku, Azerbaijan, RSEP 1998
Project Description: Published a book entitled “The Mass Consciousness in Contemporary Azerbaijan: Searching for New Identities (A Sociological Analysis).” The main theme of the book is democratic development in Azerbaijan and its main aspects – creating appropriate state, legislative and political institutions, new laws and regulations and transforming patterns of social behavior. Five hundred copies of the book were published.

G

Lyudmyla Garkusha, Kirovohrad, Ukraine, CI 1999
Project Description: In collaboration with Valentyna Khripun, Garkusha organized the conference “Educational Policy Planning for Economics, Social and Cultural Sustainability.” The conference took place in Kirovograd, Ukraine and attracted 75 participants, primarily academics from Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Odesa, Melitopol, and Ekaterinburg. The conference proceedings were published as a collection of articles.

Vazha Goginashvili, Gori, Georgia, CI 2002
Project Description: Published the book “Business Incubation Industry and Its Application to Georgian Economy,” which describes the history, structure, and operations of business incubators worldwide. This publication is the first book of its type in Georgia and is considered the first step towards the establishment and successful operation of the business incubation industry in Georgia. The book was published in both Georgian and English.

Sergey Golubev, Vitebsk, Belarus, CI 2002
Program Description: Extended membership to the International Society for Pharmaeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) and published the book “The Essentials of Practical Pharmaeconomics.” Pharmaeconomics is a new applied science, which combines the study of clinical pharmacology, health economics, and evidence-based medicine. This book sought to explain the main concepts of this science. In addition, Golubev created a web-resource “Pharmaeconomics for Belarus” with the help of the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP).

H

Akif Hasanov, Ganja, Azerbaijan, CI 1999
Project Description: Conducted a Training of Trainers course for local NGO representatives. The goal of the course was to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the NGO programs in the region. The training was attended by 30 trainers from 13 local NGOs, including Young Intellectuals, Ganja Agro-Business Association, Bridge to Future, Children’s Foundation, among others. “A Manual for Trainers” was published as a result of the project.

Vagif Hassanov, Baku, Azerbaijan, CI 2002
Project Description: Organized trainings in organizational development for 54 representatives of rural NGOs. The training incorporated a systematic approach that taught the participants how to understand and improve their organizational environment, organizational diagnostics, project planning, recruiting resources, and teamwork. The participants were given an opportunity to write project proposals to test the knowledge they obtained during the training sessions.

I

Kubat Iyazaliev, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, CI 2001
Project Description: Extended membership to the American Urological Association. The membership benefited Iyazaliev in numerous ways: he gained information about conference opportunities, received the monthly magazine “Urology”, as well as press releases related to events and processes in the association. The membership contributed to his continuing ability to organize lectures and seminars on the most recent developments and contemporary issues in the field of urology.

J

Natia Jokhadze, Tbilisi, Georgia, RSEP 2000
Project Description: Conducted research on the current demographic and economic situation in Georgian cities in order to propose a program to develop affordable, government sponsored housing in Georgia. The research involved an in-depth analysis of subsidized housing in developed countries and an overview of the housing sector in Georgia, including legislation, institutional arrangement, and financial systems. Outcomes of the research have been published and disseminated to libraries throughout Georgia.

K

Kakhramon Juraboev, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, CI 2002
Project Description: In collaboration with the State Property Committee, Center for Securities Market, and a number of other organizations, Juraboev organized the conference “Promoting Corporate Governance in Uzbekistan.” The conference was held in Tashkent and attracted 40 international and local business leaders, who came together to discuss different aspects of corporate governance, including principles, standards, and the code of corporate governance.

Vasil Kacharava, Tbilisi, Georgia, RSEP 2000
Project Description: Organized the 5th Annual International Conference on American Studies at Tbilisi State University. The conference brought together approximately 200 scholars, teachers, students, and representatives of various universities and NGOs, who presented their papers on different aspects of American Studies. The overall attendance at the conference exceeded 500 people. The best papers presented at the conference were published in the Journal of American Studies.

Svetlana Khimchenko, Magadan, Russia, YLF 2000
Project Description: In collaboration with Anastasiya Ermolaeva, Khimchenko organized a conference dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence in Nizhny Novgorod. The conference, entitled “We Can Live and Love Without Violence,” attracted more than fifty participants from the Nizhny Novgorod region, Moscow, and Magadan. Among the participants were representatives from regional Crisis Centers, the Committee on Human Rights, and the Presidential Administration. The conference also attracted psychologists, doctors, and NGO representatives.

Valantyna Khripun, Kirovohrad, Ukraine, CI 1997
Project Description: In collaboration with Lyudmyla Garkusha, Khripun organized the conference “Educational Policy Planning for Economics, Social and Cultural Sustainability.” The conference took place in Kirovograd, Ukraine and attracted 75 participants, primarily academics, from Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Odesa, Melitopol, and Ekaterinburg. The conference proceedings were published as a collection of articles.

Olena Kibenko, Kharkiv, Ukraine, CI 2002
Project Description: Published and disseminated 350 copies of self-authored book “British Company Law: Statutes, Precedents, Commentaries.” The book was disseminated among universities, public libraries, law firms, and individuals working in the field of corporate law. It was the first book in the series “Corporate Law of Foreign Countries: Contemporary Issues.” Kibenko is currently working on the second book of the series.

Vladimer Kikilashvili, Tbilisi, Georgia, CI 1993
Project Description: Attended a conference on Linguistics in Moscow, where he presented his paper "Linguistic Education: Political Aspects of the Official Language and the Use of Language Portfolio for Teaching Georgian to Minorities."

Eugeniy Kornilovich, Moscow, Russia, YLF 2000
Project Description: Participated in a number of conferences and seminars relating to social investment, including a conference on social investment as a competitive strategy for business development, held in Yaroslavl, Russia. The conference participants included business owners, directors, and managers, representatives of administration, and directors of NGOs throughout the Yaroslavl region. Kornilovich participated as one of the key speakers at this event.

Alexander Kouznetsov, Dzerzhinskyi, Russia, YLF 2000
Project Description: Participated in a number of conferences and seminars relating to social investment, including a seminar on cooperation of city administration, citizens and businesses in realizing social programs, held in Tcherepovets, Russia. At the conference, Kouznetsov presented his paper “Social Programs as Business Strategies for Socially Competitive Business.” The experience and the knowledge gained at the conference were shared with members of the Lisakovsk City Administration with the intent to strengthen social partnerships on the local level.

Evgeni Krassinets, Moscow, Russia, RSEP 2000
Project Description: Developed a database for monitoring and forecasting illegal migration in Russia, analyzed the characteristics and experiences of illegal migration and employment in Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, and made policy recommendations to policy-makers in order to reduce illegal migration. Krassinets also published an article based on his research titled, “Illegal Migration and Employment in Russia’s Kaliningrad Exclave” in the journal Population.

Antonina Kulyasova, St. Petersburg, Russia, CI 2002
Project Description: Together with Maria Tysiachniouk, Kulyasova conducted research on forest certification in Russia in the context of European enlargement, published a book on sustainable forestry, and organized the conference “Sustainable Forestry Practices: Promoting Forest Certification in Russia” in the paper mill town of Sokol. The research was conducted in Moscow, Pskov, Arghangelsk, and Syktyvkar regions and resulted in both policy outcomes and practical implications.

Yevgeniya Kushchayeva, Kyiv, Ukraine, CI 2002
Project Description: Conducted a study on the problem of thyroid cancer in Ukraine and developed a new method of diagnosing the disease. The idea for this project was based on a present problem in Ukraine – the increase in the number of patients with thyroid cancer following the explosion at Chernobyl. The new method of diagnosing the disease involved scintigraphy with the use of radionpharmpreparation Tc99m – MIBI. Thirty patients participated in this study.

L

Andrei Lesco, Chisinau, Moldova, CI 2000
Project Description: Published the monograph “The Transparency of American Medicine: Ethical Behavior and Medical Legal Responsibilities.” This publication promises to contribute to the improvement of medical education in Moldova and will be used by medical professionals of all ranks.

Danielle Lussier, Cambridge, MA, US, YLF 2000
Project Description: Traveled to Yaroslavl and Penza, Russia in order to conduct research on the status of HIV/AIDS contraction. In Yaroslavl, Lussier saw a fairly sharp rise in the spread of the disease, despite the work of several NGOs devoted to educating people about HIV/AIDS. In Penza, the outlook was brighter, due mostly to a health center/Ngo that has done a lot of outreach in the community and with other local NGOs. Lussier also spent time meeting with practitioners in the two cities to discuss how to better communicate AIDS education to local students.

M

Andrey Makarychev, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, RSEP 1999
Project Description: Organized the seminar “Symbolic Capital of Regional Cultural Spaces: Identities of Russia’s Renamed Cities.” The seminar was held at Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University. The event attracted a large number of participants, including graduate students of the university who studied for a year in the United States. The proceedings of the seminar were published in January 2004 as the book “Recovered Names: Identities and Cultural Capital in Russia’s Renamed Cities.”

Sergey Makhortykh, Kyiv, Ukraine, RSEP 2002
Project Description: Published a book on culture contact and culture change titled “Culture Contact Between the Northern Black Sea Area and Central Europe in the Cimmerian Epoch.” The study of culture contact and its resulting change in relations to prehistoric and historic context is only beginning to unfold in Ukraine. One of the chapters of the book is devoted to culture contact in the United States.

Narine Movsisyan, Yerevan, Armenia, CI 2002
Project Description: Developed and implemented a smoking cessation program at Yerevan State University. This was the first program of this type at this university. According to the Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Armenia in 2000, approximately two thirds of Armenian men smoke. The program consisted of counseling sessions and classes intended to help people quit smoking. It also drew attention to the adverse affects of smoking in order to change the perceptions about this habit. Approximately 170 people took part in this study.

N

Bella Nikitina, Samara, Russia, CI 2002
Project Description: Conducted a comparative study and analytical review of waste management practices in the United States and Russia in order to gain a deeper understanding of the waste management situation in Samara region. She also organized a seminar about Wasted Management Regulation in Samara. As a result of her research, she published the book “Waste Management Strategy: Best Examples in the World and Opportunities in Samara Region.” A website containing information on the subject was also created.

Nazym Nuraliyeva, Shymkent, Kazakhstan, RSEP 2001
Project Description: Organized a series of workshops on the Methods of Sociological Research for teachers and students of the International Kazakh-Turkish University. The workshops consisted of three sections: Quantitative Methods of Sociological Research, Qualitative Methods of Sociological Research, and Combined Methodology of Sociological Research. Each section was accompanies by a corresponding book, that was also published as a result of the ECA Alumni Small Grant. One thousand and fifty copies of the books were published.

O

Narzullo Oblomuradov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, RSEP 2002
Project Description: Conducted research on the role of government policies in attracting foreign direct investment to economies in transition, which resulted in the publication of a paper on this subject. The results of this project have laid the foundation for the new project “Uzbekistan’s Accession to the WTO and Its Impact on the Banking Sector” for the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

Oguljahan Orazova, Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, RSEP 2002
Project Description: Published 250 copies of the brochure “High Technologies in Medicine and the Internet.” The purpose of this brochure was to inform doctors of various specialties and public health practitioners of the latest technological achievements in medicine by providing a brief overview of medical search sites and methods of information retrieval from the Internet.

P

Vyacheslav Panichkin, Novokuznetsk, Russia, CI 2001
Project Description: Published the booklet, “Attorney’s Manual on Civil Traffic Cases,” which was distributed to more than 400 people and organizations. This booklet contains articles concerning most common issues and advice in the field of traffic accidents.

S

Siarhei Salei, Grodna, Belarus, CI 2000
Project Description: Organized a workshop on “Modern Research Tools and Methods in History Research.” The workshop was held at Grodno State University in Grodno, Belarus and attracted 23 participants, most of whom gave brief presentations on their experience in using innovative research methods and tools in their own research.

Tanzilya Salimdjanova, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, CI 2002
Project Description: Created and published a monthly Samarkand NGO information bulletin titled, “Public Initiatives,” and organized the interregional conference “Partnership, Participation, and Civil Society.” The intent of the bulletin and the conference was to facilitate a dialogue between NGOs and other public organizations in the region. The bulletin was distributed among NGOs, local governmental organizations, and NGO target groups.

Georgy Savinov, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, YLF 2001
Project Description: Organized the conference “Linkages Between Regional and Neighborhood Development.” The conference attracted 35 participants representing a number of national and international organizations, including Volgo-Vyatka Public Administration Academy, the Nizhny Novgorod City Government, the University of Maryland at College Park, and University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany. The conference sought to increase public awareness of major issues in local economic development.

Oxana Selekhova, Moscow, Russia, YLF 1999
Project Description: Created a Career Development Center at Moscow State University for students and graduates specializing in journalism, communications, and media related disciplines. This center is located in the Department of Communications and will provide internship and job search services. The staff of the center will help students write effective resumes, explore career opportunities, and develop job-hunting skills. In addition, the Center will support a web portal (www.mmcc.ru), which promises to be a useful tool for the students in their career development.

Sergey Sevastyanov, Vladivostok, Russia, RSEP 1999
Project Description: Organized the conference “The Russian Far East and Korean Peninsula as Key Actors in Implementing International Cooperation Projects in Northeast Asia: Potential and Limitations.” The purpose of this conference was to find ways and means for including the Russian Far East territories into Northeast Asia (NEA) cooperation models. The conference proceedings were published in the form of a booklet and will be distributed in the academic community. The participants of this conference have agreed to hold a similar event annually at Vladivostok State University (VSU).

Leonid Shabad, Moscow, Russia, YLF 1999
Project Description: Conducted a feasibility study for launching a gray whale conservation program in Sakhalin, Russia. In order to conduct the study, Shabad traveled to Sakhalin to meet with different organizations and collect data. The energy sector is currently booming in Russia and the observation of environmental standards by oil and gas companies is becoming more and more important. His research represents an important step towards ensuring that these standards are met.

Suren Shatvoryan, Yerevan, Armenia, CI 2001
Project Description: Organized the conference “Renewable Energy in Armenia – Actuality and Perspectives.” The conference highlighted problems and trends in the policy and strategy of renewable energy in Armenia. More than 80 participants attended this event and almost 30 papers were presented. The intent of the conference was to increase the awareness of modern issues in the development of renewable energy in Armenia.

Jennifer Smith, Ann Arbor, MI, US, YLF 2001
Project Description: Conducted an evaluation of environmentally responsible behavior in the Lake Baikal region of Russia and conducted a summer ecological camp, called “Pollution Problems and Solutions.” The evaluations study included surveys, interviews, data collection, and analysis of the information gathered. The summer ecological camp ran from July 14 through July 26, 2003 and was a big success. Eighteen children from the region participated in this camp and were taught different aspects of environmentally responsible behavior.

Oleg Stiopca, Chisinau, Moldova, CI 2000
Project Description: Extended membership to Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE). The membership allowed him to have access to ACE benefits and to initiate the activities for setting up an ACE affiliation in Moldova in the future. Two books were published, partially as a result of the ACE membership: “Handbook for Trainers in Agriculture” and “Extension Consultant’s Guide.”

Yuri Stulov, Minsk, Belarus, RSEP 1997
Project Description: Organized the conference “Breaking the Boundaries: English Literature in the Postmodern Epoch,” held in Minsk, Belarus. The conference was attended by 75 participants from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, Mexico, Lithuania, and Latvia. The main topic of the conference was identity, race, and gender in the literature of the Old and New World.

Victor Susak, Lviv, Ukraine, RSEP 1999
Project Description: Published the volume “Collective Identification and Post-Soviet Transformation in Ukraine: the Case of Lviv and Donetsk, 1994-1999.” This publication is a result of the work of an international interdisciplinary research team that included historians and social and political scientists from Ukraine, the United States, Canada, and Sweden. This publication will be widely disseminated to ECA alumni and will be used in academic institutions throughout Ukraine. One of the main conclusions drawn from the research preceding the publication was that the nationalist divisions between East and West that are emphasized by many political scientists are not as crucial a factor in the development of Ukraine during the post-Soviet era as it was formerly believed.

T

Djaneta Tachkuliyeva, Ashgabad, Turkmenistan, CI 2002
Project Description: Organized a number of workshops on the issue of drug abuse in Turkmenistan and published 100 copies of the brochure “The Social Psychology of Drug Abuse.” The workshops and the brochure are considered an important contribution to health education in Turkmenistan. The workshops also served as a forum for collecting surveys and questionnaires from students (ages 14-18) about drug use and educating participants about the adverse effects of drug use. More than 150 students attended the workshops.

Farkhod Tolipov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, CI 1999
Project Description: Participated in the international conference “Caucasus and Central Asia in the Globalization Process,” that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, “Qafqaz” University, and Azerbaijan Association of Economists. At this conference, Dr. Tolipov presented his paper “The Strategic Role of Central Asia in the Globalized World.”

Anatoliy Trokhymchuk, Pogrebische, Ukraine, CI 2002
Project Description: Published and disseminated 1000 copies of a manual for starting a private veterinary practice in Ukraine, “Private Veterinary Practice. First Steps.” The manual was provided to universities and veterinary professionals. This is the first publication of this type in Ukraine, and the demand for such a manual was great.

Maya Tsyganenko, Almaty, Kazakhstan, CI 2002
Project Description: Published 700 copies of a book of guidelines on Human Resource Management for non-governmental organizations. Such a publication was lacking in the NGO community in Kazakhstan and promises to benefit numerous organizations.

Maria Tysiachniouk, St. Petersburg, Russia, RSEP 1995
Project Description: Together with Antonina Kulyasova, Tysiachniouk conducted research on forest certification in Russia in the context of European enlargement, published of a book on sustainable forestry, and organized the conference “Sustainable Forestry Practices: Promoting Forest Certification in Russia” in the paper mill town of Sokol. The research was conducted in Moscow, Pskov, Arghangelsk, and Syktyvkar regions and resulted in both policy outcomes and practical implications.

V

Petr Vaganov, St. Petersburg, Russia, CI 1996
Project Description: Published 400 copies of the textbook “Science of Catastrophes.” The books were distributed in the academic community. This is the first book in Russia dealing with multi-faceted and interdisciplinary issues concerning natural and human induced disasters. This book represents a rather new scientific discipline that has recently been in a state of rapid progress and there have been no manuals or textbook available.

Siarhei Vetokhin, Minsk, Belarus, CI 2000
Project Description: Published 100 copies of the book “Belarusian Universities.” The book was published in English and aims to inform the international community about the system of higher education in Belarus, the trends of its development, and Belarusian universities. The book was distributed throughout Belarus, Europe, and North America.

Leonid Vlasenko, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, CI 2002
Project Description: Conducted field investigations of the use of narcotics in Ukraine. The results of the research were analyzed and published as a brochure. The research was carried out in six regions of Ukraine – Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, Donetsk, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk, and involved 30 in-depth interviews with drug users, their family, medical professionals, governmental officials, and law enforcement agents. Vlasenko hopes that the outcomes of his research will contribute to drug policy reform in Ukraine.

Liliya Vlasova, Minsk, Belarus, CI 2001
Project Description: Organized the Second School for Business Lawyers, the purpose of which was to equip local business lawyers with new professional skills in order to better serve the society. One hundred and fifty private law practitioners participated in this program. Representatives of the Ministry of Justice attended the event as guests.

Z

Vasyl Zorya, Kyiv, Ukraine, CI 1999
Project Description: Launched a pilot project and created an independent think tank for continual and comprehensive analysis of Ukraine’s foreign policy and economy as well as global issues affecting Ukraine. The think tank is called “The Agency of Strategic Information.” The special focus of this research center is Ukraine’s progress towards European integration.