“Assessing Adaptive Resilience of Rural Communities in Central Asia” (CARe)

The project investigates why rural communities in similar conditions follow different development paths: some lose resilience, others remain stable, while some adapt to shocks and progress. The project research is based on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches involving local communities

Key project objectives include: developing a sustainability index and vulnerability index for rural communities; identifying factors that determine their adaptive capacity; conducting scenario planning for possible development trajectories; developing strategies in collaboration with local residents and experts; and preparing practical recommendations for authorities, researchers, and organizations working in rural areas.

The project will result in the development of a theoretical and practical framework for studying the sustainability of rural communities in Central Asia. A vulnerability index and a multidimensional sustainability indicator will be created, maps of change dynamics and community responses will be prepared, and an interactive online atlas will be developed. The results will be summarized in a guide for researchers and practitioners containing recommendations for improving the sustainability of rural communities. The project will provide both scientific input and practical benefits for development planning and management.

For Central Asian countries, the project will create a basis for more effective rural development management. The methodologies and indicators developed will enable objective assessment of community resilience and identification of areas requiring support. Scenario planning will add information for preparing for future changes and help local organizations develop strategies that take into account the specific characteristics of the region. Practical recommendations for promoting the sustainability of local communities, which will be developed based on research results, will contribute to strengthening the sustainability and development of rural areas in the long term.

Rural communities of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan