The Green Deal of the European Union stems from the realization that climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Climate change hits the water sector of Central Asia particularly hard: per capita water availability may reach water scarcity levels of less than 1,000 m³ per person by 2040. A better managed water sector could play a crucial role in the sustainable and green recovery of the region. It could provide a solid basis for economic growth, prosperity and the reduction of social, economic and environmental inequalities. Building human capacity is the first, indispensable step towards achieving economic and environmental sustainability of the water sector. A comprehensive review of water-related academic and research capacity in Central Asia, prepared in 2019 by the World Bank with support by the European Union underlined the need for increasing the quality of curricula content, faculty members, research, innovation and international cooperation. In the framework of the project 5 HEIs from the EU and 11 from Central Asia will cooperate to increase the relevance, quality and responsiveness of MA/MSc curricula on water governance and water diplomacy offered by the latter. Teaching staff of Central Asian universities will receive training in the new curricula. The new programmes, inspired by European best practices and adapted to regional conditions and requirements will help train a new generation of experts, prepared to tackle the challenges faced by the water sector. Increased mobility and the development of a regional programme for continuous training and research support will guarantee sustainability of results. The new, modernized courses would increase the employability of and open up attractive career opportunities for graduates.

Kyrgyzstan is carrying out higher education reforms geared at amending European standards in higher education management. Particular emphasis is placed on the adaptation of the Bologna process and European quality standards in higher education. At present, the transition to three-cycle education has been completed. A national qualification framework has been developed and approved. However, reforms of the universities’ management system so far have not kept pace. In particular, financial management systems are not adequately promoting university autonomy which is a precondition to cultivate innovative and competitive universities. The development of alternative management tools to the old management models increasingly requires the expansion of autonomy in the activities of higher education institutions. The aspect of financial independence occupies a prominent place in the system of autonomy of the university. This project is devoted to piloting and expanding new systems of university self-governance and increasing financial autonomy. By means of studying the European partners’ experience with expanding their institutional and financial autonomy, a model for university financial autonomy in Kyrgyzstan will be developed, piloted and evaluated. The project plans are to perform a needs analysis, develop an implementation strategy, develop a model of university financial autonomy, develop proposals for revision of legal regulations in close cooperation with the authorities in charge, and pilot training activities for staff from universities and ministries representatives.The project will study further prospects for increasing the financial, economic independence of universities in Kyrgyzstan, clarify the current, and projected limits of the powers of universities in the paradigm of developed and legally established model of autonomy, project will identify effective solutions to the complex process of financial and economic autonomy.

In Kyrgyzstan, low budget of research led to massive outflow of highly qualified scientists & lowering their prestige.The quality & potential of scientific research expertise has declined leading to the mismatch of the existing scientific & innovation potential and production needs in the use of promising technologies, to the rupture of links between science & industry.The project is aimed at the strengthening research and innovation capacities in Kyrgyzstan through promotion of PhD degrees.The project consortium includeds 4 EU Universities with big expertise in research methodology and running PhD studies and 7 Kyrgyzstani Universities. The KG partner universities are the core of the active working network established during cooperation started in the project piloted by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education & Science to introduce first PhD programs.To achieve the aim, the project consortium will conduct the following activities: 1. Modernisation of existing PhD studies and development of new innovative PhD program compliant with EU standards on specialties that are priority for the socioeconomic development of the country and meet society's needs.2. In order to enhance research competences of academic staff and to build innovative research expertise in Kyrgyzstan, the EU partners will provide comprehensive training trainers sessions PhD supervisors and teaching staff on needed topics covering Renewable Energy Technology, Agroeconomics, Public Health, Food Technology & Safety and others.3. Improvement of administration of PhD programs by training administrators of local PhD programs,4. Promotion of PhD culture amongst academic & non-academic stakeholders and wider society in Kyrgyzstan.