16 communities-contestants received consultative support during the visits of the DESPRO experts to the Vinnytsya oblast and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The main discussion issue was the work on the mistakes in the project applications, recommendations to the applicants on correcting them.

Previously, these communities were selected from 25 communities that applied to participate in the competition of DESPRO projects. Nine of them were refused due to the failure to comply with the requirements of the competition or priorities of the DESPRO activity. Establishing a system of water supply, which would cater to the entire local community, was the main criterion for participation in the contest for support of the local initiatives. In addition, willingness of people to implement the project (social mobilization) constitutes equally important criterion.

Communities that received expert support from the DESPRO should finalize the project applications before November 1, 2010. Tender Committee meeting is scheduled for November this year.

Note: Visit to the nine communities (4 - in Illintsi rayon, 3 - in Kalynivka rayon and 2 - in Tulchyn rayon) of the Vinnytsya oblast was carried out on October 12-13.
During the visit to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea held on October 18-19, experts provided counseling to the seven communities (2 - in Bakhchysaray rayon, 3 - in Lenino rayon and 2 - in Nyzhnyohirsk rayon).