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Alexander Ivanov, Director of the Educational Initiatives Support Foundation, reflected on his organization’s long-standing cooperation with the UN system in education, peacebuilding and community development.The Foundation is one of Kyrgyzstan’s longest-established civil society organizations working on education reform. Over three decades, it has contributed professional expertise to national policy discussions and implemented initiatives with schools and communities across the country.Supporting education and recovery through local partnershipsCooperation initially developed through regular dialogue on education reform, with the Foundation and the UN system exchanging expertise and supporting shared priorities even when no formal project arrangements were in place.The partnership expanded significantly following the inter-ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010, particularly in Osh and Jalal-Abad, which caused loss of life, displacement and deepened mistrust between communities. In response, the Foundation and the UN system expanded their cooperation to help address the consequences of the conflict and support recovery, dialogue and social cohesion.Working in a sensitive post-conflict environment, the Foundation rapidly extended its activities across Osh and Jalal-Abad regions, working with schools and local communities to help rebuild trust, strengthen cooperation and support communities affected by the violence.Drawing on its established regional infrastructure, the organization was able to support training for schools throughout both regions. Ivanov recalled that the difficult operating environment required close coordination, flexibility and rapid implementation, but also produced tangible results for affected communities.The Foundation subsequently participated in several peacebuilding initiatives supported by the UN system, including projects promoting community engagement, women’s participation and social cohesion. Its broader cooperation has also covered education, children’s rights, human rights and community development.For Ivanov, this experience demonstrates the value of partnerships that combine the UN system’s resources and international expertise with the knowledge, networks and implementation capacity of national civil society organizations.Preserving expertise and strengthening civic participationLooking ahead, Ivanov emphasized that civil society should receive greater attention in future cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the United Nations. He expressed concern that reduced funding and a narrowing operating environment are causing experienced professionals to leave the sector and some organizations to scale down or close.This risks losing institutional knowledge and expertise that took decades and several generations of professionals to build. Civil society organizations often hold specialized knowledge in education, urban development, human rights, social protection and other areas, yet this expertise is not always fully integrated into public decision-making.Ivanov described civil society as part of the “social fabric” of a healthy society, connecting communities with institutions, contributing expertise to policymaking and representing vulnerable groups.He called for more systematic opportunities and accessible funding for national organizations working in education and other sectors. A coordinated, cross-sectoral UN initiative could help preserve expertise, strengthen institutional resilience and expand civil society’s participation in national development.His reflections contribute to the broader evaluation of the UNSDCF 2023–2027 by highlighting the importance of strong national partnerships. Sustained cooperation with civil society can help ensure that future reforms draw on local expertise, reflect diverse perspectives and remain responsive to the needs of communities across Kyrgyzstan.