DEFA – Development of Financial Autonomy of Universities in Kyrgyzstan – is the only fully institutional reform project in Kyrgyzstan that directly supported universities in rethinking their governance and financial management systems. For the first time, a large and diverse group of public and private HEIs together with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic engaged in a reform process, generating a shared understanding of financial autonomy and building long-term institutional capacity.
The committed efforts of the partnership, supported by the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme, ensured efficiency, national ownership, and high visibility, laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability of project achievements.
A unique reform effort addressing a national gap
Before DEFA, ongoing reforms in the higher education sector in Kyrgyzstan did not fully address financial management or institutional autonomy, despite their strategic importance for innovation, diversification, and organisational resilience.
DEFA filled this gap by:
- engaging public and private universities in a shared reform process;
- providing upskilling opportunities and creating learning centres across institutions;
- ensuring that each university could benefit from tools, skills, and adaptable methodologies.
During the project, the law on financial autonomy was adopted in Kyrgyzstan, establishing the first legal basis for the rights and responsibilities of autonomous universities. DEFA contributed to defining the practical mechanisms and supporting future development of this framework. The 2024–2030 Strategy and Roadmap for Financial Autonomy provided shared objectives and reform priorities for the future.
A comprehensive model for financial autonomy
DEFA’s most important achievement is the development of a Financial Autonomy Model, which outlines the core structural and procedural elements of institutional autonomy, responding to the needs of Kyrgyz universities and aligned with European practices. The model integrates all the necessary components for meaningful autonomy:
- Diversification of income sources
- Institutional and environmental analysis
- A clear legal and regulatory framework
- Improved engagement of staff and students
- Updated HR policies
- Alignment between financial resources and strategic planning
This model was accompanied by a continuous process of training activities, designed and prepared by experts, and delivered to Kyrgyz university staff, supporting practical implementation of autonomy principles within institutions.
Tangible impact across universities
Throughout the project, universities achieved several measurable results:
- Updated internal documents and procedures to align with the new autonomy framework
- Improved financial management and efficiency, supported by training and practical tools
- Created a pool of trained professionals, including certified trainers and experts from the Skills Development Center
- Stronger institutional culture of strategic planning, transparency, and governance
These results demonstrate that the project has not only produced knowledge, but also changed institutional practices.
Final conference and meeting
On 11-13 november 2025, a Final Conference and closing meeting in Bishkek gathered all partners, university representatives, and national authorities. During the event, while reviewing achievements and discussing the future steps for ensuring sustainability at both institutional and national level, additional training sessions were held as part of the closing events, consolidating the skills and tools developed during the project. Adam University (Kyrgyzstan) guided partners through a Training on Project Sustainability, helping institutions understand how to maintain and expand reforms beyond the project lifecycle. Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany) explored Strategic Planning and Strategic Opportunities of Universities as well as Target Agreements and Negotiations, providing practical guidance on aligning institutional goals with available resources and engaging effectively with stakeholders.
In addition, CESIE ETS (Italy) conducted a session on the Quality of the Final Report and Requirements for it, which was particularly important as this project represents Kyrgyzstan’s first Erasmus+ CBHE initiative. This session stressed the importance that all project work, deliverables, outputs and results are documented to high standards.
A solid foundation for the future
The achievements reached during DEFA underline the strategic importance of financial autonomy for Kyrgyzstan’s higher education development. The project has proven that reforms can be effective when supported by national authorities, aligned with institutional needs, and accompanied by capacity-building efforts.
As DEFA comes to a close, Kyrgyz universities are better equipped than ever to:
- manage diverse financial resources,
- plan strategically,
- strengthen their governance structures,
- and contribute actively to the country’s socio-economic development.
The project’s legacy will continue through the tools created, the staff trained, and the institutional commitment fostered over these years – a strong basis for continuing the reform beyond the project’s lifetime.
About the project
DEFA – Development of financial autonomy of universities in Kyrgyzstan is a project funded by the program DG EAC, Erasmus+, KA2 Capacity Building Higher Education. It has the objective of implementing a reform of the financial management systems of Kyrgyzstan universities that favors greater university autonomy, competitiveness and innovation.
Partners
- KSTU – Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov (Kyrgyzstan, Coordinator),
- DA MFA KR – Uchrezhdeniye Diplomaticheskaya Akademiya Ministerstva Inostrannykh Del Kyrgyzskov Respubliki Imeni Kazy Dykambayevicha Dikambayeva (Kyrgyzstan),
- IUK – International University of Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan),
- IUK – Issykkul State University Named After K.Tynystanov (Kyrgyzstan),
- OshSU – Osh State University (Kyrgyzstan),
- TalSU – Talas Mamlekettik Universiteti (Kyrgyzstan),
- NSU – S. Naamatov Naryn State University (Kyrgyzstan),
- AU – Adam University (Kyrgyzstan),
- ISM – International School of Medicine Institution (Kyrgyzstan),
- AIU – Ataturk-Alatoo International University (Kyrgyzstan),
- AVUZ – Association of legal entities “Association of Universities of the Kyrgyz Republic” (Kyrgyzstan, Partner associato)
- MES KR – Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan, associate partner)
- OVGU – Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet Magdeburg (Germany)
- CESIE ETS (Italy),
- UNIFI – Universita Degli Studi Di Firenze (Italy)
For further information
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Contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
