Dushanbe, 11.06.2016. /NIAT “Khovar”/. On July 8, the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA) in Tajikistan hosted an Award Ceremony for the drawing contest “People working at borders”, held in the framework of BOMCA. The competition was announced on May, 15 2016 and invited children (9-14 y.o.) to present their vision on border guards’ work and daily life in an artistic way.

The wider objective of the contest was to deepen understanding of the general public of the work of the border guard agencies — to facilitate the positive attitude of children towards people carrying duties at borders, to express their understanding of the professionalism and cooperation of people working at borders while at the same time to encourage children to demonstrate their talents and creativity

In total, 9 drawings were received by BOMCA in Tajikistan. The selection committee, consisting of a representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan, BOMCA programme and Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, unanimously selected the winners : 1st place – Umed Qurbonazar (12 y.o, Dushanbe), 2nd place  — Munisa Rajabova (10 y.o, Dushanbe), 3rd place – Azizjon Kholov (11 y.o, Rudaki district). In addition to the main awards, children received honorary gifts – drawing kits and special prizes from the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan. Each participant received a certificate of appreciation.

First BOMCA operations began in Central Asia in 2003, and since then, BOMCA has strengthened partnership of the Central Asia Governments in the field of border management. The European Union allocated a sum of EUR 33.6 million to BOMCA for the period of 2003 – 2014 and almost EUR 5 million for its 9th implementation phase (2015 — 2018).