Local Governance
Advancing inclusive and effective local governance for children, adolescents and youth
Challenges
In Uzbekistan, there is growing recognition of the need to strengthen local governance systems to deliver quality, inclusive services for children and youth. While local governments are making progress, further efforts are needed to enhance administrative and fiscal capacities, improve coordination between khokimiyats and mahallas, and ensure the use of disaggregated data and evidence in decision-making. Continued support is also essential to address legal, financial, and information-related gaps, so that local authorities can more effectively respond to the needs of all children and reach those at greatest risk of exclusion, including girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents from marginalized communities.
UNICEF recognizes that achieving equitable outcomes for every child requires strong, responsive, and inclusive governance at the local level. In this regard, UNICEF advocates for a child- and youth-sensitive local governance system that is responsive to local needs and enables the meaningful participation of young people and communities in decision-making. This includes promoting data-driven planning, equitable budgeting, effective coordination across sectors and levels of governance, and results-based service delivery.
Achievements to date
UNICEF accomplished the Youth and Child-Friendly Local Governance initiative across six pilot cities in Uzbekistan, aiming to empower local governments to prioritize the well-being of children and youth. By fostering active participation of young people in local development planning and implementing result-based management and budgeting principles.
Оver 6,000 adolescents and youth from urban and rural areas were engaged in shaping the 2023 Action Plans, ensuring their voices were heard and reflected in community initiatives. This initiative has not only transformed local governments into proactive advocates for children's rights but also equipped adolescents and youth with the tools and platforms to drive positive change within their communities.
The way forward
Building on the success and lessons learned from the YCFLG initiative, UNICEF—through the ongoing UN Joint Programme Inclusive transformation of youth and child-friendly local governance in Uzbekistan—is supporting the Government of Uzbekistan to strengthen local governance systems that are inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the needs of children, adolescents, and youth. The UN JP programme focuses on working with local authorities, mahallas, youth councils, and civil society across 12 pilot districts and cities to introduce participatory planning and budgeting approaches grounded in results-based management and budgeting principles.
Adolescents and youth continue to be actively engaged in identifying local priorities and co-developing community action plans, ensuring that their voices are reflected in local decision-making. At the same time, technical support will be provided to help local governments improve the transparency, equity, and effectiveness of social service delivery through the application of results-oriented approaches at the local level.
UNICEF will continue to work with national and subnational partners to institutionalize these practices and scale up successful models. This includes strengthening the capacity of local governments, promoting the use of disaggregated data and evidence for planning and monitoring, supporting youth engagement platforms, and facilitating the development of the necessary regulatory framework. These efforts aim to improve the provision and financing of inclusive services for children and families, contributing to the realization of national social policy priorities