Strengthening Local Governance Systems Focused on the Interests of Youth and Children Supports Uzbekistan’s National Reform Agenda
TASHKENT, 12 June 2026 - Activities under the UN Joint Programme “Inclusive transformation for youth and child-friendly local governance in Uzbekistan” are continuing in 12 pilot districts and cities across Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Khorezm and Tashkent regions. The programme is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented jointly by UNICEF, UNDP and the “Yuksalish” Movement.
Representatives of partner organizations met to take stock of the work carried out to date. The regular meeting of the Steering Committee of the Joint Programme was attended by representatives of national institutions, local administrations of pilot areas, chairs of local working groups, representatives of youth advisory groups, civil society institutions, youth organizations and development partners.
The meeting reviewed the results achieved during the initial phase of the programme, as well as the status of financial implementation. It was noted in particular that local working groups have been established in all pilot areas. This is of particular importance for evidence-based local planning, coordination and monitoring.
As part of the programme, functional and institutional analyses of khokimiyats, local councils and mahallas were conducted. These analyses serve as a basis for systematic reforms in results-based governance, budgeting, accountability and local planning. Practical coaching and in-depth technical support were provided in the city of Termez, Yukori Chirchik district, Shovot district and Chiroqchi district. This helped introduce medium-term planning, alignment between plans and budgets, the selection of key performance indicators (KPIs), and monitoring tools into practice.
“This initiative is an important step towards strengthening inclusive local governance. Switzerland will continue to support reforms aimed at providing broad opportunities for young people, increasing the accountability of local authorities, and creating equal opportunities for children and youth,” said Andrin Fink, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
Field visits, consultations and technical sessions were conducted in the programme areas with the participation of more than 200 stakeholders to assess the local situation. Through regional workshops on results-based management and budgeting, more than 120 members of local working groups gained practical skills in applying the principles of results-based management and programme budgeting in strategic planning, developing appropriate KPIs, and conducting monitoring and reporting.
“Our main mission is to bring public administration closer to citizens, especially young people. During the first phase of the programme, the establishment of local working groups in 12 pilot districts and cities, as well as the involvement of young people in decision-making processes, created a new platform for dialogue in local governance. However, no matter how well-designed a strategic plan or KPI framework may be, if it does not reflect the real voice of civil society and the interests and needs of young people, such plans will remain on paper. For the ‘Yuksalish’ Movement, this project is a means of transforming the governance system into real-life reforms by enriching it with the human factor and public participation,” said Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of the “Yuksalish” Movement.
Participants also discussed priority tasks for expanding the programme in 2026, focusing on three main areas:
- institutionalizing results-based governance and budgeting at the local level;
- strengthening the use of accurate data and evidence in decision-making for the delivery of public and social services;
- expanding youth participation in local planning and decision-making processes.
Attention was also paid to developing the activities of youth advisory groups, expanding youth-led consultations, strengthening risk management, donor oversight and coordination among partners.
“The true effectiveness of local governance is reflected in the extent to which it improves the lives of children and young people. By strengthening planning, budgeting, citizen participation and accountability mechanisms, this programme is helping to create an environment where every child and young person’s voice is heard and supported, and where they have opportunities to realize their potential,” said Geoffrey Ijumba, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Uzbekistan.
Launched in October 2024, the programme will be implemented until December 2028 in 12 pilot districts and cities across Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Khorezm and Tashkent regions. All activities carried out with the direct participation of young people are aimed at strengthening inclusive, accountable and results-based local governance systems that respond to the needs of children, adolescents, youth, women, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
Contacts for media representatives:
Hayotullo Ismoilov Public Diplomacy Officer Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan Phone: +998 90 976 01 48 Email: [email protected] | Muslimbek Akramov Press Secretary “Yuksalish” Movement Phone: +998 90 001 85 56 Email: [email protected] |
Nargiza Egamberdiyeva Communications Consultant UNICEF Uzbekistan Phone: +998 93 380 34 19 Email: [email protected] | Ravshan Soliev Local Governance Project Manager UNDP Uzbekistan Phone: +998 93 501 26 76 Email: [email protected] |
