In a bid to bolster Tajikistan's efforts in technical and vocational education, training, and employment reforms, the European Union (EU) has unveiled an upgraded long-term assistance program. The initiative, announced through a press release by the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, introduces a new cooperation model aimed at accelerating national reforms in these critical areas, ASIA-Plus reported.
A substantial financial envelope of €29.8 mn has been agreed upon between Tajikistan and the EU, with three additional yearly disbursements scheduled until 2026. These funds will complement capacity-building efforts and technical assistance provided to the Tajik Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population, as well as the Ministry of Finance.
Under the EU grant budget support program, annual fund transfers to cooperation partners are subject to certain conditions. These include satisfactory progress in the implementation of Tajikistan's National Strategy for Education Development 2030 and the Program for Professional Training of Citizens 2021-2025. Additionally, adherence to stability-oriented macroeconomic policies, progress in public financial management reforms, and the availability of comprehensive budgetary information are crucial for continued support.
The next disbursement, amounting to €10 mn, is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024, contingent upon agreed progress in the implementation of Tajikistan's strategies and priority reform actions within defined timelines.
In September 2023, the EU initiated a capacity-building project on public finance management in Tajikistan, with a budget of nearly €3 mn. This project builds upon previous multimillion-dollar assistance in the same field. Moreover, regional EU financing enables collaboration at the regional level, benefiting Tajikistan through initiatives such as capacity building of the Supreme Audit Institution and EU co-financing of regional capacity-building programs led by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Earlier Daryo reported that under the project "Stabilization of the Southern border of Tajikistan with Afghanistan," funded by the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has provided training for 84 officers from the Border Guard of Tajikistan.
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