The UN Joint Programme on Inclusive Transformation for Youth and Child-Friendly Local Governance was launched in Uzbekistan on April 10, supported by UNICEF, UNDP, the Yuksalish Movement, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, with government, civil society, and international partners in attendance.
Building on the success of the pilot Youth and Child-Friendly Local Governance initiative, which was implemented in six cities from 2022 to 2023, the new programme will expand its reach. The pilot demonstrated the positive impact of youth engagement, leading to improvements in road safety, environmental initiatives, and services for youth with disabilities.
This new phase will cover 12 districts in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Khorezm, and Tashkent regions, focusing on communities with diverse socio-economic conditions and vulnerable groups.
"This UN Joint Programme is the result of our shared vision for a more inclusive, equitable, and youth-empowered Uzbekistan. It reflects our joint commitment from government, UN agencies, civil society, and international partners to build local governance systems that are results-oriented, transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of children and young people," Regina Castillo, UNICEF Uzbekistan Representative, highlighted the programme's core purpose.
With a contribution of $2mn from the Swiss government, the programme aims to enhance local governance structures, ensuring they meet the needs of children and youth.
Andrin Fink, Head of Cooperation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
"This is a crucial step in strengthening inclusive local governance. Switzerland remains committed to supporting reforms that empower young people, enhance local authority accountability, and create equitable opportunities for children and youth."
In alignment with Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms, such as the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy and the national Youth Strategy, the programme will promote inclusive, accountable, and responsive local governance. It aims to integrate children and youth into decision-making processes while improving access to quality local services.
Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of the Yuksalish Movement, emphasized that the programme aligns with Uzbekistan's reform agenda by addressing service gaps and promoting inclusive governance for children and youth.
The programme will focus on enhancing legislative and institutional frameworks for results-based management and budgeting at the subnational level. Local authorities will be empowered to allocate and monitor resources more effectively and transparently.
By incorporating evidence-based decision-making, participatory planning, and performance monitoring, the programme seeks to ensure that investments lead to improved outcomes for children, adolescents, and their families, further contributing to Uzbekistan's long-term sustainable development.
“With our extensive experience in transforming governance structures, we are confident this programme will create an enabling environment where young people are empowered to drive meaningful change in their communities,” Akiko Fujii, Resident Representative of UNDP Uzbekistan, voiced.
Drawing on global best practices, the programme will help local authorities adopt results-based planning, strengthen youth participation, and build civil servants' skills in inclusive governance, laying a strong foundation for an inclusive, equitable future for Uzbekistan’s next generation.
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