Uzbekistan has achieved impressive results in reducing poverty from 24% in 2000 to 12.5% in 2020. Yet, despite such progress, economic gains have been unequally distributed and were accompanied by low productivity growth. There are imbalances between and within regions and districts, socio-economic groups, urban and rural areas, as well as between women and men. The youth under 30 years comprise over half (55%) of the total population and about 600,000 youths enter the labour market annually. However, the economy has not been able to absorb the rapidly growing youth population, resulting in a 17% (2020) youth unemployment rate.

Digitialization offers much potential to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. However, digital skills and internet access are often lacking and there is a large gender and rural-urban digital divide. The Government’s recently launched ambitious “Digital Uzbekistan 2030” strategy underpins the strong political will with regard to youth empowerment to embrace digital skills development and entrepreneurship.

The project will provide digital and entrepreneurship skills for around 10,000 direct beneficiaries who are aiming at self-employment or employment in digital economy sectors, whereby young women and men are equally targeted. Furthermore it will strengthen 3’000 youth-led micro or small enterprises.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction is the main partner and national implementer.

Outcome 1: Digital entrepreneurship environment and digital skills of young entrepreneurs are enhanced.

Outcome 2: Institutional capacities for developing the digital economy and digital entrepreneurship ecosystem with a focus on youth are strengthened.

Outcome 3: Youth’s financial inclusion and opportunities for nurturing digital entrepreneurship projects and start-ups, are improved.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• 10’000 youth trained in digital entrepreneurship
• 3’000 young entrepreneurs obtained Business Development Services
• 150 young entrepreneurs received mentorships
• 120 young woman participated in the internship program
• Enhanced capacities of public institutions implement digital economy policies focused on youth
• Strengthened institutional capacities for developing youth digital entrepreneurship programs
• Innovative solutions for nurturing digital entrepreneurship projects and startups

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

This is a first and single Phase contribution to a new UNDP Project. However, relevant experiences helped designing the Project, including from:

• Government initiatives such as the creation of young entrepreneurship clusters or the establishment of youth innovation centers and Technoparks
• UNDP’s work on several projects in the employment and skills development area
• Switzerland’s long term experiences in nurturing digital start-ups, for example as promoted by “Digital Switzerland” and the support to the ICT4girls initiative (small action)