Strengthening local governance and civic space in Uzbekistan

The new constitution and the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, adopted in 2023, confirm Uzbekistan's reform path initiated in 2016 and renew the country's commitments towards a citizen-centered and right-based state. Emphasis is on stronger local governance and services at decentralized levels (with a focus on Mahallas), human rights, civil society and advancement of gender equatlity. The recent domestic violence legislation shows significant progress in gender equality and the space for media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has increased. However, there are also setbacks and substantive challenges remain in the daily lives of people. The centralized power system leads to mismatches in decision-making and functional responsibilities in local governance. There is lack of transparency, accountability and genuine citizen's engagement, with young people and vulnerable groups having the weakest voice. Women continue to experience violence and discrimination in the conservative environment of local communities. CSO work, despite the recent positive developments, remains restricted by heavy regulative requirements, strongly controlling all CSO activities.

The volatility between political opening and closing provides a strong momentum for supporting the effective implementation of reforms and help ensure that the opening process will continue while political stability can be maintained. Responding to this complex context, SDC's governance programme builds on three pillars strengthening inclusive local governance (youth focus), gender equality and gender-base violence (GBV) prevention, and civic space. This shall ensure that reform implementation will be inclusive and result in actual changes also for the people at local level.

Main target groups on the duty bearer side are local  authorities  and  government  bodies (khokhimiyats, kengashes, mahallas) benefitting from capacity building in the three focus regions. 

Beneficiaries on the right holder's side are (1) young women and men, women survivors and at risk  of  violence  and  excluded  groups  as identified  by  local community  assessments,  as well (2) civil society and civic space actors and human rights defenders.  

Outcome  1:  Local  governance  bodies  are strengthened  and  accountable  to  develop inclusive policies  that  improve access to public and  social  services  for everyone,  and promote civic engagement of children and young people 

Outcome  2:  Community  members,  particularly vulnerable  women,  benefit  from  increased effectiveness  of GBV prevention and response mechanisms,  are  empowered  and  better-capacitated to generate resilient income 

Outcome 3: Civic space actors are empowered and  develop  their  own  agendas  to  protect fundamental  freedoms,  civil  liberties,  and women and human rights 

Expected results:  

• Policy,  legal  and  institutional  frameworks  institutionalize Result-based  Management  (RBM)  and  Result-based Budgeting (RBB) at local level. 
• Platforms for meaningful youth engagement at local level are strengthened. 
• Frontline  service  providers  have  improved  skills  for  GBV services, monitor the GBV  legislation and raise awareness on negative societal norms 
• Policy-level  initiatives  advocate  for  improved  legal framework and enabling environment for CS actors. 
• Local  CSOs  partners  actively  participate  in  and  influence decision-making processes at local and national levels. 

Results from previous phases:   Previous projects (with UNICEF, ACTED) showed that space at local level exists to effectively work with local authorities, strengthen citizen and youth engagement, despite the centralized political structure. The local and nationwide gender  advocacy networks built were key in influencing the new Gender-based Violence (GBV) policies. Engaging with a variety of CSO's proofed that civic space in the country is vibrant, but fragile. Funding of independent CSO requires an adaptive and agile approach (incl. on financial management).