Acted’s historic footprint in Uzbekistan showcases its long-standing commitment to the country development and well-being. Acted has been present in Uzbekistan since 1999 and implements nationwide projects that promote sustainable development opportunities to address the country’s main challenges. Acted’s programmes focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of partners, stakeholders and communities. As a result, Acted has longstanding partnerships with local communities, government agencies, civil society and international development partners.
Uzbekistan is a resource-rich, double-landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia, which faces various humanitarian and development challenges, further exacerbated by the impact of climate change. The country is facing increasing water scarcity, due to declining water levels in rivers and lakes, as well as increased demand for water for agriculture, industry and households; desertification due to deforestation, overgrazing and soil degradation; and declining crop yields, due to rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation, which result in lower crop productivity. Overall, the ineffective management of natural resources in Uzbekistan aggravates the effects of climate change, negatively affecting both the human population and the country’s precious biodiversity.
Acted in Uzbekistan
For Zero Carbon strategic pillar Acted continuously develop green programming – responding to the challenges posed by climate change in Uzbekistan.
At the government level, Acted advocates for improved policy space on the green economy and promoting eco-tourism, including through establishing eco-certification schemes.
At the civil society level, Acted is working to strengthen the capacities of CSOs to protect biodiversity, by supporting civil society structures to effectively involve themselves and their communities in this field and to improve their cooperation with government agencies responsible for implementing national biodiversity strategies.
Finally, at the internal organisational level, Acted strives to reduce the carbon footprint of its activities in Uzbekistan and attract green financing.
Within the Zero Poverty strategic pillar Acted has been supporting the capacity of civil society to enhance labor and employment rights for vulnerable citizens and to advance transformative economic reform in Uzbekistan, aimed at enhancing labor rights and economic reform through civil society engagement with a focus on women’s labor rights.
Moreover, Acted is developing its programming on sustainable, inclusive economic growth across Uzbekistan. This includes comprehensive programmes to strengthen existing value chains and foster sustainable economic growth, especially in rural communities. Acted seeks to ensure that these programmes create inclusive opportunities, especially for small entrepreneurs and with a focus on women.
Acted strives to: reduce the carbon footprint of our operations; ensure sustainable energy supply through business development for green energy; attract green financing; continue advocating for improved policy for the green economy; and promoting eco-tourism.
In Uzbekistan, Acted plays a leading role in strengthening local actors’ capacities to prevent gender-based and domestic violence and foster inclusive development by focusing on advancing women’s rights. To achieve this objective within the Zero Exclusion strategic pillar, Acted is encouraging the involvement of its local partners and civil society organisations by raising their awareness of the need to protect gender equality and social inclusion.
Acted’s conceptual approach to effective governance is based upon an empowered, pluralistic civil society, social cohesion, and effective and responsive public institutions, with the goal of developing and enhancing local civil society and social accountability mechanisms.
Main sectors of intervention:
● Civil Society Development
● Transparent and Effective Governance
● Advancing women’s rights and preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
● Labour Rights
● Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
● Inclusive Rural Development
● Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
● Green economy and climate change
● Sustainable and Fair Green Transition
● Biodiversity protection
In the Surkhandarya region, over 30 women received equipment for sewing, baking, beauty services, agriculture, and rural infrastructure development, including cafeterias, photography, printing, and IT service
A national workshop was held in Fergana to launch the STREAM project, gathering governmental representatives and NGOs to discuss the importance of gender approach in integrated water resources management in Fergana province
A practical session was conducted for representatives of NGOs on growing pistachio seedlings and poplar seedlings in the Tashkent region
Acted Uzbekistan conducted a training to local NGOs on public relations, strategies, and community engagement to ensure effective biodiversity conservation action
The 3ZERO in Uzbekistan
Zero Carbon: Supporting Biodiversity Conservation
To respond to the challenges of climate change in Uzbekistan, Acted supports CSOs capacities to ensure a conservation action in the country. This initiative empowers CSOs to operate autonomously and replicate successful environmental initiatives, ensuring long-term impact. Additionally, the project supports CSOs in advocating for their environmental priorities and strengthening their engagement with governmental bodies and environmental institutions at the national level. Through targeted capacity-building training, the project aligns CSO efforts with biodiversity conservation, deepening their understanding of conservation outcomes and contributing to sustainable environmental stewardship.
Zero Poverty: Fostering Sustainable, Inclusive Economic Growth
Acted is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth by advocating for green economy policies and supporting MSMEs in the CBT sector. A regional FCDO-funded project is promoting constructive dialogue between CSOs and the government, driving evidence-based economic development. Additionally, in collaboration with Mercy Corps, Acted addresses critical WASH needs in Surkhandarya region’s preschools as part of a broader Rural Infrastructure Development Project.
Zero Exclusion: Strengthening Civil Society and Good Governance
Acted Uzbekistan is dedicated to enhancing the technical, financial, and operational capacities of CSOs. Supported by USDRL, we empower civil society to advocate for the labor and employment rights of vulnerable populations. A USAID-funded regional project strengthens integrated water resource management and promotes active participation by CSOs and women. Through the support of AFD and SDC, Acted is also leading initiatives to combat gender-based and domestic violence, while advancing women’s rights across the country.