World Bank Document

Annex J:  CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND GENDER MAINSTREAMING 

 

 

A.  Citizen engagement 

 

Situation analysis 

 

1. 

While citizen engagement in Uzbekistan is constrained by limited access to information 

and insufficient channels for participation, several changes made to the legal framework in 2014 

could modify relations between the state and civil society. For example, the Regulation on the 

Procedure for State Registration of Non-Governmental and Non-Commercial Organizations 

established a simplified process and reduced the complexity and frequency of reports required by the 

Ministry of Justice, but it also introduced procedures to block foreign funding and a requirement for 

foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to seek re-registration. Also in 2014, the President 

signed a Law on the Introduction of Amendments to the Constitution aimed at strengthening good 

governance, which may enable new processes for citizen participation. Meanwhile, a Law on 

Openness of Activities of Governmental Bodies requires enhanced transparency and accessibility to 

information about government actions

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; and a Law on Social Partnerships creates a framework for 

cooperation between government bodies and civil society organizations (CSOs) by allowing for the 

establishment of public funds and public commissions at the local level. While the impact to date of 

these regulatory reforms is unclear, they may provide an opportunity for community-driven 

development interventions and hybrid public-private social service provision that could enhance 

stakeholder participation in local development. They may also improve access to information on the 

functions and services of government.