Through the regional initiative "Strengthening Community Resilience to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia," UNDP is supporting a growing network of youth centres and community platforms that provide safe and inclusive spaces where young women and men can develop skills, build social connections and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. Implemented across five pilot municipalities:Kadamzhai, Osh, Kerben, Cholpon-Ata and Alexandrovka (Min-Bulak)-the initiative strengthens community resilience, promotes social cohesion and enhances national capacities to prevent violent extremism through inclusive, locally led development. 

The success of this initiative reflects the strong strategic partnership between the Government of Japan and UNDP. Through regular high-level consultations and close engagement with the Embassy of Japan, both partners have worked together to ensure that investments respond to national priorities and deliver sustainable results for young people and local communities. The opening of the Youth of Osh Creative Hub marks an important milestone in this shared commitment to advancing peace, resilience and human security in Kyrgyzstan. 

Japan's investment extends beyond infrastructure. By combining safe youth spaces with leadership development, civic participation and strong local ownership, the initiative creates sustainable opportunities for young people to become active contributors to peace, resilience and community development. 

At the opening ceremony, Hirano Ryuichi, H.E. Ambassador stated:

 “We hope that this will inspire young people to play an active role in society, participate in local decision-making, and strengthen mutual understanding, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for the city of Osh.” 

Rather than focusing solely on preventing risks, the initiative invests in young people's potential. It equips youth with leadership, entrepreneurship, digital and civic engagement skills while creating opportunities to participate in local decision-making and community development. In Osh alone, more than 100 young women and men have strengthened their capacities in youth leadership, social innovation, media literacy and civic participation, laying the foundation for youth-led initiatives that respond to local needs. Across all five pilot municipalities, youth are becoming active partners in designing local solutions, strengthening dialogue with public institutions and contributing to more inclusive governance. 

"Our partnership with the Government of Japan demonstrates how sustained strategic dialogue, combined with long-term investment in young people, can create lasting foundations for peace and resilience. Together, we are empowering youth not only to participate in development, but to develop skills, build enterprises and contribute to local communities" said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative," said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative.  

A flagship achievement of the initiative is the opening of the Youth of Osh Creative Hub, a vibrant youth-led space established with the support of the Government of Japan, UNDP and development partners. The Hub provides young people with access to modern digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship support and collaborative spaces where ideas can be transformed into community initiatives. It also serves as a platform for dialogue, volunteerism and innovation, strengthening cooperation between young people, local authorities and civil society while fostering trust and social cohesion. 

Aligned with the National Development Programme of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030, the Concept of State Youth Policy (2020–2030) and the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (UN Security Council Resolution 2250), the initiative addresses the root causes of marginalization by expanding opportunities for participation, strengthening trust between communities and public institutions, and promoting conflict-sensitive local development. By investing in young people as partners in development, the project contributes to stronger institutions, more cohesive communities and greater resilience. 

The initiative demonstrates how strategic investment in youth generates lasting peace dividends. As the network of youth centres continues to expand, it is evolving into a scalable national model for youth empowerment, enabling young women and men to become innovators, community leaders and drivers of sustainable development. Through their longstanding partnership, the Government of Japan and UNDP are investing in the next generation of leaders—advancing Human Security, strengthening social cohesion and helping build a more peaceful, resilient and prosperous future for Kyrgyzstan and the wider Central Asian region.