The Center was established within the framework of the regional project Promoting Resilient Communities to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia, jointly implemented by the Government of Japan and UNDP in close partnership with national and local authorities. 

The opening ceremony brought together national and local officials, youth representatives, development partners, and members of the diplomatic community, including Denizbek Raimkulov, Head of Min-Bulak Ayil Okmotu; H.E. Hirano Ryuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic; Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative; and local authorities.

The Youth Center in Min-Bulak is part of a broader initiative implemented across five municipalities in Kyrgyzstan: Kerben, Cholpon-Ata, Kadamzhai, Osh, and Min-Bulak (Chui oblast), aimed at improving access to safe, inclusive youth spaces and institutionalizing youth participation in local governance.

The project has strengthened youth engagement and local governance across the five pilot municipalities, with more than 350 young people enhancing their skills in civic engagement, mediation, religious literacy, and prevention of violent extremism. As a result of this participatory process, five Youth Action Plans were developed and formally endorsed by local governments. All five municipalities allocated local budget resources to support youth-led initiatives, reinforcing sustainability and institutional ownership.

These investments combine infrastructure with capacity development, dialogue platforms, and small grants for youth-led initiatives, reinforcing long-term sustainability and municipal ownership.

In his welcoming address, the Akim of the Min-Bulak Aiyl Aimak noted: 

"This center creates modern conditions for our youth, providing ample opportunities for knowledge acquisition, self-development, creativity, and the implementation of innovative initiatives. I am confident that here young people will be able to gain new knowledge, gain experience, and lay a solid foundation for their future professional careers."

H.E. Ambassador Hirano Ryuichi reaffirmed Japan’s strong commitment to supporting youth empowerment and social cohesion in Kyrgyzstan and across Central Asia, noting that prevention through education, employment, and community engagement remains a cornerstone of Japan’s development cooperation. 

“Addressing shared regional challenges requires cross-border cooperation grounded in the principles of human security. From this perspective, Japan has supported this project based on the belief that preventive approaches through education, employment, and community engagement form a critical foundation for unlocking the potential of young people and strengthening social cohesion within communities. I sincerely hope that the dialogue and youth-led initiatives emerging from this center will contribute to shaping a stronger, more inclusive future for the community.”

UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovieva highlighted the importance of embedding youth participation into governance systems: 

“UNDP helps create opportunities for young people through education, employment, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, and participation in decision-making. This approach contributes to the achievement of sustainable development goals and the strengthening of social cohesion.”

She noted that the project supports government initiatives to engage with youth. The registration of youth committees and the allocation of budgetary funds by local authorities create the structural conditions for sustainable communities and economic growth.

The project applies a prevention-oriented, conflict-sensitive methodology aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security and with the national youth policy frameworks of Kyrgyzstan.

By integrating youth leadership into local governance processes and allocating municipal co-financing, Kyrgyzstan is advancing a sustainable model of community resilience grounded in opportunity, participation, and shared responsibility.