LocationsUzbekistan Launches New Phase of GEF Small Grants Programme to Scale Community-Led Environmental Solutions
June 4, 2026
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 4 June 2026 – The Government of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) today launched the Eighth Operational Phase (OP8) of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Uzbekistan during a high-level side event at Eco Expo Central Asia and the Eighth GEF Assembly in Samarkand.
The launch reaffirms a shared commitment to strengthening locally led environmental action and expanding the role of civil society organizations, local communities, academia, and grassroots innovators in addressing environmental and climate challenges across the country.
A Joint Declaration signed by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and UNDP marks a new stage in cooperation to support innovative, inclusive, and community-driven environmental solutions aligned with Uzbekistan’s sustainable development and climate priorities.
“Environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and water scarcity require action at all levels. While strong national leadership is essential, many of the most practical and innovative solutions emerge from communities themselves,” said Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan. “Through the Small Grants Programme, local actors are not only beneficiaries of environmental action—they are drivers of innovation, implementation, and sustainable change.”
Implemented in Uzbekistan since 2008, the GEF Small Grants Programme has supported more than 100 community-based initiatives across the country. These projects have contributed to biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and water management, climate resilience, renewable energy, ecosystem restoration, and environmental awareness, while also creating social and economic benefits for local communities.
Over the years, SGP-supported initiatives have helped improve sustainable land management practices on more than 5,000 hectares, facilitated the planting of over 157,000 trees, reduced or avoided approximately 39,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, saved more than 43 million cubic metres of water, and contributed to the expansion of protected and conserved areas by approximately 11,000 hectares.
Speaking at the event, Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, highlighted the importance of community engagement in addressing environmental challenges and advancing Uzbekistan’s green development agenda.
“Experience has shown that relatively modest investments can generate significant environmental, social, and economic returns when local communities are empowered to take action,” he noted. “Community-based initiatives not only improve environmental outcomes but also strengthen local resilience, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and generate valuable lessons for national policy and practice.”
The launch event brought together representatives of government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, researchers, and practitioners to discuss lessons learned from locally led environmental initiatives and explore opportunities for replication and scale-up.
Operational Phase 8 will build on the programme’s achievements while placing stronger emphasis on landscape-based approaches, innovation, knowledge exchange, partnerships, and the scaling of successful community-led solutions. Particular attention will be given to strengthening the participation of women, youth, local communities, and vulnerable groups in environmental decision-making and implementation.
As Uzbekistan continues advancing its commitments on climate action, biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and green development, the new phase of the programme will help strengthen partnerships between government institutions, civil society organizations, local communities, academia, and development partners to deliver practical environmental solutions where they are needed most.
About the GEF Small Grants Programme
The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) was launched in 1992 as the GEF’s flagship initiative for supporting civil society and community-based organizations in addressing global environmental challenges through locally led action. Operating in more than 130 countries worldwide, the programme supports innovative community initiatives that generate environmental benefits while contributing to sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
