LocationsEU and UNDP Deliver New Sports and Water Facilities in Chorkesar, Namangan Region
September 21, 2026
Chorkesar, Namangan Region, Uzbekistan | On 16 September 2026 residents of Chorkesar community in Namangan region gathered to celebrate the official opening of upgraded facilities at School No. 3 - a modern football pitch, volleyball court and water treatment system. The improvement of facilities was possible thanks to the project "Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia (Phase III)," implemented jointly by UNDP and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and funded by the European Union (EU).
The newly inaugurated facilities were selected following an earlier community vote, in which local residents chose the needs they considered most important. New sports facilities will give students and local residents safer and more comfortable places to exercise, socialize and spend their free time. The newly installed water treatment system will provide recycled water for school garden. This work demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, national stakeholders and international partners - including the EU, UNDP and OSCE - work together around local needs.
"For our students, these new facilities mean much more than improved infrastructure. They provide a safe and healthy environment where children can learn, play sports, and develop their potential," said Odiljon Nishonov, Principal of School No. 3 in Chorkesar. "Access to modern sports grounds and better learning conditions will have a lasting positive impact on our students and the wider community."
For decades, communities in former uranium mining areas, such as Chorkesar district, across Central Asia have faced environmental, social, and economic challenges linked to uranium legacy sites. While physical remediation efforts are critical for reducing environmental risks, sustainable recovery also requires investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen local services, and create opportunities for future generations. Chorkesar is demonstrating how this integrated approach can help communities transition from vulnerability to resilience.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the project is supporting local entrepreneurs through community-driven grants aimed at strengthening income opportunities in Chorkesar. Some of the examples include a women and children's wellness center, innovative beekeeping, packing of dried fruits, almonds processing and packing, dairy processing and a sewing business. These initiatives are expected to create jobs, stimulate local economic activity, and contribute to long-term community development.
About the Project
The project "Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia (Phase III)" is implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by UNDP and OSCE funded by the European Union. The initiative supports communities affected by uranium legacy sites through stakeholder engagement, community-led development, and measures that strengthen environmental safety, resilience, and sustainable economic opportunities.
