LocationsLocal communities’ voices at the heart of rural infrastructure development decisions
September 30, 2026
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), held a round table in Tashkent dedicated to the findings of an in-depth assessment and the Concept Note on Conducting Participatory Needs Assessments (PNA).
The round table brought together representatives of government institutions, regional and local authorities, IsDB, UNDP, international organisations and financial institutions, non-governmental organisations, local communities and project experts. The meeting aimed to discuss the key findings of the Concept Note, the participatory needs assessment approach, and next steps for rural development driven by communities’ own initiatives.
The assessment covered Samarkand, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions and examined existing approaches to community participation, the identification and prioritisation of local needs, and their integration into development planning.
The assessment showed that existing mechanisms already provide for the participation of government institutions, khokimiats, mahallas, utility service providers and local communities. At the same time, the targeted participation of vulnerable groups, NGOs and business representatives remains limited. As a result, social inclusion, local economic development and private-sector interests may not be fully reflected when infrastructure priorities are determined.
“Participatory needs assessment is not only a way to better understand local priorities. It empowers communities, gives people a stronger voice in decision-making and helps direct resources to where they are needed most. This approach makes development more inclusive, targeted and grounded in the real needs of people themselves,” said Anas Fayyad Qarman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, during the event.
The preparation of the Concept Note included a review of legislation, policy documents and methodological approaches, as well as international experience from IsDB, the World Bank, UNDP, ACTED, GIZ and the European Union. In June 2026, consultations were held in Tashkent and in Samarkand, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions with representatives of government institutions, mahallas, civil society and local communities.
The proposed approach places local communities at the centre of decision-making, combining residents’ knowledge and lived experience with technical, institutional and socio-economic evidence. Particular attention is given to broader participation by women, young people, persons with disabilities and other groups that may be underrepresented in decision-making processes.
The Concept Note recommends using a flexible set of tools, ranging from community meetings and focus groups to surveys, social mapping, field observations and priority ranking. Needs are proposed to be assessed against criteria such as urgency, the number of people affected, expected impact, feasibility and available resources.
One of the central recommendations is to move from a predominantly consultation-based approach towards a more structured decision-support mechanism for territorial investment planning. This approach is intended to link community priorities with technical feasibility, available resources, institutional responsibilities and development objectives, creating a more transparent, inclusive and evidence-informed basis for investment in rural infrastructure.
The proposals and recommendations discussed during the round table will be documented and shared with participants for further follow-up.
The Concept Note on Conducting Participatory Needs Assessments is available here.
The event was organised under the Integrated Rural Development joint project of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP, financed by the Islamic Development Bank.
For further information:
Bekhzod Umarov, Public Relations Specialist, UNDP Integrated Rural Development Project
Tel.: +998 93 501 47 37
Email: bekhzod.umarov@undp.org
