LocationsSupporting a safer digital future for young people in Uzbekistan
July 31, 2026
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 2026 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with the Department for Combatting Cybercrime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, have concluded the Joint Programme Strengthening Resilience of Youth to Cybercrime and Digital Violence in Uzbekistan. Implemented from February 2025 to July 2026 with financial support from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), the programme supported Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen prevention of cybercrime and digital violence affecting young people through stronger institutions, better digital education and greater community engagement.
The programme was developed in response to the rapid growth of digital technologies and online services in Uzbekistan, which has created new opportunities for education, communication and economic development, while also increasing young people's exposure to cybercrime, online fraud, cyberbullying and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Using the Human Security Approach, the initiative brought together government institutions, educators, law enforcement, civil society, volunteers and young people to strengthen both prevention and response.
During its implementation, the programme directly reached more than 100,000 people, including young women and men, teachers, law enforcement officers, community representatives and civil society organizations. It established two national mechanisms that will continue supporting digital safety beyond the programme: a pilot Youth Cybercrime Prevention Centre in Tashkent and a virtual Resource and Methodological Centre. In addition, a new e-learning platform was launched with six interactive training modules covering 29 topics and seven video lessons on cyber threats and digital violence, making practical learning resources available to young people and professionals across the country.
A strong focus was placed on building national capacities. More than 150 professionals -including law enforcement officers, teachers and mahalla representatives - received specialized training to better prevent, identify and respond to cybercrime and online violence. International guidance and educational materials were translated and adapted into Uzbek and Russian, while new research on technology-facilitated gender-based violence provided evidence and recommendations to strengthen legislation, survivor support and institutional coordination.
The programme also invested in youth leadership and community engagement. More than 470 young people participated in Model United Nations conferences focused on cyber safety and emerging digital threats, while 50 UN Volunteers helped deliver digital literacy activities to vulnerable young people in local communities. To encourage peer-to-peer awareness, the programme organized a national competition that resulted in 16 youth-produced public service announcements being broadcast on national television, digital school screens and social media platforms.
An important achievement of the programme was the establishment of stronger coordination between institutions working on cybercrime prevention. Through an inter-agency working group, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations and development partners worked together to improve cooperation, share expertise and develop coordinated responses to emerging digital threats affecting young people.
While the programme has come to an end, many of its results will continue through national institutions. The online learning platform, educational materials, trained instructors, research products and institutional partnerships provide a foundation for continued efforts to strengthen digital literacy, promote safe online behaviour and improve protection from cybercrime and digital violence in Uzbekistan.
The Joint Programme was implemented by UNODC, as the lead agency, and UNDP in partnership with the Department for Combatting Cybercrime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, UZINFOCOM, the Youth Affairs Agency, the National Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan, the Mahalla Association, Westminster International University in Tashkent, NGO Barqaror Hayot and other national partners. It was funded by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS).
