Upskilling in Resource Mobilization for the sustainable development of the Aral Sea region

December 4, 2023
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

In order to ensure the fulfillment of the tasks defined by the Resolution No.41 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On additional measures to turn the Aral Sea region into a territory of environmental innovations and technologies" dated 25 January 2022, we jointly with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on 29 November – 1 December, organized training on "Resource mobilization and proposal writing course" in Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region as part of the implementation of programs and projects aimed at the sustainable development of the Aral Sea region.

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

We have organized the training given the importance of civil servants having good skills of the preparation of project proposals for the implementation of this resolution. The training served a platform for 40 representatives of all relevant ministries to have a conversation about the problems encountered in the process of developing the projects, shortcomings, strategies for developing an individual roadmap to solve them.

The participants, divided into groups, prepared simplified project proposals covering the knowledge gained on topical issues identified in the decision, namely the prospects for attracting financial and technical support in the Aral Sea region, and presented them to working groups, which include international partners.

Underscoring the importance of the problems of the Aral Sea region, Anas Fayyad Qarman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative noted, 

“We believe that the integrated roadmap offers a number of solutions to solve the problems of the Aral Sea region. The roadmap should become a single tool for effective monitoring of all initiatives in the region.”
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

During the training, Izzatbek Juraev, representative of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted the urgency of the problems of the Aral Sea region, and said,

“Our common goal is to turn the Aral Sea region into a zone of environmental innovation and technology”.

As a result, the participants of the training learned:

  • different ways of resource mobilization;
  • the principles of project development and proposal writing;
  • drafting procedures;
  • to write an effective proposal according to the donor’s requirements;
  • acquired knowledge such as the use of the monitoring and evaluation system (M&E) in the development of the proposal.

On the last day of the training, the participants presented their projects to the working groups on sustainable development of the Aral Sea region. Representatives of the working groups, based on the experience of foreign countries made their suggestions and consultations on these projects.

Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan

One of the participants of the training said:

“This training is a unique opportunity for us to understand and discuss current issues related to the environmental crisis in the Aral Sea region. We are glad that we are contributing to the development of new approaches to solving problems related to the sustainable development of the region, especially for the empowerment of young people.”

The trainings were organized as part of the joint programme of UNDP, UNICEF and FAO "Empowering youth towards a brighter future through green and innovative development of the Aral Sea region", funded by Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan.