Local-led progress on the ground

The scale of the SRD project’s community development results has been remarkable. Across the 170 engaged communities, it is estimated that the infrastructure development work which has been implemented (or is now being carried out) will benefit over 700 000 citizens.

While there isn’t space here to present the experiences of all communities in the four targeted regions, we’ve brought together snapshots of considerable progress the SRD project has achieved by leveraging community Initiative Groups. 

In the Yangi Makon mahalla of Karakalpakstan’s Takhiatash district, which has been deeply impacted by the Aral Sea’s disappearance, the focus is on making infrastructure improvements needed to give local citizens a better standard of life. Alongside establishing new local facilities, including a sports ground and library, the mahalla is also installing new water pipelines for delivering potable water to individual homes.

As the community Initiative Group leader Khaitboy Khalillayev shared, the work has only been successful due to sustained communication with fellow residents. He remarked, “I believe that trust within the mahalla is only built through transparency. In my view, if every resident receives clear and accurate information, this leads to good communication.”

Another compelling example of a community leveraging the SRD project’s assistance is the Varq mahalla, in the Navoi region’s Karmana district. “I have been actively working together with our community council to address our residents’ long-standing problems, needs and suggestions,” said mahalla chairperson Nurali Holiqov. “Together, we strive toward a common goal of ensuring a better and more prosperous life for our community.”

As with every development plan created in the four pilot regions, goals for the Varq mahalla combined insights from local business and community leaders. The community has been reconstructing a local gas network supplying 256 homes, digging a new well, and building an exercise playground and kindergarten. It has also replaced 95 old streetlights, installed new security cameras and traffic lights, paved pedestrian sidewalks, improved public transport, and set up new social infrastructures. 

These significant improvements have been mirrored by work done in the Kunji-qal’a mahalla of the Bukhara region, led by mahalla chairperson Guliniso Izomova, and by dozens of other communities in the target districts. General livelihoods have improved, while standard of living gaps have been closed.

In total the 170 target communities have repaired 168 roads, while 147 have enhanced their electricity grids. Additionally,128 public schools and 89 preschools have been renovated or newly constructed. Other outcomes have included new irrigation systems, pedestrian pavements, street and bridge lighting, and investments in green job creation. 895 sub-projects are being implemented, supporting infrastructure development and making better living conditions in rural areas.

In parallel, communities in the Karakalpakstan and Bukhara regions have made improvements using independently attracted funds. With monies secured through the aforementioned Uzbekistan’s ‘Open Budget’ platform, many communities have improved their public infrastructure. In Karakalpakstan 10.5km of roads were paved with gravel-sand mixture and 2.5km were asphalted, while a transformer was installed to improve electricity supply. Likewise, in the Bukhara region, 13.1km of roads in three mahallas were asphalted using this funding. 

These self-reliant achievements show how empowering community members, and creating access to independent financing, lets them address their most pressing challenges effectively and independently – now and into the future.