NEW UZBEKISTAN AND CIVIL SOCIETY: STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

In New Uzbekistan, comprehensive reforms are being carried out to establish a free and empowered civil society.

From 2017 to 2024, 64 regulatory legal documents were adopted to directly support civil society institutions and enhance their effectiveness, establishing a solid legal and institutional framework for their overall support.

The President, in this regard, highlighted that "providing the necessary conditions for the free operation of civil society institutions, promoting their active role in state and community governance, and further improving mechanisms of state support will remain a central focus."

New Uzbekistan and civil society: constitutional-legal and organizational foundations

Significant steps have been taken to enhance the effectiveness of civil society institutions in New Uzbekistan.

Firstly, The newly revised Constitution includes a dedicated chapter on civil society, titled "Institutions of Civil Society" (Chapter XIII). Notably, Article 69 establishes that "Institutions of civil society including public associations and other non-governmental non-profit organizations, bodies of self-government of citizens, and the mass media shall form the basis of civil society."

The most important thing is that in the new edition of the Constitution, for the first time in our national legislation, the composition of civil society institutions was revealed. It has been enshrined the fact that these institutions form the basis of civil society. In addition, the interests of civil society institutions are protected in 5 articles of other chapters of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Secondly, the advancement of civil society has also been guided by the adoption of a development concept for 2021-2025, focusing on:

• Consistently enhancing the legal framework for civil society;
• Improving state support mechanisms for civil society institutions;
• Facilitating their active role in state and community governance;
• Expanding their involvement in state social projects;
• Ensuring greater transparency within civil society.

Thirdly, a democratic organizational and legal system has been established to support these institutions. Public Funds have been set up under the Oliy Majlis and regional councils, resulting in significant financial backing: 1 trillion and 916 billion soums were allocated over the past seven years, supporting 2,246 projects—30 times more than during 2008-2016. In addition, regional funds supported 2,120 projects worth 140 billion soums over three years.

Fourthly, in order to protect the rights and interests of persons with disabilities and to further strengthen their social protection, the Society of the Disabled of Uzbekistan, the Society of the Deaf, the Society of the Blind, the Association of the Disabled of Uzbekistan, and their nearly 500 system organizations are fully funded using state subsidies.

Fifthly, within the framework of state support measures for civil society institutions, "Houses of Friendship and Non-Governmental Organizations" were established in each region. 350 NGOs and national cultural centres were accommodated in these houses free of charge.

Sixthly, registration fees for non-governmental organizations have been halved on average. Public associations of the disabled, intellectuals, women, and children were completely exempted from duty. The re-registration period is reduced the from one month to 15 days.

Seventhly, the requirement for non-governmental non-profit organizations to obtain the permission of judicial body to conduct their activities was abolished, and their freedom of action was further strengthened.

Eighthly, the process of obtaining funds from external sources has been simplified. The requirement to open a special bank account has been cancelled. The period for consideration of applications for funding was reduced from 40 days to 15 days. In addition, the amount of money that can be taken without agreement with the judicial body has been increased by 5 times. As a result, international grants attracted over the last 7 years have exceeded 125 million US dollars.

Ninthly, digitalization has further streamlined services for NGOs, with all government services available electronically through the e-ngo.uz portal.

Finally, civil society institutions have become direct participants and closest partners of large-scale and intensive reforms in New Uzbekistan. The most active non-governmental non-profit organizations, such as the “Compatriots” public fund, the “Hunarmand” association, the “Soglom Avlod Uchun” Fund, the “World Association of Youth of Uzbekistan”, the “Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan”, the “Progressive Reforms” Centre, the Association of Mahallas of Uzbekistan, the "Development Strategy" Centre, and the "Yuksalish" national movement are directly involved.

Prospects for civil society institutions in New Uzbekistan

The ongoing reforms in New Uzbekistan have taken a significant step forward with Presidential Decree No.124, signed on August 26, 2024, titled "On measures to further improve the system of state support for civil society institutions." This decree aims to establish a transparent and competitive system for state support, enhancing the impact of social programs and continuing the reform agenda.

The decree outlines six key directions for state support to strengthen the role of civil society institutions during this stage of development:

the first direction, to further increase the activity of civil society institutions in the life of the State and society and to fully use their potential in the development of socio-economic, political-legal, cultural-spiritual and humanitarian spheres;

the second direction, support for implementation of initiatives aimed at the interests of society and the real needs of the population, intended for solving the current problems that remain in the field;

the third direction, further development of mutually beneficial social partnership between state bodies and civil society institutions;

the fourth direction is to encourage effective public monitoring by civil society institutions to support the development of all spheres of state and community life;

the fifth direction, establishing relations of civil society institutions with compatriots abroad and strengthening cooperation with their associations;

the sixth direction, strengthening the material and technical base of civil society institutions and creating favourable organizational and legal conditions for them to carry out their activities.

The decree provides the following incentives and facilities for civil society institutions:

First, the Public Fund for the Support of Civil Society Institutions and its regional divisions are being established under the Parliament.

Now, representatives of the Senate and the Legislative Chamber will alternately preside over the Parliamentary Commission on fund management. This increases the efficiency of Fund management.

Second, the activities of "Consultative groups consisting of representatives of civil society institutions" will be established under the Jukorgu Kenges (parliament) of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Local Councils.

Third, the State bodies were given the right to finance without contests social partnership initiative projects of civil society institutions in the amounts up to 1,000 BCVs (base calculation value).

Fourth, in order to expand the participation of citizens in state and society management, there is foreseen to switch to procedure of chairing Public Councils under the state bodies by representative of civil society institute.

Fifth, taking into account the social significance of State grants and social order projects, income tax and social tax rates within the framework of such projects were reduced by 50% for a period of 3 years. The saved funds will be directed to the project goals and serve to increase their efficiency.

Sixth, in order to further facilitate the creation of organizations of disabled people, veterans, women and children, from January 1, 2025, the state fee for registering such organizations has been reduced by 2 times.

Seventh, “Civil Society Week” will be held every year in the first week of December. In its’ framework the representatives of the sector are awarded by the Parliamentary Commission with "For contribution to the development of civil society" award pin.

Eighth, there will be established the “Citizens’ Initiative” national award, presented every two years by the Parliamentary Foundation.

Ninth, there will be introduced a nomination in covering the activities of civil society institutions in the international contest for the “Golden Pen” national award, which is traditionally held every year among journalists.

A single electronic platform for civil society institutions

A unified electronic platform for civil society institutions has been launched to enhance transparency in the allocation of state subsidies, grants, and social contracts, in line with the implementation of the Decree. This platform aims to elevate the state support system for civil society institutions, ensuring openness and efficiency.

The launch of a single electronic platform will provide the following outcomes:

First outcome: the platform allows civil society institutions and the general public to actively participate in shaping the focus areas for competitions organized by the Foundation under the Oliy Majlis.

Second result:  all competition stages, from application submission to final results, will be fully digitized, minimizing the human factor.

Third result: civil society institutions will be freed from excessive red tape;

Fourth result: the platform will facilitate digital monitoring, contracting, and reporting.

Fifth result: State bodies will be able to create social orders in electronic format.

As a result, the platform is set to advance state support for civil society institutions to a higher level, promoting transparency in all related processes. As the President of Uzbekistan noted, “Today, large-scale reforms are being consistently continued in New Uzbekistan. Ensuring the value of a human and his interests, which marked as the greatest goal and task, is in the centre of our policy. The main content of our development strategy is to develop the rule of law and human capital, to build a fair and strong civil society.

The Decree plays a crucial role in creating new avenues for citizens and civil society institutions to engage directly in the governance of the state and society. It establishes the necessary organizational and legal framework to promote the development of social partnerships and enhances public oversight of state bodies, making government actions more accountable.

From this point, it is no exaggeration to say that the following thoughts of the our Head of State have become particularly timely: "Today, large-scale reforms are being consistently continued in New Uzbekistan. In the centre of our policy, the greatest goal and task is to ensure the value of a human dignity and interests. The main content of our development strategy is to develop the rule of law and human capital, to build a fair and strong civil society. We have big plans in the near future, such as ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth and halving poverty in our country."

Akmal Saidov

First Deputy Speaker, Academician
Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis