Social protection of vulnerable population groups in Uzbekistan will be improved in collaboration with the World Bank under the INSON project

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a $100 million concessional loan for Uzbekistan to implement the Innovative Social Protection System for Inclusion of Vulnerable People (INSON) Project. The project aims to improve access to and quality of social services for vulnerable people in Uzbekistan.

The project will support the government’s efforts to expand access to quality social services and benefits for vulnerable population, including the elderly, people with disabilities, victims of gender-based violence, and disadvantaged children.

Uzbekistan’s development strategy until 2030 (Uzbekistan-2030 strategy) focuses on significantly improving the professional social services system, creating new support mechanisms for persons with disabilities, fostering a comfortable and inclusive environment, enhancing support systems for women, ensuring their rights and legal interests, increasing their social, economic, and political activity, and promoting gender equality.

To achieve these goals, Uzbekistan will invest substantial resources to introduce alternative methods of delivering social services at the community level (Mahalla) and to establish quality standards for these services. The project will also work on improving the integration of the social protection service delivery system.

This initiative aims to increase the inclusion of vulnerable groups, boost their resilience to shocks (such as those caused by climate change), and enhance their well-being and prospects in the labor market.

“The INSON project is an important step towards strengthening social protection in Uzbekistan and improving the quality of life for vulnerable segments of the population. Thanks to the support of the World Bank and the introduction of advanced social services, we can utilize the necessary resources to create an inclusive and fair system that ensures support for all needy citizens of our country,” said Mansurbek Olloyorov, the Director of the National Agency for Social Protection.

 “We welcome the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan to enhance the capacity of the national social protection system to provide inclusive and effective support to vulnerable people,” noted Marco Mantovanelli, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan. “This project will help build the legal and institutional foundations of the care economy. It will also expand access to quality on-demand social services that are currently underprovided to thousands of vulnerable people across the country, including older people, persons with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence, and vulnerable children.”

By the year 2029, at the completion of the project, it is forecasted that:

– More than 57,000 citizens will have the opportunity to access quality social services through 55 newly established territorial centers for social services operating in districts, cities, and makhallas;

– 20,000 persons with disabilities will be able to receive rehabilitation services with new equipment;

– 7,000 children from vulnerable groups will have access to services in Territorial Centers for Social Services;

– 1,200 persons with disabilities will be employed after training in 4 pilot inclusive vocational education centers in Tashkent, Fergana, and Samarkand;

– Employees of the “Inson” centers will undergo training on climate risks and adaptive social protection;

– The number of low-income families who have been assessed and received referrals for social services through the case management system (social support) will increase;

– The quality of social services will improve through the development of modern standards and monitoring;

– The involvement of the non-governmental sector in the provision of social services will increase, including based on Territorial Centers for Social Services(TCSS);

– Population’s readiness for climate shocks will increase, and they will be trained in economic integration, climate adaptation, agricultural technologies, and water resource management;

– Women victims of violence will receive comprehensive services in 20 centers for rehabilitation and adaptation of women, including training in professional skills;

– The economic activity of caregivers of children with disabilities who will use services in Territorial Centers for Social Services will increase.

During the project development, over 20 NGOs, societies, associations, and centers, including the National Association of Disabled Women Entrepreneurs, the Republican Center for Social Adaptation of Children, the nationwide movement “Yuksalish”, the National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Profit Organizations of Uzbekistan, the public fund “Ezgu Amal”, and the Republican Socio-Economic Foundation “SABR”, were actively involved.