Implementation period: 
April 2021 — October 2022 

Project goal
Improvement of socio-economic well-being of rural residents, and assistance to local self-government bodies (mahallas) in introducing inclusive approaches to assessing the needs of the population and targeted assistance.

Partners
European Union, Center for Support and Development of Population ‘Taraqqiyot’, People's Receptions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Mahalla and Family Support, Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations, Ministry of Health,  Ministry of Internal Affairs 

Target audience
At least 350 economically disadvantaged families with more than three children, people with disabilities, lonely elderly over 65 from remote rural areas of Andijan, Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions, local social support specialists at the mahalla level.

Anticipated outcomes

-    Building capacity of local employees and social support specialists at local governments (mahallas) in the inclusive formation of a list of vulnerable families, and the provision of targeted assistance;
-    Stepping up the engagement of vulnerable groups in the identification, approval of vulnerable groups and in decision-making processes in 12 remote villages of Andijan, Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions;
-    Raising the socio-economic status of at least 350 families in remote rural areas, mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through the provision of one-time financial assistance;
-    Increasing the resilience of 12 villages to epidemiological shocks and crises, developing a model for involving vulnerable groups in the process of mitigating the consequences of the crisis and recommendations to the relevant departments based on the results of piloting.

What has been done:

12 mahallas were selected for the project in 3 regions – Andijan,
Samarkand,
Kashkadarya 
1st COMPONENT:
12 mahallas from 6 districts of 3 regions of Uzbekistan received financial aid, including:
Total in Andijan region: 118 people received 445,933,800 soums
Total in Samarkand region: 115 people received 429,042,000 soums
Total in Kashkadarya region: 119 people received 438,860,100 soums.

352 people received a total of 1 313 835 900 soums

2nd COMPONENT:

To support family polyclinics during the pandemic, a list of medical equipment was compiled at the request of chief physicians of local polyclinics, upon which Yuksalish NWM launched a tender for the purchase of medical equipment.
Andijan region:
On March 4, 2022, family and multi-branch central polyclinics covering the population of "Galaba" and "Namuna" mahallas of the Jalakuduk district, the city of Khanabad, and "Navoi" and "Istiqlol" mahallas received 16 types of medical supplies totaling 100.3 million soums
Kashkadarya region
received 32 types of medical supplies and 8 bicycles totaling 101 million soums on March 1, 2022
Samarkand region
On February 28, 2022, 19 types of medical supplies were delivered to family polyclinics of "Dung" and "Gulobod" mahallas of the Pakhtachi district, as well as "Toz" and "Yukori Jush" mahallas of the Kushrabat district, totaling 91.6 million soums.

3rd COMPONENT
To improve the infrastructure of the abovementioned mahallas, their situation was studied in partnership with the district administrations and activists of local communities. Upon the study, Yuksalish launched tenders for purchasing necessary materials for the following locations:
1) Gravel for the roads of the "Saroy" mahalla of the Karshi district of the Kashkadarya region for a total amount of 98.6 million soums
2) 165 pieces of household gas cylinders for the Galaba mahalla of Andijan region for a total amount of 90.4 million soums
3) Work has begun on replacing old electrified poles with new reinforced concrete ones in a mahalla of the Andijan region.
A total of 89 reinforced concrete columns worth 112.5 million soums were delivered. The work is being done based on the feedback and support of the population.
4) The city of Khonobod, "Istiqlol" and "Navoiy" mahallas received 118 reinforced concrete poles totaling 151.1 million sums
Overall, improvements of infrastructure facilities in Andijan region have totaled 354,115,000 soums 
A road worth 98.6 million soums was reconstructed in Kashkadarya region. Work in underway to purchase transformers and electric poles.
Infrastructural improvement works have been underway in mahallas of the Samarkand region (construction of a bridge, delivery of reinforced concrete pillars)