CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTIONS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE STATE!

A Decree has been issued by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding measures to further improve the system of state support for civil society institutions.

This decree outlines the main directions for state support to ensure the active participation of civil society institutions in the governance of Uzbekistan. It establishes a system of support based on principles of transparency and healthy competition for civil society institutions, as well as additional conditions and necessary organizational-legal opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of socially beneficial programs. Furthermore, the mechanisms of state support have been further improved.

The decree envisions the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at supporting civil society.

A public fund for supporting non-governmental non-profit organizations and other civil society institutions will be established under the Parliament, along with its regional divisions. This fund will manage resources to ensure the targeted implementation of social projects and reduce bureaucracy.

A unified electronic platform will be launched to ensure transparency in all processes related to the allocation of state subsidies, grants, and social orders for civil society institutions.

According to the decree, the following mechanisms aimed at developing social partnership will be implemented:

- Each year, state agencies will conduct social order competitions and hold open dialogues with representatives of civil society institutions;

- State agencies will be granted the right to finance initiative social partnership projects from civil society institutions without competition, up to the equivalent of 1,000 times the minimum wage;

- Each year, the Government will adopt a program to involve civil society institutions in the implementation of socio-economic development programs on the basis of social partnership.

To promote socially significant activities, the following benefits are being provided to civil society institutions:

- Within the framework of state grants and social order projects, income tax and social tax rates will be reduced by 50% for a period of three years;

-Starting from January 1, 2025, the state duty for the registration of organizations representing persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and children will be reduced by half.

It was also noted that every year in the first week of December, a "Civil Society Week" will be held, during which representatives of civil society institutions and proactive citizens will be awarded the "For Contribution to the Development of Civil Society" badge.

This decree will elevate the system of state support for civil society institutions to a new level, setting high standards for the transparency of these processes.