Until recently touristic advantages of the region were neglected as an economy industry that can contribute considerably in improving well-being of the local community. A positive turnaround of the situation is becoming viable thanks to the anticipated launch of showcasing pilot initiatives on Public-private partnership in the area of recreation resource management and community-based tourism in Zamin district of Jizzakh region. These and many more local capacity-building initiatives to be implemented in the region within the framework of UNDP Project “Local Governance Support Project: participation and partnership” (LGSP Project).

Public–private partnership (PPP) describes an agreement between government and the private sector regarding the provision of public services or infrastructure. There are different types and schemes of PPP. In case of LGSP Project initiatives it is planned to synergize the efforts of local tour operators, owners of touristic resorts and relevant governmental agencies, responsible for promoting tourism and investment inflow into the region. A special attention will be given also to capacity-building of local community in provision of touristic services, which should result in improvement of their well-being by diversification of income sources.

Moreover, the LGSP Project besides facilitation of community-based tourism in Jizzakh region is primarily aiming also to provide support to the local government of Jizzakh and Namangan regions in advancing public administration reforms and capacity building of civil servants; to enhance the partnership capacities of local governments with civil society and private sector through institutionalization of mechanisms of public relations and e-governance; The activities of the project are coordinated in partnership with the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Effective local governance implies responsive and accountable local government bodies and institutions. In this regard, the project will be assisting in establishment of six information centers at the regional, city and district khokimiyats of Jizzakh and Namangan regions. The total budget of this initiative is USD 200,000, which were raised as additional funds from UNDP Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund.

In addition, effective local governance not only helps ensure better interaction between public institutions and local actors especially when it comes to service delivery issues, but also leads to the sustainable and effective territorial development. This will be possible in aforementioned cities after establishment One-Stop-Shops (OSS) for easing the procedures of provision of public services to population. The LGSP Project will be participating in the initiative by providing assistance in equipping two OSS and conducting training programmes for the personnel of Khokimiyats and OSS. It is planned that the OSS in Jizzakh city as well as in Namangan city will open its doors to the visitors in September, 2011.

Furthermore, the project is currently working on enhancement of the technical capacities of both regional khokimiyats by integration of e-government tools and initiation of an active involvement of local civil society in discussion and decision making processes of local and national importance. These activities are the practicial reflection of the recommendations mentioned in policy briefs on effective local governance, developed by the project in 2010.

It is worth noting that improvement of public institutions’ capacity, accountability and responsiveness measures, with the participation of civil society and private sector at the local level, at the end helps improve the livelihood of the low-income and the disadvantaged, increases resources and contributes to consolidate effective governance processes at all levels. As such, the LGSP Project is a logical follow up to the successful efforts of UNDP in Jizzakh region. Since 2009 UNDP has been active in this region by implementing several project initiatives in the field of inclusive social partnership tailored to the needs of local people.

“Marjon-Tog” dairy factory in Gallaaral district and “Mehrjon” bakery in Jizzakh city are clear examples of social enterprises out of the four piloted Work Integration Social Enterprises, found in assistance of UNDP Uzbekistan and local government authorities, NGOs, private businesses of Jizzakh region. The main objective of the social enterprises is the work integration of people facing serious difficulties in the labour market or at risk of exclusion from the labour market and the society. In the case of WISE initiative, the beneficiaries include more than 80 women from low income families. For example, currently the bakery in Jizzakh city employs 8 women, while the dairy factory in Gallaorol district provides job to more than 10 women. In addition, the latter supplies the natural milk products at relatively low cost to the local population, including the pupils of nearby situated primary schools and the patients of the tuberculosis hospital.

To see the positive changes on the ground Ms. Anita Nirody Nirody, UNDP Resident Representative visited Jizzakh on 7th of April, 2011. She was happy to see real impact and stressed the importance of working together with the Jizzakh Khokimiyat in future joint efforts.