UNDP Uzbekistan and the Independent Institute for Monitoring the Formation of Civil Society widen cooperation

Across the globe civil society is exhibiting an energetic voice in promoting the principles of fair and equitable economic development, gender equality and human rights. It is also a cross-cutting subject integrated into several areas of UNDP’s work in any country.

The UNDP is collaborating with wide range of national partners on engaging civil society organisations (CSO) in local development plans, in promoting social partnership between civil society institutions, government and private sector in providing employment opportunities social services for most vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities and women in difficult situations, and helping build value chain products produced by these groups and their promotion in major supermarket chain.

Among strong partners of UNDP in the area of civil society is the Independent institute for monitoring the formation of civil society (NIMFOGO). NIMFOGO was created in 2003 and has the main goal of the systematic monitoring the processes of formation and development of civil society, strengthening the role of CSO in the way of democratic renewal and modernization of the country, enhancement of political culture, raising legal awareness, social and political activeness of the citizens.

Civil society representatives possess significant experience and expertise, particularly at grassroots level, that can help international organizations formulate policy and strategy effectively. Hence, UNDP started close cooperation with NIMFOGO in 2012 by signing Memorandum of Understanding aimed at increasing the role of CSO in the process of democratic transformation of the society and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).

This year, within 2013 annual plan of activities, UNDP and NIMFOGO widen cooperation and include, on top of continued social partnership priority, new areas, such as CSO engagement in monitoring of legislation implementation, parliamentary development, strengthening capacities of kengashes (local councils), developing public speaking skills, volunteerism, strengthening access to information about government agencies.

Among the first upcoming joint events of partners in 2013 is large conference on “The role of CSOs in MDG achievements in Uzbekistan” that is planned to be organized jointly by NIMFOGO, UNDP and National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan at the end of June.