In Uzbekistan, it is possible to win the "Initiative Budget" without a vote

In Uzbekistan, important changes are being made in the “Initiative Budget” system. Now, social projects and projects related to the interests of the population can be recognized as winners even without collecting votes. This mechanism is aimed at expanding financing on a partnership basis between the population and the state.

In the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated August 29, 2025, specific directions on this issue were defined. According to it, starting from 2026, if the population voluntarily finances half of the cost of social projects initiated by citizens, such projects are automatically recognized as winners. The remaining 50 percent is financed from the republican budget. This new mechanism strengthens cooperation between the state and the population and supports public initiatives.

At the same time, this procedure provides the following conveniences:

• Projects are recognized as winners even without participation of the population in voting;

• Projects are implemented without being tied to the practice of providing pauses at the local level.

In addition, by October 1, 2025, an interactive map of projects that won within the framework of the “Initiative Budget” will be launched on the “Open Budget” information portal. This interactive map allows citizens to track in which neighborhoods projects are being implemented, making the cooperation between the population and the state more transparent and open.

The new system serves as an important step for supporting citizens’ initiatives, implementing social projects quickly and efficiently, as well as strengthening state-population partnership. Now every citizen can directly participate in developing their neighborhood and implementing vital projects through their initiatives.