PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project aimed to advance Uzbekistan's reforms and democratization by modernizing its parliament and strengthening its connection with civil society. At the heart of the initiative was the effort to enhance the legislative process and improve parliamentary oversight. This was achieved by increasing the effectiveness of the Senate, the Legislative Chamber, the Parliament of Karakalpakstan, and local Kengashes (regional councils), aligning them with EU and international best practices, while respecting Uzbekistan's national traditions.

ICON-INSTITUT was contracted to implement the major component focused on building a robust communication network to facilitate seamless interaction between various parliamentary bodies. This included developing a strategy to link town and district councils to a centralized electronic workflow system and enhancing ICT infrastructure. Upgrades included establishing electronic libraries in the Senate and regional parliaments, procuring e-books and book scanners, and creating comprehensive e-portals for legislative processes, archives, and data retrieval. Public engagement was another key focus. The project sought to raise public awareness of the role and functions of the parliament, improving public and NGO participation in the legislative process. By ensuring greater access to parliamentary activities through a newly established parliamentary Centre for Information, the project empowered citizens to engage with legislative developments more actively.

Overall, the initiative laid the foundation for a more transparent, effective, and participatory parliamentary system in Uzbekistan, fostering greater public involvement and supporting ongoing reforms.

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