Uzbekistan: $ 20 million to modernize rural schools

The Ishonch Foundation, which manages the recovered assets, is directing $ 20 million to modernize rural schools with a focus on climate risk resilience and improving the quality of basic infrastructure. The project starts on October 1 and will cover at least 45 educational institutions in different regions of the country. It is planned to provide schools with clean drinking water, modern sanitary facilities and heating systems, as well as connect environmentally friendly energy sources. The expected technological effect is a 30% reduction in energy consumption and a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which translates costs from the category of capital repairs to long-term savings and manageable operating costs. Separately, gender-sensitive conditions are provided for adolescent girls — an element that directly affects the attendance and continuity of the educational process in rural areas.

Transparency mechanisms are built into the project architecture: the My Best School online platform will allow real-time tracking of estimates, contractors, and work progress, reducing the risk of transaction costs and increasing public confidence in spending. A significant part of the initiative is training: about 2,700 teachers will be trained, who will have to implement the practices of adapting schools to climate challenges and build work with local communities. According to the organizers, more than 31 thousand children will receive improved learning conditions, which will have a multiplier effect in the productivity of school time and reduce non-attendance.

The Ishonch Foundation was established in 2022 within the framework of bilateral agreements and operates under the management of a multilateral trust mechanism. The first tranche of the returned funds amounted to $ 131 million, and another $ 182 million is expected to be repatriated. Some of the funds have already been allocated to healthcare and education, which forms a portfolio of socially significant projects with measurable target indicators. The current focus on rural schools addresses systemic inequalities in access to quality infrastructure and lays the groundwork for increasing human capital outside of large cities. Partner support highlights that the transparent restitution model can translate into concrete results-from upgrading utility networks to implementing green solutions that reduce budget dependence on energy-intensive technologies.