Uzbekistan has launched the second phase of its “Islands of Integrity” anti-corruption methodology, expanding a local governance approach that has already delivered practical results in several regions. The launch in Turtkul District brought together national and international partners, including government officials, the UNDP Resident Representative, and EU representatives. The initiative builds on a pilot phase conducted in 2024–2025 in Vobkent District, Jizzakh City, and Mirzo-Ulugbek District, where local authorities identified corruption risks, reviewed internal procedures, and developed Strategic Roadmaps and Action Plans for 2025–2026. These plans, created by local officials, ensured strong ownership and solutions grounded in real practice.
In 2026, the approach is expanding to six additional districts—Hazorasp, Konimekh, Jomboy, Oltiarik, Pap, and Turtkul—with the aim of embedding integrity-based practices into everyday local administration. Supported financially by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Agency and the National Anti-Corruption Council, UNDP has adapted the methodology to Uzbekistan’s context and trained national anti-corruption practitioners to guide regional implementation. The expanded phase will emphasize improving internal procedures, strengthening public oversight, and encouraging citizen participation in corruption prevention.
The “Islands of Integrity” methodology, internationally recognized and applied in over 30 local governments across Europe, focuses on system-wide improvements rather than individual punishment. By helping local administrations identify weaknesses and implement locally driven solutions, the approach strengthens transparency and accountability. In Uzbekistan, it is being implemented through the joint EU-funded project, “Strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Ecosystem,” with the goal of making integrity a core feature of local governance.
