The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations have launched a new Peacebuilding Fund–supported initiative titled “Empowering Youth to Build Relationships for Social Cohesion,” aimed at strengthening social harmony and promoting sustainable peace across the country. The project is jointly implemented by UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNESCO in collaboration with national ministries and agencies responsible for education, youth policy, and interethnic relations.
The initiative focuses on equipping adolescents and young people with essential skills such as peacebuilding, critical thinking, and media and information literacy. It also encourages youth-led participation, intergenerational dialogue, and community-based actions that foster trust, inclusion, and stronger social ties within communities.
A key component of the project is strengthening media and information literacy to help young people critically analyze information, resist disinformation, and engage responsibly in digital spaces. Government representatives emphasized that these skills are vital for preventing hate speech and promoting a culture of peaceful dialogue and informed citizenship.
The launch event brought together government officials, United Nations representatives, civil society organizations, youth groups, and development partners to discuss challenges affecting social cohesion in Kyrgyzstan. Key concerns included the spread of disinformation, increasing hate speech, and limited youth participation in decision-making processes.
UN officials highlighted that young people are already contributing to peacebuilding through dialogue and constructive engagement across differences. The project aims to further strengthen these contributions by investing in skills development that enhances communication, trust-building, and community resilience.
The program will be implemented over 36 months across the Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, Osh, and Chui regions, supporting long-term efforts to promote inclusive development and sustainable peacebuilding in Kyrgyzstan.
