Uzbekistan:

Innovative Social Protection System of Vulnerable Populations

Donor: National Agency for Social Protection (NASP) and 

The World Bank 

 Timeframe: January 2026-August 2026

The “Innovative Social Protection System for Inclusion of Vulnerable Populations in Uzbekistan (INSON)” is a World Bank–financed initiative, implemented by the National Agency for Social Protection (NASP), that aims to expand access to high-quality, inclusive social services for vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence, and communities affected by climate-related shocks.  

Partnering with the Uzbekistan OPD Sharoit Plus, IDP will contribute technical expertise to transforming four specialized vocational education and training (VET) schools for students with disabilities into inclusive resource hubs. This new effort aims to expand inclusive education, strengthen pathways to employment, and improve long‑term resilience and well‑being for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. This work will lay the foundation for the next phase of implementation and support Uzbekistan’s efforts to build a more inclusive, resilient, and responsive social protection and education system. 

Project Highlights

  • Conduct a needs assessment of the four specialized VET schools, including curriculum review, infrastructure and accessibility assessment, labor market demand assessment, and primary data collection. 
  • Coordinate with national stakeholders to produce tailored and practical solutions to scaling access to inclusive VET. 
  • Plan for future implementation efforts related to curriculum reform and development, teacher training, and labor market engagement.