Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Experts from the Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRI) analyzed the results of voting processes on the "Initiative Budget" in Uzbekistan.

The participation of the population in the distribution of the budget in Uzbekistan is implemented on the basis of the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 22 August 2018 No. PP-3917 “On measures to ensure openness of budget data and active participation of citizens in the budget process”.

In accordance with resolution No. PP-3917 from 22 August 2018, in July-September 2021, the voting process on the "Initiative Budget" was held in our country for the first time, within which 41.1 thousand proposals were received from citizens. As a result, 1599 proposals that received the largest number of votes were approved, and 530.5 billion soums were allocated for their implementation.

During the first season of the "Initiative Budget" in February-April of this year, 55.9 thousand proposals were received from the population, and more than 2,882 billion soums of budget funds were allocated for the implementation of 2,997 selected proposals.

During the voting for the project this season, 16.1 million votes were collected. Considering that in 2021 this figure was only 1.1 million, this indicates an increase in the interest of the population in the processes of the Initiative Budget.

It should be noted that proactive budgeting contributes to the targeted solution of problems related to infrastructure and the social sphere. Thus, out of 2997 proposals selected for funding following the results of the first season of 2023, the main part is aimed at repairing secondary schools (1335, or 44.5%), internal roads (629, or 20.9%), medical institutions (370, or 12.3%), preschool institutions (176, or 5.8%).

In order to increase the social activity of citizens and solve local problems in a short time, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 25 October 2022 No. PP-409 “On measures to expand the scale of financing of projects formed on the basis of public opinion”, from 2023 the formation programs "Obod Qishloq" and "Obod Mahalla" are also carried out on the basis of public opinion.

Projects such as the Initiative Budget not only improve the quality of life of the population, but also strengthen their sense of involvement in the ongoing processes of reform and building the future of the country.