In Uzbekistan, citizens have the opportunity to express their wishes and vote on what purposes a part of the funds from the local budget can be directed. This was announced on May 2 by Deputy Finance Minister Odilbek Isakov.

“We want to give people the opportunity to participate in the allocation of a certain part of the budget. Starting from this year, at least 10% of the additional funds from each budget of the district and city will be sent on the basis of proposals from citizens. Now we are working on the introduction of this mechanism,” Isakov said at a press conference.

One can send proposals by registering on the site Openbudget.uz from April 22 to May 6, 2019.  After this period, proposals will not be accepted.

“The event that gets the largest number of votes will be considered formed on the basis of public opinion. At least 10% of the additional funds of the district budget will be allocated for its financing,” the announcement reads in the section “Initiative budgeting” of the website. 

Despite the opportunity to express their wishes, there are practically no proposals from people.

The FinMin notes that the work on the site Openbudget.uz is ongoing. It is expected that it will be fully operating by the end of 2019.