UZBEKISTAN DIGITAL INCLUSION PROJECT
Narrative Description of Project:
The Uzbekistan Digital Inclusion Project is the first initiative aimed at supporting the development of the digital economy in Uzbekistan in line with the Government of Uzbekistan’s “Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy” and the “Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026.”
The Project is being implemented with the support of the World Bank and focuses on the key pillars of digital inclusion — particularly the creation of digital jobs for youth, including women and persons with disabilities.
The main priority of the Project is to create new digital jobs in the IT-enabled services (ITES) sector, with a focus on regional areas.
The proposed Project contributes to the broader goal of enhancing economic opportunities, creating more and better jobs, and facilitating private sector-led economic growth, as outlined in the National Development Strategy (NDS).
Gender-disaggregated indicators are included in the Project’s results framework, with a target of 50 percent female beneficiaries among the total project participants.
Description of Actual Services Provided by Your Staff Within the Assignment:
• Manage and implement activities related to environmental and social risk management as required by the Project.
• Support stakeholders in fulfilling commitments related to environmental and social risk mitigation measures as outlined in the following documents: ESCP (Environmental and Social Commitment Plan), ESMF (Environmental and Social Management Framework), SEP (Stakeholder Engagement Plan), and LMP (Labor Management Procedures).
• Prepare site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) based on environmental and social screenings and field observations in alignment with the ESMF.
• Ensure that all environmental and social risk management considerations are integrated into project planning, design specifications, and bidding documents.
• Organize and conduct regular consultation meetings with project stakeholders and affected parties.
• Provide technical advice on social safeguards and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) to ensure full understanding and compliance with the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) during project implementation.
• Conduct a detailed capacity assessment of entities responsible for project implementation regarding environmental and social risk management.
• Develop tailored training materials based on the findings of the capacity assessment.
• Conduct regular training sessions to ensure proper communication and understanding of the ESF agenda across all relevant implementing bodies.
• Ensure the functionality, accessibility, and responsiveness of the Project’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) systems, including a dedicated labor GRM.
• Coordinate the resolution of project-related complaints in a timely and transparent manner.
• Conduct regular diagnostics of GRM systems to identify and implement necessary improvements.
• Raise awareness among stakeholders about the GRM system and how to access it.
• Compile monthly reports from contractors and prepare summaries to be included in semiannual progress reports.
• Compile and prepare environmental and social impact monitoring reports in accordance with the ESMF, LMP, SEP, and Electronic Waste Management Plan.