The project is being implemented in accordance with Presidential Decree No. PD-3739 of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “On measures to further deepen and expand cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the United States of America,” dated May 24, 2018, and in accordance with Resolution No. 306 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “On measures for the implementation of the project ‘District Heating Energy Efficiency Project in Andijan, Chirchik, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent (TC-8) (DHEEP),’” dated April 12, 2019.

The main objective of the project is to create a model for the reconstruction of the district heating system in pilot districts of five cities for subsequent implementation in other regions of the country. The project aims to increase the energy efficiency and reliability of heat supply services, as well as improve the quality of heating and hot water supply.

Under the assignment, DEEX carried out social safeguards due diligence in accordance with the World Bank’s Operational Policies and guidelines, the environmental and social instruments of the project, and the laws and regulations of Uzbekistan. The work included assessment of government policies, institutional arrangements, previous experience and the legal framework related to land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, identification of gaps against the World Bank’s OP 4.12 requirements, and recommendation of appropriate gap-filling measures.

DEEX also prepared Social Due Diligence Reports (SDDRs) or Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) for each contract under implementation, provided guidance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) on developing and establishing effective monitoring and reporting systems and processes, assisted the PIU in establishing a grievance redress mechanism and managing safeguard-related complaints, and supported the preparation of quarterly social safeguard monitoring reports for the World Bank.