Uzbekistan has adopted two nationwide programs aimed at providing employment opportunities for high school and university graduates who were unable to continue their education. The initiatives were unveiled during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s meeting with young people on June 30.

A total of $300mn has been allocated to Aloqabank and National Bank of Uzbekistan (NBU) to support these programs. Under the “Youth Business” initiative, 100,000 young people will receive support to start income-generating activities. Meanwhile, the “Step into the Future” program will focus on helping 140,000 university graduates secure employment.

To better connect young job seekers with potential employers, the Ministry of Employment, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and NBU are jointly developing a digital platform. This platform will link graduates from universities, technical schools, and vocational institutions with job opportunities.

Additionally, the ministries of Employment, Public Education, and Higher Education have launched an electronic system called “Harakatda daromad.” The system will provide temporary unskilled jobs for up to 3mn young people during school and university vacations.

Efforts to promote early career planning are also being expanded. The “My Profession” national competition continues to help high school students explore career options. In a bid to encourage entrepreneurship, secondary schools will introduce “skills and business hours,” and a grant fund of UZS 100bn ($7.9mn) has been set aside to support student startup ideas.

University students will also have a chance to compete in the annual “Best Creative Idea” competition, where winners can receive up to UZS 300mn ($23,706) in grants from university startup funds.

To further support innovation, the Innovation Agency and IT Park will establish a research and development center for prototyping and testing startup projects. The Youth Venture Fund will cover up to $50,000 in prototype costs for the most promising ideas.

The year will also feature the annual “Startup Expo,” bringing together investors, major companies, and young entrepreneurs to showcase emerging ventures and attract investment.

These new initiatives aim to reduce youth unemployment and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across Uzbekistan.