Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 March 2022, a solemn ceremony of opening a new inclusive Public Services Center (PSC) was held in Yangi, Namangan district. This center was built by the Public Services Agency and equipped with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program and the European Union.

The joint project of the Public Services Agency under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the European Union and UNDP in Uzbekistan “Improving the provision of public services and increasing the level of governance in rural areas of Uzbekistan” helps to equip new Centers in pilot regions, like the PSC in Yangi Namangan, with modern IT and communication equipment (servers, PCs, network and telecommunications devices, video surveillance devices, devices for feedback from users, etc.), a comfortable waiting area for citizens and a modern air conditioning system.

During the construction of the building, special attention was paid to its compliance with modern urban planning standards and the creation of the most comfortable conditions for citizens, especially for people with disabilities. The new Center has an electronic queue system, an information kiosk, an area for self-acquisition of electronic services, a children's playground and a mini-library. There are also information boards and posters to raise the awareness of visitors about the various opportunities for self-sustaining public services.

Most public services here can be obtained on an extraterritorial basis, that is, regardless of the place of residence and stay. The new PSC in Yangi Namangan district provides more than 160 public services and is able to serve up to 300 people a day.

The center is aimed at all segments of the population, including women with small children, people with disabilities of different groups, young people and the elderly. In Yangi Namangan region with a population of about 150 thousand people, 1.6% of the population are persons with disabilities and 10.8% are elderly people. To improve access to public services, the Public Services Agency, with the assistance of the Joint Project, is equipping all new Public Service Centers, including the new Central Public Administration in Yangi Namangan, with ramps, handrails, as well as wheelchairs and other necessary conditions for people with disabilities.

In addition, the Joint Project is already introducing the use of Braille for the convenience of obtaining public services, conducting trainings for operators of the Centers for the Service of Persons with Disabilities, and developing a special tab for people with special needs on the public services portal. For the population as a whole, courses will be organized to improve computer literacy, the use of information and communication technologies and the single portal of public services my.gov.uz.

At Yangi Namangan PSC, as in other pilot centers, a volunteer program will be implemented, which is aimed at involving volunteers in the work of the Agency and Public Service Centers to provide public services to vulnerable groups - people with disabilities, the elderly and women with small children. All volunteers were trained to prepare them to interact with the population in the provision of public services in remote areas. Each volunteer will be equipped with the technical means necessary to perform their duties.