Uzbekistan Launches Voting for 2026 “Initiative Budget”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has launched the voting phase of the first season of the 2026 “Initiative Budget” program, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced. Citizens can cast their votes for proposed initiatives until 23:59 on 20 March. The main results will be announced on 21 March, coinciding with the Navruz celebrations, followed by an additional stage from 21 to 31 March to recognize projects selected as additional winners.

Voting is available through the “Open Budget” portal, the program’s mobile app for Android and iOS devices, and a dedicated Telegram bot.

This season introduces a new cost ceiling for projects. Construction and renovation initiatives can receive up to 1.648 billion soums, equivalent to 4,000 sizes of the basic estimated value, while equipment-related projects are limited to 824 million soums, or 2,000 sizes of the basic estimated value.

Members of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis now have additional authority, allowing each deputy to select one project in their electoral district as a winner, even if it did not succeed in the general voting process.

A co-financing mechanism, effective from 1 February, allows projects where citizens voluntarily cover 50% of implementation costs to automatically gain winner status, with the remaining 50% funded by the state budget. This program aims to support 1,000 projects through public-private partnership.

The Senate also revised the program rules: to advance to subsequent stages, a project must now secure at least 50 votes.

In total, 6 trillion soums are allocated for the 2026 “Initiative Budget.” Of this, 496 billion soums will support deputies’ initiatives, while 506 billion soums fund citizen-state partnership projects with shared financing. Additionally, each Legislative Chamber deputy may select one extra project during the season, receiving 3.3 billion soums for each selection.