DigitalEconomy
Unlocking Opportunities for Youth Economic Empowerment through Digitalization
Empowering the Youth to Embrace the Digital Economy and Digital Entrepreneurship
Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan
United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
UNDP-Russia Trust Fund for Development (RTF)
January 2022 – June 2026
13,000+
youth empowered with digital
and entrepreneurship skills
7,500+
women beneficiaries
across all programs
500+
startup teams accelerated,
mentored, or pitched
14
regions of Uzbekistan
covered by project activities
Digital Skills Development
3,600+
youth entrepreneurs and women received business development and digital skills trainings across all regions
121
young women placed in 24 IT companies via Digital Internship Program with 50%+ employment opportunities
IT and Business Development CenterShakhrisabz, Kashkadarya
500+ residents trained
Established in late 2023. Operates on a sustainable fee-based model. Courses in computer literacy, English language, and embroidery for local women.
IshKadr AcademyKhazorasp, Khorezm
43 youth currently enrolled
Launched in 2025 with 6 employees. Offers English, Korean, and SMM/Mobilography courses, including participants from socially vulnerable backgrounds.
Startup & Investment Ecosystem
90+
angel investors trained through business angels trainings across 3 cohorts
$600K+
in startup investments mobilized through angel networks and VC events
40+
active members in CS// Angels investor club, grown from 8 since 2024
10+
universities united into a community for student entrepreneurship support and development
Policy, Institutional Capacity & AI
9
Public-Private Dialogue sessions engaging 300+ stakeholders from government and private sector
500+
public servants with enhanced digital economy and M&E capacities
1st
draft Law on Startups developed with MoEF per Presidential Decree No. 59
1st
National AI Strategy supported and adopted by the government
Research & Knowledge Products
| Digital Literacy Survey | 2,686 respondents, 14 regions, baseline 40/100 |
| Founder Portrait 2026 | 269 founders surveyed, ecosystem intelligence baseline |
| AI Adoption Study | Governance roadmap 2025–2028, Regulatory Sandbox |
| AI Competency Framework | 200+ assessment questions for civil servants |
| Multimedia Assets | 29 videos, podcasts, startup courses in Uzbek |
| Policy Paper | Digital Entrepreneurship and AI |
International Exposure & Partnerships
| Madrid 2026 | 6 women founders at South Summit |
| Amsterdam 2025 | 13 participants, 8 women-led startups, Amsterdam University |
| Lisbon 2024 | 15+ startups at Web Summit with IT Park Uzbekistan |
| Silicon Valley 2023 | 5 women-led startups with Plug and Play Uzbekistan |
| Gov. study tours | South Korea, Germany, Estonia, Russia |
| Universities 2026 | 6 universities tour to Moscow & St. Petersburg |
Digital Resources
| pizzapitch.uz | Startup pitching and mentorship platform |
| digitalpulse.uz | Digital economy news and analytics |
| digitalcitizen.uz | National digital literacy assessment |
| startupguide.uz | Startup knowledge base and expert feedback |
| ai-citizen.uz | AI competency assessment for civil servants (soon) |
Funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and UNDP-Russia Trust Fund for Development (RTF)