What is project about

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a new project for implementation of Turkmenistan’s National Human Rights Action Plan for 2016-2020, adopted in 2016. The project is co-funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and Government of Finland.

The first "Law on Public Associations (Law on PAs) of Turkmenistan” was adopted on November 12, 1991. There have been several changes and additions to the laws in Turkmenistan that have positve aspects on PAs. The most recent one “Law on Charitable Activity” was adopted by the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan on August 26, 2017.

The law defines a public association (PA) as a voluntary, self-governing, non-profit formation, created on the initiative of citizens, united on the basis of common interests in order to achieve common goals, as reflected in the charter of a public association. This definition reflects the content of the constitutional right of citizens to freedom of association with other citizens. With the help of public associations, citizens can jointly solve common tasks, protect their interests in politics, economics, education, science, culture, ecology, i.e. in all areas of public life. There are currently over 100 PAs in Turkmenistan.

The main objective of the project is to promote enabling environment at the national level and building capacity of CSOs to engage effectively in social service sector of Turkmenistan to implement and monitor laws, national programs and strategies in a participatory manner in line with the country’s human rights commitments.

What we aim to accomplish

Component 1: conducting the baseline analysis of the social service sector

·       foresees a study on the current supply and demand in social services sector

Component 2: strengthening of the capacity of CSOs on provision of social services and promoting the dialogue between the Government and CSOs

·       will be done through the national forum on the role of NGOs in policy implementation and trainings on developing the skills and expertise of the CSOs

Component 3: a study visit for experience exchange on the operation of the civil society sector in the field of social services provision and additional training on the national legislation for public organizations and procedures for engaging in public procurement