Dushanbe, 5 June 2026 – Government representatives, local authorities, civil society organisations, businesses, academia, and development partners gathered in Dushanbe to discuss practical approaches to strengthening local economic development through improved planning and collaboration.
The roundtable, “Managing Local Economic Development in Tajikistan: Planning and Cooperation between CSOs, Jamoats and the Private Sector,” was organised by the NGOs Saodat and Fidokor in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Committee for Local Development under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The event was held within the Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) Programme, funded by the UK Government and implemented in cooperation with the Development Policy Institute (Kyrgyz Republic).
Participants reviewed current local development planning practices, explored international and regional experience, and discussed ways to strengthen evidence-based planning, forecasting, and coordination between local and national levels of government.
“One of the Government of Tajikistan’s key priorities is improving people’s well-being, which cannot be achieved without strengthening local development and improving the quality of life in communities”, said Manuchehra Madjon, Head of the Main Department for Investment Policy and Regional Development at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
The event also showcased the first results of local economic development microprojects implemented in Sughd and Khatlon regions, demonstrating how cooperation between local authorities, communities, and the private sector can stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs, and increase household incomes.
“Local economic development begins with understanding the unique potential of each territory. When local authorities, communities, and businesses work together, even small initiatives can generate sustainable economic outcomes and improve people’s lives”, said Nadezhda Dobretsova, Chairperson of the Development Policy Institute Board.
The discussion concluded with recommendations to strengthen the role of jamoats in local economic development planning, expand data-driven decision-making, integrate local development indicators into national monitoring systems, scale up support for local economic initiatives, and deepen partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector.
