Riga Hosts Capacity-Building Program for Uzbekistan’s Civil Society to Strengthen Transparency and Anti-Corruption Efforts

From 20 to 25 April 2026, representatives of civil society organizations from Uzbekistan engaged with Latvian public institutions, civil society organizations, and experts to explore practical approaches to civic participation, institutional cooperation, and accountability. The study visit was organized by Transparency International Latvia in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the financial support of the European Union and Germany.

Exchanges focused on how Latvia has developed mechanisms for involving citizens in decision-making, supporting civil society organizations, and promoting transparency in public administration, including at the municipal level through a regional visit to Kuldīga Municipality. Particular attention was given to the importance of trust, dialogue, and collaboration between the public sector and society in achieving sustainable governance outcomes. A key takeaway from the Capacity-Building Program was the “Consult First” principle, an approach adopted in Latvia that emphasizes guidance and consultation before legal enforcement. By prioritizing early engagement with businesses and citizens, this model aims to prevent violations and encourage compliance, while fostering a more constructive relationship between regulatory authorities and stakeholders.

“I found the experience highly practical and relevant for Uzbekistan. The ‘Consult First’ approach shows how institutions can prevent problems before they escalate, by working directly with citizens and businesses. This builds trust and improves the overall effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts” said Mansur Seitov Sherikbaevich, representative of the Republican Center for Public Opinion Research “Ijtimoiy Fikr”.

Participants identified the potential to adapt this approach in Uzbekistan, particularly within anti-corruption compliance systems. Introducing consultative mechanisms, strengthening early risk detection, and enhancing communication between public institutions and the private sector could contribute to more effective and preventive anti-corruption efforts. “Cooperation between civil society organizations and state institutions is essential for sustainable anti-corruption efforts. In Latvia, this partnership has helped to strengthen accountability and public trust over time,” noted Arturs Bikovs, Researcher at Transparency International Latvia. 

The programme included visits to key institutions such as the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the Civic Alliance of Latvia, the Society Integration Fund, the Riga City Council.

The initiative was implemented within the framework of the project “Improving Governance in Uzbekistan – Inclusive Corruption Prevention,” co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.