In Uzbekistan the makhalla institute — a key platform for promoting human dignity

The makhalla serves as a social space, acting as a bridge of trust between society and the state, fostering socialization and cultivating a spirit of tolerance and commitment to the well-being of the community. Across our country, there are 9,435 makhallas, each with a unique name that carries deep historical significance. These names embody the centuries-old, rich history of our people, reflecting its socio-political and economic life, as well as its cultural heritage.

Today, the makhalla plays an active role across all spheres of our social life. Its contributions have become increasingly significant in fostering entrepreneurship, supporting employment, reducing poverty, providing social assistance, and addressing a wide range of socio-economic issues. The primary goal of reforming the makhalla institution is to create dignified living conditions for the population and improve the quality of services delivered.

The makhalla and its management system represent not only a community or place of residence but a fully developed institution of civil self-governance. It plays a vital role in enhancing the socio-political and cultural engagement of the population, strengthening respect for the historical values of the Uzbek people, promoting adherence to ethical standards and accountability in interpersonal relations, and ensuring the diligent fulfillment of civic responsibilities toward society.

Currently, strengthening our country’s prestige and authority, ensuring national unity, and preserving state integrity are being achieved, in part, through the delegation of certain government powers to the makhalla institution. This approach fosters closer engagement between the population and public administration processes, enhances citizens’ trust and confidence in the state, and creates conditions for the elevation of human dignity.

The “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy, approved by the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan on September 11, 2023, warrants special attention, as it prioritizes large-scale efforts to build a people-centered state and to enhance the public administration system. In particular, Goal No. 74 focuses on improving the population’s well-being and transforming the makhalla into a “connecting bridge” between society and government bodies, which will aid in addressing everyday issues and improving living conditions in the regions.

Furthermore, plans include transferring at least 30 percent of the responsibilities and functions of agencies such as finance, taxation, and employment to the makhalla level, as well as organizing the provision of over 100 government services within makhallas in a “one-step access” format.

A key element of the new system is the role of the “makhalla seven”  team in identifying and mobilizing the makhalla’s internal resources to deliver social services and assistance to residents. Efforts by representatives of government bodies and organizations working within makhallas are now coordinated to ensure the timely and effective resolution of local issues.

A legislative system regulating the activities of the makhalla institution has been established in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Article 127 of the new edition of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan states that “… the self-governing bodies of citizens, in accordance with the law, shall have the right to independently resolve issues of local importance, based on the interests of citizens, historical features of development, as well as national values, local customs, and traditions”. The primary regulatory act governing the activities of makhallas is the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Self-Governing Bodies of Citizens”, adopted on April 14, 2013.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, self-governing bodies of citizens can be regarded as territorial public associations. Recognizing the makhalla institution as an integral part of the socio-political authority highlights its fundamental distinction from non-governmental non-profit organizations. Self-governing bodies are established on the basis of territoriality and operate within administrative-territorial units.

A number of regulatory acts have recently been adopted to reform the activities and management of makhallas. In particular, the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dated December 21, 2023, titled “On Measures to Radically Enhance the Role of the Makhalla Institute in Society and Ensure Its Functioning as a Primary Link in Addressing Population Issues,” established the “Makhalla Seven” structure, which includes the makhalla chairperson, the hokim’s assistant, a youth leader, a women’s issues activist, a preventive inspector, a social worker, and a tax inspector.