Government and Foundations in Tajikistan

Switzerland has been active in Tajikistan since 1993, when it delivered humanitarian aid during the civil war. In 1997 Tajikistan became a member of the Swiss led group of countries in the Bretton Woods Institutions, and at this point Switzerland established a Cooperation Office in Dushanbe, marking the shift from emergency relief to long-term development cooperation. Switzerland supports Tajikistan in its economic, social and political transitions. The overall objective of its cooperation programme is to promote peace and social cohesion as well as responsive and inclusive institutions and a sustainable development to improve the well-being of the population. The Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan represents the Swiss Government and supervises Swiss projects implemented in Tajikistan funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the following domains: Water, infrastructure and climate change; Governance, institutions and decentralization; Health; Employment and economic development.

The State Agency 'Legal Aid Center' (SA LAC) was established on January 27, 2016 and is an independent specialized structure of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan. SA LAC was formed with the aim of creating a state system for managing Free Legal Aid and piloting models of Free Legal Aid in accordance with the Concept on Free Legal Aid in the Republic of Tajikistan (approved by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in November 28, 2015, No. 704).

In Tajikistan, UNDP works both with the central government and on the level of local governments to support a more accountable governance system. UNDP Tajikistan identified institutional strengthening and capacity development as prime strategy objectives over the next coming years. On the central level, UNDP supports the government in public administration reform and the parliament to enhance transparency and to fight corruption. Through its Communities Programme, UNDP works to develop a more participatory local governance system, which includes working with local authorities, civil society and community based organizations. It seeks to initiate the reform of local level governments and their role in delivering public services.

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan is the executive body implementing the state policy and normative legal regulation in the sphere of regulatory, legal aid to the citizens, promotion of legal and criminal justice, and judicial and criminal prosecutions

As one of the first international organizations, Welthungerhilfe began to provide emergency aid in Tajikistan in the midst of the Civil War in 1994. When the country’s political situation gradually stabilized, Welthungerhilfe shifted towards development cooperation, providing innovative approaches and working closely with the population and national and international partners, in order to accompany the population in the long run on their way towards food sovereignty.

ACTED continues its 20-year long commitment to the Tajik society by addressing the country’s main challenges and fostering opportunities for the sustainable and inclusive development of the country. ACTED has been especially active in building the capacity of rural communities to prevent natural disasters through the improved management of natural resources. By promoting local mechanisms for the efficient administration of water resources, ACTED contributes to improving water accessibility, livelihoods and food security. ACTED also contributes to enhancing the potential of local communities, encouraging their innovativeness and creativity to engage in income generating activities through community-oriented, demand-driven interventions.