Central Asia Program

CAP UZBEKISTAN POLICY BRIEF by Éva Berde and Myassar Kurbanova, February 11, 2026

Uzbekistan’s youth are not a problem to be managed but a resource to be mobilized. The Deadweight Loss of Emigration framework demonstrates that the economic consequences of emigration depend critically on who leaves, under what conditions, and within which institutional environment. While low-skilled emigration may appear beneficial in the short run, it signals structural weakness. High and medium-skilled emigration, by contrast, represents a clear and lasting economic loss.

The central policy challenge is therefore not to maximize remittances, but to minimize deadweight loss by creating an economy in which young people can and want to build their futures at home. The demographic window is open, but it will close. Decisions taken now will determine whether Uzbekistan enters the next phase of its demographic transition with a strong productive base or with a lasting legacy of missed opportunity.

More: https://centralasiaprogram.org/cap-uzbekistan-publications/the-deadweight-loss-of-emigration-in-uzbekistan-and-the-potential-of-youth-to-unlock-the-demographic-dividend/

Economist Richard Pomfret: "Uzbekistan is experiencing a period when transport costs to major markets in Asia and Europe are falling. If accompanied by appropriate domestic polices to reduce the cost of doing business and of conducting international trade, this offers a window of opportunity for diversification of the Uzbek economy."

https://centralasiaprogram.org/cap-uzbekistan-publications/prospects-for-economic-growth-through-export-diversification/

The VII Foundation has an open call for the Visual Journalism Program, this one targeting Central Asian photographers -- deadline January 16th.
The online course, which spans 12 weeks, is tuition-free and is targeted at any working professionals who may not have had opportunities for formal media training.

📣 — VJP.1.031 Central and the Caucasus: Visual Journalism Program, Level 1⁠
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We are continuing to accept applications for this tuition-free Level 1 , open to 12 participants who are citizens and residents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Mongolia. ⁠
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Over 12 weeks, this online provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary and the practical skills required to produce suitable for publication in an environment. Participants will gain an understanding of research methods, ethical considerations, and visual storytelling techniques that help transform local stories into responsible and engaging reporting. ⁠
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The first half of the course establishes a solid theoretical and practical foundation, including short to build an initial photo essay. The second half expands into professional development, covering business concepts for freelance , , and presentation skills — preparing participants to communicate their work with clarity and confidence. ⁠
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Application Deadline: January 4, 2026, at 23:59 EST ⁠
https://theviifoundation.org/event/vjp-1-031-central-asia/
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📅 Course Dates: February 12 – May 15, 2026⁠
📍 Location: Online | Tuition: Free ⁠
➡️ Deadline: January 4, 2026⁠
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📷️ Refugee deported from Pakistan at the Torkham border, waiting to receive international aid. Torkham border, Nangarhar, Afghanistan. 2023. © Aman Sayed Sadat for The VII Foundation.
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Greetings friends of CAP! Please join us for an upcoming virtual session with Dr. O’Connor. The zoom link and registration is available via the QR code. We hope to see you soon!

❗️The deadline is now extended to October 20, 2025!

Yevropa, Rossiya va Yevroosiyo tadqiqotlari institutining (IERES) Markaziy Osiyo dasturi (CAP) oʻzining “CAP Oʻzbekiston: Islohotlar va taraqqiyot yoʻllari” (“CAP Uzbekistan: Pathways of Reform and Development”) loyihasi doirasida oʻtkaziladigan Oʻzbekistondagi islohotlarni qoʻllab-quvvatlash boʻyicha ilk stipendiyasini (”Uzbekistan Reform Support Fellowship”) mamnuniyat bilan eʼlon qiladi.

Ushbu tashabbus doirasida oʻzbekistonlik besh nafar ishtirokchi AQSHning Vashington shahrida uch oylik (2026-yil fevral-aprel oylarida) kunduzgi dasturda oʻz malakalarini oshiradi.

https://centralasiaprogram.org/cap-spotlight/uzbekistan-reform-support-fellowship/

Yevropa, Rossiya va Yevroosiyo tadqiqotlari institutining (IERES) Markaziy Osiyo dasturi (CAP) oʻzining “CAP Oʻzbekiston: Islohotlar va taraqqiyot yoʻllari” (“CAP Uzbekistan: Pathways of Reform and Development”) loyihasi doirasida oʻtkaziladigan Oʻzbekistondagi islohotlarni qoʻllab-quvvatlash boʻyicha ilk stipendiyasini (”Uzbekistan Reform Support Fellowship”) mamnuniyat bilan eʼlon qiladi.

Ushbu tashabbus doirasida oʻzbekistonlik besh nafar ishtirokchi AQSHning Vashington shahrida uch oylik (2026-yil fevral-aprel oylarida) kunduzgi dasturda oʻz malakalarini oshiradi.

https://centralasiaprogram.org/cap-spotlight/uzbekistan-reform-support-fellowship/

❗️The deadline is now extended to October 20, 2025!

The inaugural Uzbekistan Reform Support Fellowship will bring together five fellows from Uzbekistan for an intensive three-month, in-person program in Washington, D.C. (February–April 2026).

Central Asia Program

https://centralasiaprogram.org/capuz-fellowship/uzbekistan-reform-support-fellowship/

Join us on June 6 as we pay tribute to People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Kizlarkhon Dusmukhamedova in our special concert:
“Colors of the Silk Road: Celebrating 30 Years of Silk Road Dance Company” 🌟

Enjoy featuring dances she taught us, alongside vibrant performances from our Uzbek, Persian, Tajik, Uyghur, Georgian, Afghan, and Azeri repertoires.

🎉 No tickets or reservations required — just come and celebrate!
Parking available at Takoma Park police station; across the street at Piney Branch Elementary School.

Call for Papers: “Academic Freedom in Flux: Purpose, Beneficiaries, and Practices in the Contemporary World.”

Application form: https://forms.gle/USXVwCvkwbGnp1Yr7

Join us for a dynamic panel exploring the future of Central Asia through the lenses of green markets, economic integration, and youth political culture. Experts will discuss sustainable growth under China’s BRI, regional cooperation amid global protectionism, and how young people in Kazakhstan are responding to political reforms.

RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/w2fd56w

Amid global shifts, Central Asian nations are deepening regional cooperation through diplomacy, economic reforms, and shared identity.

Join us to explore initiatives like C5+1, border agreements, and the vision of a “Central Asian Renaissance.”

RSVP: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/by38297

Announcement from our partner organization:

Dear early career researchers,

For our interdisciplinary summer school series “Social Cohesion and Public Policy in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Disentangling the Linkage Through Ideas, Interests, and Institutions” we are looking for participants for three international summer schools in three different countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.

Participants will:

Engage in interactive training on research methodology, policy impact, transdisciplinary approaches, and public engagement.
Develop their own academic and/or policy-oriented research project(s).
Collaborate with leading experts and peers from across the region and Germany.
Produce outputs such as policy briefs, academic papers, and podcasts.
Receive certificates and opportunities for high-quality publication.

Take a look at our Call for Participants in the attachment or under this link (https://ipp.ht.tu-dortmund.de/storages/ipp-ht/r/Dokumente/Flyer__Poster__Abstracts/Call_for_Participants_Final.pdf) and apply by June 20, 2025. We are much looking forward to see you in Bishkek!