The World Bank has announced the approval of additional financing through the International Development Association (IDA) to support local communities in Tajikistan. The funding aims to benefit youth, women, and vulnerable groups across the Districts of Republican Subordination, Khatlon region, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).
This $25 million grant will further the Tajikistan Socio-Economic Resilience Strengthening Project (SERSP), which employs a community-driven strategy to enhance governance, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities in targeted districts and village-level administrative divisions known as jamoats.
The new resources will be directed towards community-prioritized projects such as climate-resilient infrastructure improvements. These include the rehabilitation of schools, health clinics, water supply systems, and integrating renewable energy solutions. The project also focuses on entrepreneurship and business development training for beneficiaries and provides grants to individuals, groups, and micro and small enterprises based on market assessments and business plans.
Wei Winnie Wang, Acting Country Manager for the World Bank Group in Tajikistan stated: “The involvement of communities in planning and decision-making empowers them to help solve social and economic problems. It is a part of the World Bank Group’s larger effort to support Tajikistan by helping people get better access to jobs, enhance local facilities and services, and thus improve their livelihoods."
Originally approved on June 20, 2019, with an IDA grant of $37 million, SERSP is managed by the National Social Investment Fund of Tajikistan. The new financing will expand SERSP's reach into additional districts affected by the Rogun Hydropower Plant Project (HPP) resettlement phase two areas and other regions with high poverty rates.
Specifically targeted are jamoats in three districts—Faizobod, Nurobod, Danghara—and two cities—Rogun and Tursunzoda—which include resettlement villages under Rogun HPP's second phase. Additionally supported are other jamoats within these five districts as well as those in Qubodiyon district in Khatlon region and Roshtqal’a district in GBAO.
Currently, the World Bank finances 26 projects totaling $1.9 billion across Tajikistan.