Our Programming Procedures

Preparation of the Regional Strategy Paper

In accordance with the "Guidelines for Implementation of the Common Framework for the Preparation of Country Strategy Papers " the Commission includes an analysis of the policy agenda of the partnerstate into its Strategy Paper. This implies that the policies of Uzbekistan are on a regular basis communicated to the European Commission.

Obviously, the NCU is not involved in defining policies. Its task in this process limits itself to the preparation of an overall policy document in both English and Russian. The policies themselves are designed by line Ministries, State Agencies and the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. The process of updating the policies is ongoing throughout the year.

Typical sectoral policy papers contain 3 chapters. These are;

--  An overview of the state of affairs in the sector at that moment;
--  The sectoral policy pursued by the Government, including benchmarks;
--  A short and medium term action programme.

The Strategy Paper is prepared by the European Commission, taking into account the views expressed by the Government.

Preparation of the Indicative programme (IP)

Though closely related to the preparation of the RSP a follow-up matter is the Indicative programme (IP). The indicative programme is building on the strategy paper by identifying the specific area’s of cooperation up to listing out a number of possible interventions that can be carried out. The IP also includes a multi annual budget breakdown.

Most of the information that the NCU needs for the IP is incorporated into the information for the strategy paper that the NCU collects trough the short and medium term action programme. This action programme though contains ALL activities that have to be carried out by the respective institution in order to achieve the objectives stated in the policy document. These may be actions that the institution can or should carry out by itself or where it needs assistance. Of these assistance needs, some may be eligible for financing by the European Commission. These eligible needs may be included in the proposals for the Indicative Programme for later consideration during the Action Programming.

The final version of the Indicative Programme is prepared by the European Commission’s services after an extensive dialogue with the NCU.

The Action Programme

During the preparation of the Action Programme (AP) the NCU identifies on the basis of the IP the action to be proposed to the European Commission for financing under the applicable budget year. During this process the both the NCU and the European Commission (Aidco) identify specific activities that can be carried out using the available finances. The selection criterions include;

• Does it fit in the area of co-operation as identified in the IP;
• Are the funds available in accordance with the budget breakdown;
• Is there sufficient scope for achieving progress with the activity;
• Have previous donor interventions been successful;
• Will the results be sustainable;
• Is there no overlap with the activities from other donors;
• Are there synergies possible with other donors?

Based on this criterion the NCU may propose the project for financing to the European Commission. From it’s side, the EC may also propose projects to be financed and implemented. The final list of projects is therefore agreed during a project identification mission to Uzbekistan from the Programming Co-ordinator.

Project implementation

During the implementation of a project the NCU represents the Government of Uzbekistan. To this end the NCU monitors the performance of both the contractor and the beneficiary or counterpart institution. In case of problems that may occur during the implementation the NCU will initiate corrective action as far as the problem is within its area of responsibility.

In the case that it is not the responsibility or the authority of the NCU to take action it will initiate a discussion with the responsible project manager in Europeaid or other involved institution in order to resolve the problem.

The NCU also provides visa and customs clearance support to projects. The procedures for both visas and customs outlined on this site.