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Vocational training helps Bosnia’s Roma to employment

bosnia's romaIn many ways, the story of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a journey of triumph in the face of hardship. Since 2015, Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved real income growth of 3% annually, helping the nation to reduce its poverty rate from just under 17% to 13.5% by 2021. However, just like every journey, people can be left behind, and in this case, Bosnia’s Roma are at risk of slipping out of Bosnia’s path to progress.

Background

The Roma community face harsh discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina, encompassing multiple aspects of life, stemming from the Roma’s classification as a non-constituent people in Bosnia. A significant consequence of this discrimination is through employment practices, which contribute to the substantial multidimensional poverty experienced by Bosnia’s Roma. There is a heavy reliance on the informal economy to supply livelihoods, which excludes them from social protections and security. Crucially, NGO projects are empowering the Roma community to break the vicious cycle of unemployment through vocational training, diversifying the labour market for Roma and facilitating access to jobs with social protections to escape poverty.

Unemployment and Discrimination

Roma do not comprise a huge proportion of the Bosnian population, but they face the harshest discrimination in the country. Ninety percent of Bosnia’s Roma do not have a job, a stark indication of the country’s failure to include them within the labour market. Roma, many of whom are Muslim, are not part of multiple forms of political participation and expression by law, a by-product of their recognition as a non-constituent people.

This categorization underpins the employment discrimination they experience, with many failing to access support services or apply for jobs due to registration difficulties and a lack of documentation. Difficulties in obtaining official documentation relates to the informal settlements the Roma community tends to reside in, preventing them from accessing a stable labour market, thus depriving them of a dependable income to live in a permanent address where access to services and documentation can be achieved.

Subsidised Employment Programs Ineffective

 

One of the central tenets of Bosnia’s Poznan Declaration in 2019 to improve Roma Integration was enhancing employability. The target was to “increase the employment among Roma to at least 25%.” The plan involved allocating 5.2 million BAM ($3.1 million) to employ 650 Roma, however, a pattern of deteriorating funding and repeatedly failing action plans has resulted in little tangible progress for increasing employment for Bosnia’s Roma.

A 60% reduction in funding from the initial strategy means that Roma employability will likely fall, due to continued bureaucratic barriers and an expiring support period from Bosnia’s latest action plan. Whilst subsidised programs have failed, community-based projects from NGOs have garnered more support and more results through its focus- providing vocational training and upskilling individuals.

NGOs remain AHEAD of the game

One innovative project helping to improve employability is the AHEAD project, which focuses on combating intolerance against Roma through the encouragement of good practices, promoting round tables and seminars to dissect the root causes of discrimination.

Through targeting hate speech in the employment sector, if offers specific training to numerous stakeholders promoting anti-discrimination processes, facilitating the progression of Bosnia’s Roma- particularly the young generation searching for employment- into active, stable employment routes.

The Otaharin Citizens Association has been active in providing vocational training, particularly for Roma women in Bosnian society. The Association provides round tables like the AHEAD project, in addition to educational projects which provide a foundation for acquiring skills, promoting the importance of secure employment.

Otaharin further promotes employability skills through their social enterprise project, supporting work placements for Roma university students and volunteering programs for Roma secondary school students to help build their experience.

The Future

These organizations’ holistic focus towards employment means that more of the Roma community, especially young, aspiring Roma, are gaining the necessary vocational skills and experience to overcome discriminatory processes. Furthermore, educating wider stakeholders to tackle deep-rooted stereotypes regarding Romani people has ensured a two-way process can begin, a journey that Bosnia’s Roma can finally be a part of.

– Oscar McClintock

Oscar is based in Cambridge, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Nigeria

Education Struggles in Nigeria According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), more than 10 million Nigerian children are not receiving formal education — the highest number in the world. Poverty, conflict and gender inequality are the biggest barriers keeping kids out of classrooms.

Causes of Educational Struggles in Nigeria

  • Lack of funding. Long-standing corruption within Nigeria, most prominently academic misconduct, defined as any action that gains or attempts to gain within an educational setting to gain an unfair academic advantage, has consistently undermined education funding in Nigeria. This has resulted in poor infrastructure, such as unsafe classrooms, limited access to clean water, untrained teachers, a lack of quality teaching materials and frequent failures to pay teachers’ allowances, all of which hinder children’s ability to secure adequate education.
  • Armed attackers. In northern Nigeria, armed attackers have attacked schools, leaving families afraid to send their children to class. “In 2022 and 2023, attacks on schools in Nigeria persisted in the context of armed conflict in northeastern states due to the presence of nonstate armed groups, as well as armed violence in northwestern and northcentral states due to pastoralist-farmer tensions.” Children ultimately suffer the most from these attacks, leaving them in a state of distress and unsafe when trying to access education. However, organizations including “Save the Children” have been working to resolve this issue and have provided 47 million children with education, medicine and food globally.
  • Girls’ vulnerabilities. Girls are especially at risk, as child marriage and household labor often hinder their educational needs. According to reports, 4 out of 10 girls marry before the age of 18 (44%) in Nigeria, totaling more than 24 million child brides. This prevents them from accessing education as they are forced to take on adult responsibilities, thereby removing their focus from necessary education. This high percentage of child marriage is detrimental to young girls, as it “violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of young girls.” Moreover, organizations supported by the United States (U.S.) foreign aid, such as UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education, are working to address these challenges. They help rebuild schools, provide learning materials and promote safe, equal access to education for girls.

Ongoing Efforts to Refocus Attention on Education

Recognizing the urgent need to tackle the issue, representatives from multiple sectors came together at the “Child Marriage Stakeholders’ Consultations” to discuss long-term strategies for ending child marriage in Nigeria.

Participants pledged to work toward eliminating child marriage nationwide by 2030 through coordinated efforts and new policies and resources at the federal, state and community levels. A key initiative introduced in Nigeria to expand access to education, the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, aims to provide free schooling to every child. It has shown success by improving access to basic education and reducing the number of children out of school. According to the United Nations (U.N.), primary school enrollment rates in Nigeria increased from 57% in 1999 to 71% in 2018. Efforts are also underway to increase investments, focusing on digital inclusion and the development of 21st-century skills, including AI integration.

Empowering Nigeria’s Future Through Education

By supporting education in Nigeria, the U.S. not only empowers millions of young people but also invests in a more stable and prosperous partner in Africa. Strong education systems reduce poverty, boost economies and help communities resist extremist groups, with benefits that extend far beyond Nigeria’s borders. In addition, reducing high levels of child marriage allows children to refocus on the education they need for a brighter future.

– Carise Wallbank

Carise is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Dying to Give Birth: Maternal Mortality in Indonesia

Dying to Give Birth: Maternal Mortality in Indonesia Experts widely recognize maternal mortality as a critical indicator of the quality of a nation’s health care system. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Indonesia, however, continues to face serious challenges in meeting these targets.

Regional Disparities Highlight Inequities in Care

According to World Bank data, 140 women die per 100,000 live births due to pregnancy-related causes in Indonesia — higher than the regional average. While maternal deaths have steadily declined, Indonesia remains among the highest in Southeast Asia, with significant disparities within the country. Hypertensive disorders and non-communicable diseases account for a growing share of maternal deaths, complicating efforts to reduce mortality.

The national MMR masks stark regional differences. Provinces in Java and Bali report lower maternal mortality rates, whereas Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia experience rates more than twice the national average. These disparities reflect unequal access to health care and differences in the availability of skilled professionals. 

Drivers of Maternal Mortality

The main medical causes of maternal death include hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis. However, structural and social factors play an equally critical role. Studies indicate that rural and remote settings correlate with higher complication rates and insufficient referrals. The availability of obstetricians and midwives explains nearly half of the variance in maternal mortality outcomes across the country. Patients from wealthier backgrounds often migrate across provinces to seek better care, highlighting the quality gaps in rural facilities.

Distance and lack of infrastructure further endanger women’s lives. As Noorkarmila, a midwife from West Java, observes, “The long distance it takes them to get to the hospital and limited facilities… it saddens me to see [a pregnant woman’s journey] to the moment she dies, especially when there are things we can do to prevent it.”

Socioeconomic inequalities, entrenched gender norms and gender-based violence (GBV) exacerbate these risks. Nationwide surveys indicate that roughly one in three Indonesian women aged 15 to 64 has experienced physical or sexual violence, which carries both immediate and long-term health consequences such as trauma, unwanted pregnancies and chronic illness. Underreporting and weak enforcement of laws further compound the problem.

Local Initiatives Bridging the Gap

Despite these challenges, local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and programs are making meaningful progress. The Indonesian Global Health Foundation provides telemedicine devices to connect rural residents with doctors, midwives and nurses, facilitating more than 350 online consultations across at least 20 villages.

Project HOPE focuses on strengthening the skills of midwives, who provide the first neonatal care for half of all infants in Indonesia. Through training and ongoing supervision, midwives gain confidence in managing common obstetric and newborn emergencies, improving outcomes in sub-district health facilities and private midwife practices.

The Road Ahead

The challenge of maternal mortality in Indonesia underscores the urgent need for equitable access to health care, investment in skilled personnel, and interventions addressing social determinants of health. Achieving the SDG targets by 2030 will require sustained efforts, particularly in underserved regions, alongside comprehensive strategies to combat poverty, gender inequality and violence against women. With targeted initiatives and local innovations, Indonesia can continue its progress toward ensuring safe motherhood for all.

– Kai Xian Lim

Kai is based in Odense, Denmark and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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In-Home Health Care Strategy: Reducing Elderly Poverty in Norway

Elderly Poverty in NorwayThe Norwegian health care system is often cited as one of the most efficient, accessible and patient-oriented nationwide health services available. In 2024, the Scandinavian country’s universal health care structure earned a number five ranking in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, a measure the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity uses to assess health care quality for 32 high-income nations.

With world-class infrastructure and prestigious credentials, Norway’s exemplary health care system offers a template for socialized coverage that neighboring countries often look to adopt. Despite its strengths, Norway’s health care system faces challenges that could leave its aging population in the margins. Fortunately, Norway’s ever-advancing welfare technology offers promising solutions. Here are the upcoming challenges older Norwegians face in securing adequate health care and how this relates to old-age poverty in Norway. 

How Norway’s Health Care System Works

Norway’s decentralized health care system allows for a higher degree of municipal management, providing a regionally tailored experience for patients across the country. National and municipal taxes fund Norway’s health care infrastructure: a system of four Regional Health Authorities that cover residents’ health insurance and oversee the country’s 20 hospital trusts.

In 2023, 11% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) accounted for health care spending. As of 2025, around one in 10 Norwegians receives private health insurance. The 2012 Public Health Act reflects Norway’s policy-forward approach to health care by making health a priority in all public service management. A well-integrated blend of national and local oversight for health care services leaves Norwegian residents with a considerable social safety net; however, recent concerns have arisen surrounding the rising costs of sustaining such a system. In particular, elderly poverty in Norway will disproportionately affect the elderly who face low socioeconomic status. 

Strained Health Care Services

As in many other developed countries, Norway’s increasing life expectancy places a significant strain on assisted living facilities that are already understaffed. From 2007 to 2017 alone, demand for nursing services jumped by 18% Per projections, demand could increase in the coming years, as 250,000 more Norwegians older than 80 will add to the country’s population in the next two decades.

Notably, the past decade saw a 37.9% increase in the number of Norwegians ages 67 to 79, a landmark figure. All the while, in the short span from 2015 to 2018, the country’s nursing home availability decreased by 2%. Old age often brings increased vulnerability to isolation and stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking care—heightening risks to both health and financial stability. Unfortunately, discrepancies exist in which Norwegians are most likely to experience these injustices as they age. 

Access to Health Care

Older Norwegians with differing educational attainment and income levels, which are often interdependent, see notable discrepancies in available health care. For example, a difference in life expectancy of up to seven years exists between Oslo’s districts. A 2024 study, highlighting higher mortality rates for elderly patients discharged to under-resourced municipalities, speaks to the social gradient that Norwegian elderly experience. Rural municipalities with populations of 10,000 or fewer, where 17% of Norwegians live, are particularly underserved. Furthermore, a higher educational degree can add four years to the life expectancy of Norwegians 65 or older, compared to those with a lower degree.

Norwegians without a high socioeconomic status may lack the financial stability to afford the costs of living in municipalities with more abundant health care services. Even when they can, only two in five patients living in municipalities with populations of 50,000 or more register for a nursing home within 15 days of requesting one. Clearly, intra-municipality competition for aging services exacerbates regional inequalities in nursing home availability. With such sparse resources, the existing social safety net may not sufficiently protect the country’s aging population from old-age poverty. 

What Elderly Poverty Means for Aging Norwegians

With current levels of competition for nursing home services, elderly poverty in Norway is at risk of increasing in the coming years. As older Norwegians are discharged early from hospitals to underserved municipalities, they may be more likely to require future care. Consistent transitions in and out of hospitals can accumulate costs over time, while the proactive care nursing homes could provide often remains out of reach for elderly people without the means to finance it.

A 2022 study also noted cases in which Norwegian employees took sick leave to care for their elderly parents. Thus, elderly poverty can become generational if aging parents depend on their children to provide the services that municipal health care doesn’t have the bandwidth to. While Norway’s nursing home services are not at a capacity to sustain current and future demand, technological advances in in-home care have the potential to address this shortcoming.

The Path Forward

The future of equal health care and prevention of old-age poverty in Norway is complex, with elderly health care needs differing between rural and urban municipalities. With 38.5% of Norway’s elderly aged 65 and older living alone, local health care services are looking to welfare technology to sustain in-home care as an alternative to nursing homes. Home installments designed to detect signs of distress and enhance autonomy enable older Norwegians to maintain a sense of independence and forgo the transition to a nursing home environment as they age.

While relieving pressure on crowded, assisted living facilities, Norwegian elderly will be able to preserve their financial resources and social networks, promoting personal resilience to otherwise life-disrupting events. In-home aging technology may still be out of reach for some older Norwegians due to socioeconomic discrepancies, but this innovation will play a central role in reducing current and future elderly poverty in Norway.

– Isla Hansen

Isla is based in Spokane, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Smaller INGOs in Honduras and Beyond

Smaller INGOS in Honduras and BeyondWith the recent federal cuts to world aid funding in the United States (U.S.), smaller international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) have both felt the strain and shown a particular resiliency. Melanie Gibbons, who has worked with the Lutheran World Relief and merger company Corus for more than 20 years, has witnessed the benefits of smaller INGOs. She highlights how working locally, collaborating with other INGOs, operating on a smaller scale and maintaining the “nimble” qualities of a small organization can be an asset in the nonprofit sector.

Honduras’ Smaller INGOs and Tuition-Free School

In Honduras, just 38% of high school students graduate. At El Hogar, a tuition-free school supported by international aid, that number jumps to 92%. After years of work, helping with the world’s poorest countries, INGOs of all sizes have realized the importance of working locally in order to accomplish sustainable progress in a region, avoid unnecessary power struggles, honor the people that they are serving and get to root causes. And working locally often means working smaller. “And this is where the benefit of the larger organizations, working with the smaller organizations, is so good,” Gibbons says. “Because these smaller organizations who are right there in and their communities will know more quickly where needs are shifting, or what is most culturally appropriate or needed.” 

The Goal of Any Good Aid Organization

The goal of any good aid organization, Gibbons says, is to put themselves out of business. She lifts up the example of Splash International, an organization that provides water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in high need cities throughout the world. It plans to accomplish its implementation goals and close its doors in 30 years and it is on track to see that happen.  

“Those relationships are what will create the ability to scale later, to pivot quickly and to meet the right needs at the right time. So the relationships are crucial.” Fundraising is a matter of relationships, which are a matter of trust and working locally. Often, working more intimately creates relationships that can last for a long time and create generational change in different regions. Gibbons emphasized that fundraising ultimately comes down to relationships, with trust as the foundation.

In her view, smaller organizations that work locally and closely with communities are especially positioned to develop long-term bonds. Those connections, she noted, can create ripple effects that last for generations. At the same time, she acknowledged that smaller INGOs face challenges—such as limited visibility and resources—which makes collaboration with larger organizations essential for sustaining impact.

Building Trust Quicker

Smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are flexible in relational terms, as well. Able to form relationships and build trust more rapidly than larger organizations. An example of this is Splash International’s work in Addis Ababa. The organization started with government schools in implementing WASH solutions like water fountains, child-friendly toilets, and hand-washing stations. After implementing them in all of the government schools, with the help of the local government, it is scaling up and reaching out to the housing and business sectors in the region. “And this I would say that that gets back to the question of scale,” Gibbons said, “and how sometimes we underestimate the smaller organizations’ role in sector solutions. They have the ability to try new things and learn quickly at a smaller scale and then translate those learnings into larger investments that can be multiplied.”

Another benefit of smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond is the collaboration that takes place among the organizations. “I think for the most part it’s a very supportive environment,” Gibbons said about the collaboration between small organizations. “Executive directors of small organizations know that they need each other. We’re always learning from each other and being supported.” Though sometimes they are vying for the same money from funders, “There’s more collaboration than competition,” Gibbons said. 

Having an Abundance Mindset is Crucial

Overall, one of the biggest assets of running, or working for, smaller INGOs is the ability to revamp the system in creative ways. Gibbons believes there’s enough out there to provide for the needs of the poorest and neediest in the world. “I really do, in my heart, believe that there’s enough for everyone, not only to survive but to thrive. The sector has some opportunities to be creative and think differently, and that’s exciting to be part of. I’m grateful to have the chance to be part of the solutions.” While she hurts for all who are hurting because of the budget cuts, she also sees a window for positive growth and change within the INGOs sector. 

Looking Ahead

Because of their ability to work locally, work collaboratively and work creatively, smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are making a big difference in providing important humanitarian aid to the world. The landscape of world aid is going through a shift, and smaller INGOs are providing relief where it is needed and working at a smaller scale and in a nimbler way to provide scalable solutions.

– Gregory Walker

Gregory is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Oxfam Fights Poverty Through Gender Equality

Oxfam Fights Poverty Across the globe, countless women face threats to their security and dignity due to systemic inequality. Marginalized groups struggle to assert their basic rights in societies built on patriarchal values that prioritize control over care. Women’s sexual and reproductive freedoms are under increasing pressure, even as they carry much of the unpaid and underrecognized labor that sustains families and communities. Yet despite their essential contributions, many women continue to endure violence, economic hardship and exclusion in systems designed to favor the wealthiest.

Those at the sharpest edge of these injustices often include women of color, immigrant caregivers and individuals living with disabilities. Oxfam places gender equality at the center of its work as it fights against poverty, aiming to create a world where people can thrive no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. The organization supports feminist leadership by helping women take control of their resources, defend their rights and live free from violence. Oxfam also works to expand girls’ access to education in conflict-affected areas, while encouraging men to challenge harmful stereotypes and share household responsibilities.

Beyond individual empowerment, Oxfam pushes for systemic change. It highlights the vital role of caregivers and care workers and advocates for policies that protect both paid and unpaid care, such as paid leave and stronger workplace protections. The organization also campaigns for equal pay and calls on corporations to contribute fairly through taxation to help fund care programs and reduce the gender wage gap.

Oxfam Promotes Gender Equality

Across the world, women are often excluded from the spaces where important choices are made—whether within families, local communities, courts, governments or corporate offices. To counter this imbalance, Oxfam and its partners focus on building inclusive leadership models that strengthen gender equality and amplify women’s rights. This approach helps women activists and leaders better understand how systems of power operate and how they can be influenced to drive meaningful change.

In Kenya, this has taken shape through civic education initiatives that equip marginalized women to engage in politics and remove obstacles to voting. Meanwhile, in Nepal, Oxfam’s “Raising Her Voice” initiative showed that nearly 42% of almost 2,000 women participating in community dialogue groups felt confident enough to influence local and regional development councils. This has resulted in financial resources being directed toward advancing women’s priorities.

In Ghana, Oxfam’s work in shea, sorghum and cocoa supply chains has helped women farmers gain financial access and a stronger voice, fostering entrepreneurship and long-term, sustainable livelihoods. Countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, where adolescent pregnancy rates remain among the world’s highest, Oxfam partners with local groups to ensure young women and girls have greater control over their sexual and reproductive health. In Latin America, Oxfam has supported indigenous women’s movements in Peru by helping them gain a stronger role in governance processes related to land, territory and forest rights, ensuring their voices are heard in spaces that directly shape their futures.

Advances

Since 2013, initiatives led by Oxfam and its partners have tackled the issue of unequal unpaid care and household responsibilities in more than 25 countries. In Ethiopia, these efforts played a pivotal role in enforcing a national policy that requires government agencies to provide on-site child care facilities for employees. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, women’s rights and caregiver organizations are being supported to strengthen their presence in political arenas where policies on unpaid care and domestic labor are shaped.

Oxfam fights poverty by recognizing that advancing women’s economic empowerment is key to breaking the cycle. By promoting equal pay, expanding access to land and credit and addressing the heavy load of unpaid domestic work, Oxfam creates opportunities for women to thrive. Fair wages and safe working conditions uplift women and strengthen their families and communities.

Oxfam Fights Poverty 

Oxfam views education as key to unlocking opportunities for girls, who are often forced out of school by poverty, early pregnancy and restrictive social norms. By promoting access to learning alongside financial literacy, health awareness and cultural attitudes shifts, Oxfam ensures girls can stay in school and build brighter futures.

In Ghana, efforts focus on creating school environments that support girls by addressing obstacles to attendance, fostering critical thinking and inspiring them to continue their studies. In Pakistan, young women have received scholarships and opportunities to strengthen their leadership abilities. Similar programs in South Sudan and Uganda work to equip both students and educators with the tools needed to build stronger, more resilient education systems.

Gender equality in the fight against poverty is both essential and transformative. By expanding girls’ education, advancing women’s leadership, protecting reproductive rights and addressing unpaid care work, initiatives across Africa, Latin America and beyond show that empowering women strengthens entire communities. When women and girls have equal opportunities, societies become more resilient and the fight against poverty gains momentum.

– Gabriella Luneau

Gabriella is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Uzbekistan’s Investment Opportunities

Uzbekistan's Investment OpportunitiesSince 2016, Uzbekistan has undertaken a remarkable transformation — from isolation to a path of reform-driven growth. As Central Asia’s most populous country, endowed with abundant natural resources and occupying a strategically pivotal location, Uzbekistan is now emerging as a hub for new investment opportunities.

Economic reforms across multiple sectors are opening up previously untapped markets, and among these, the renewable energy sector stands out. It not only offers strong financial returns for investors but also generates meaningful social and environmental benefits, making Uzbekistan a compelling case of how reform can drive inclusive and sustainable development.

Uzbekistan’s Economic Reform Journey

Uzbekistan’s reform agenda first began in 2017, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoev, marking a decisive shift from a centrally controlled, state-dominated economy toward an open, market-oriented system. The government’s strategy has focused on liberalizing key sectors, improving transparency, and creating a business-friendly environment not only for domestic investors, but foreign also.

One of the most significant reforms was the unification and liberalization of the Uzbek som. By allowing the currency to float freely, the government eliminated the black-market exchange rate, increased transparency and provided investors with a predictable and stable financial environment. This move has been instrumental in boosting the confidence of foreign investors.

Uzbekistan has also initiated a large-scale privatization program, opening up state-owned banks, utilities and manufacturing companies to private and foreign investment. This has unlocked new sectors for capital inflows, particularly in infrastructure and energy, while signalling a long-term commitment to a market economy.

Economic Growth and Investment Trends

Uzbekistan’s economic reforms have begun to yield tangible results. In 2023, the country experienced a 6% GDP growth and attracted over $7.2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), nearly doubling the amount from 2022. These investments are instrumental in modernizing infrastructure, expanding energy production, and diversifying the economy. The government’s commitment to liberalization reforms launched in 2017 continues to encourage private sector participation and foreign investment.

In 2024, FDI in Uzbekistan grew by more than 50%, with the investment volume in the fourth quarter reaching its highest level since 2021, totaling $3.87 billion. From January to December 2024, the total volume of FDI increased by 53.6%, reaching $11.9 billion, while the share of FDI in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 2.4 percentage points, reaching 10.3%. The volume of cross-border money transfers also increased by 30%, reaching $14.8 billion. 

These inflows are helping to modernize infrastructure, expand energy production and stimulate economic diversification. The government’s commitment to liberalization reforms launched in 2017 continues to encourage private sector participation and foreign investment. The government aims to double the GDP to $200 billion by 2030, leveraging significant progress in green energy and energy sector reforms.

Emerging Investment Frontier: Renewable Energy

Uzbekistan’s electricity sector remains heavily dependent on natural gas. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, natural gas accounted for 82% of the country’s total electricity generation, significantly outweighing other sources like coal, oil, hydro or wind and solar.

This reliance on gas exposes Uzbekistan to risks–including price volatility, supply disruptions, and environmental impacts –   making diversification in this current climate essential. Recognizing this, the government has committed to a bold energy transition, aiming to have 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by as early as 2030.

This policy is backed by targeted legislation, including the Decree on Accelerated Measures to Improve Energy Efficiency and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources from 2019, which explicitly sets the target for renewable electricity by 2030. This marks a significant advancement in Uzbekistan’s shift toward sustainable electricity generation. These favourable conditions have created specific avenues for investment opportunities, from solar and wind projects to modernizing the electricity grid and leveraging public-private partnerships.

Renewable Sources

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Uzbekistan has one of the most favorable solar climates in Central Asia. This makes large-scale solar photovoltaic  (PV) projects highly viable. Several pilot and commercial-scale plants are already in operation, and the government is actively seeking foreign investment to expand capacity, particularly in the Navoi, Samarkand, and Khorezm regions.

Moreover, wind corridors in regions such as Karakalpakstan and Navoi offer significant potential for utility-scale wind farms. Major Gulf and European firms have begun investing in these projects, attracted by favorable government policies, guaranteed power purchase agreements, and financing support from multilateral institutions.

Uzbekistan’s electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure requires significant upgrades to integrate renewable energy efficiently. The World Bank has approved a $100 million credit and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) a $125 million loan to modernize the power grid, including upgrading transmission lines, substations, and distribution networks. These initiatives aim to improve energy efficiency, enhance reliability, and support the integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

The government has created legal and financial frameworks to encourage PPPs, offering security in Uzbekistan’s investment opportunities, long-term contracts, and partial risk mitigation. These mechanisms make Uzbekistan a more predictable and attractive destination for foreign investors seeking both profitability and involvement in the country’s energy transition.

By combining natural advantages, supportive policy, and growing demand, Uzbekistan’s renewable energy market could be emerging as one of the most promising investment frontiers in Central Asia, thus creating greater job opportunities and wider market growth for the country.

Uzbekistan’s Investment Opportunities: The Future

=”https://borgenproject.org/the-uzbekistan-2030-strategy/”>Uzbekistan’s reform-driven transformation has created a dynamic investment climate, with the renewable energy sector emerging as a prime example of how economic openness can deliver both financial returns and social impact. Abundant solar and wind resources, ambitious government targets, and support from multilateral institutions position the country as a regional hub for clean energy investment.

Combined with grid modernization and public-private partnerships, these reforms are fostering job creation, market growth, and long-term economic prosperity, making Uzbekistan a compelling model for sustainable development in Central Asia.

– Elizabeth Occleston

Elizabeth is based in Southport, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Liberia’s Women: Socio-Economic Equality in Liberia

Empowering Liberia's WomenIn Liberia, women earn 15% less than men. Yet they are vital and form the backbone of Liberian society. Women play an important role in agriculture and informal markets and own 55% of enterprises. Yet their enterprises are small, less established than those of men and less than 5% of women have formal sector jobs. This means that women are important contributors to the Liberian economy but face significant and ongoing socio-economic inequalities that hinder their potential, sustainable income, and financial equality.

Liberia’s Women Project, Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Women Empowerment Forum are three initiatives that are bridging the socio-economic gap and empowering women through technology, training, and programmes designed to increase their financial rights and advocate for change. These initiatives not only empower Liberia’s women but also pave the way for a flourishing and equitable nation.

Liberia’s Women Empowerment Project

Liberia’s Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) utilizes a community-driven and multi-sectoral approach, which has impacted 498 communities across six counties in Liberia. Its strategy involves individual and group-based, income-generating activities such as business training, credit and saving groups and life skills programmes for more gender inclusive training. Most importantly, the project empowers Liberia’s women by teaching them how to increase their confidence and develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods. By strengthening their voices and agency, women become leaders as they engage in household and community decision-making.

Alongside the educational part of the project, it also mobilizes communities and helps change attitudes surrounding women’s socio-economic engagement which is how prejudices start to dismantle.

Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment focuses on the economic challenges women in rural areas face. Led by U.N. Women, alongside various NGOs, the initiative uses technology to improve financial inclusion and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.

Women in remote areas experience greater economic inequalities than women in urban areas, often only being engaged in subsistence farming that has limited opportunities for increasing business or accessing broader markets. The digital platform Buy from Women connects women to wider markets beyond their area.

Since the launch in 2022, more than 3,000 women have had an income increase through better access to markets powered by the Buy from Women platform. Besides broader market access, women learn about financial literacy and have more growing opportunities to carry out secure transactions and oversee their businesses, income and job opportunities.

Women Empowerment Forum Liberia

Women Empowerment Forum (WEF) enables women across Liberia to become active and influential voices in their communities. The economic empowerment program includes microfinance and entrepreneurship training to assist women in starting businesses. Vocational training workshops provide instructions and discussions on market-driven trades, which women can participate in.

Additionally, community engagement focuses on leadership training where women can practise and engage in local development issues, rights, and opportunities hosted by community forums and workshops. Not only are women taught strategic and confidence-building techniques, but they also have the chance to apply them. Alongside their financial literacy, women can put these into practice in real-life scenarios, while learning about opportunities involving entrepreneurship and business.

This holistic approach empowers women on an individual level but also builds social cohesion and economic stability. WEF has impacted several regions, alongside their increasing partnerships with local and international stakeholders. These initiatives and collaborations have made them a contributing force in Liberia’s path to gender equality.

Empowering Liberia’s Women

All three initiatives adopt a multifaceted approach to break down gender inequalities and build a more equal and prosperous future for women’s socio-economic opportunities in Liberia. By addressing the various hardships women face, from being in remote regions to having their voices suppressed or lacking access to financial literacy information, these initiatives have developed sustainable solutions. At the core, they have raised women’s voices and encouraged women to become leaders of change, self-sufficiency and empowerment in Liberia.

– Jule Riemenschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Food Security with Solar Cold Storage in Africa

Solar-Powered Cold Storage in AfricaIn sub-Saharan Africa, limited access to properly refrigerated goods means that as much as 50% of perishable produce never reaches the market, most prominently dairy, fish, fruits, and vegetables, items that are extremely valuable in this region. The continent loses $1.2 billion annually due to poor refrigeration and infrastructure, with 600 million people living without consistent access to electricity, affecting their ability to properly store food. These losses undermine hunger relief efforts and therefore hold farmers in a repetitive cycle of low income, affecting their ability to produce quality goods.

Solar Refrigeration Steps In

Companies like Sokofresh are utilizing solar-powered cold storage in Africa which is a clean, off-grid alternative to diesel-based systems. This enables farmers to preserve their perishable goods for up to 21 extra days, extending selling windows and increasing revenue potential.

Based in Nigeria, ColdHubs provides 100% solar-powered, walk-in cold rooms at rural hubs to combat post-harvest food waste for farmers. These units can store up to three tonnes and serve numerous small-scale farmers and fishers. This has ultimately reduced spoilage during transportation by up to 80%.

At the same time, Koolboks delivers solar-powered refrigeration and freezers to the Nigerian market traders to aid their protection of stock during frequent outages.

In Kenya, Sokofresh’s model helps farmers band together to access and share storage, helping them significantly cutting waste. ColdHubs’ network across 54 sites provides accessible refrigeration while generating local jobs and improving produce value.

As well as this, Uganda is implementing innovative strategies to empower female farmers, extend the shelf life of harvests, and strengthen local markets. This approach maximises available resources and serves as a model for reducing food waste and providing relief across Africa.

Barriers to Scaling Solar Cold Storage in Africa

However, there continues to be barriers as in Tanzania, up to 50% of tomato harvests spoil before reaching consumers due to a scarcity of cold storage. Significant obstacles are preventing Tanzania from introducing solar-powered storage, including institutional and technological barriers, foreign investment and aid to electrification project that require reshaping.

From the strides Nigeria has made in improving their food storage, this has awoken Rwanda’s eyes in attempting to reduce its food wastage by utilizing solar-powered storage. The model uses solar energy to complement Rwanda’s initiatives to reduce their post-harvest loss whilst increasing their green energy and cutting carbon emissions.

Cooling Towards Prosperity

Solar-powered cold storage has made significant differences in a multitude of countries all around Africa. Protecting the post-harvest quality, reducing waste and helping preserve farmers’ goods, this innovation supports food security, gender equity, and sustainable rural economies. This solar-powered solution can significantly reduce the $1.2 billion annual waste of improperly stored food and help provide wider access to food for those without consistent electrical connections.

– Carise Wallbank

Carise is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Landlocked Developing Countries Become Global Players

Landlocked Developing CountriesOf nearly 200 countries, 32 tend to be overlooked in global discussions. Because landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) lack direct access to seaports, they must rely on more complex and costly routes to reach international markets. While they make up more than 7% of the world’s population, in 2024 they accounted for only 1.2% of global trade. Being landlocked slows their economic growth and widens the development gap with other developing countries.

As countries that are directly cut off from access to the sea, they must face many challenges. These include slow delivery times, high transport costs and border procedures directly impacting economic success and progress. Beyond economic and geographical barriers, the climate emergency worsens the problem. It damages roads and disrupts supply chains, threatening the fragile infrastructure with droughts, floods and other forms of extreme weather.

Despite these barriers, LLDCs are progressing toward becoming active global trade players, working to develop as they adopt goals that could successfully lift millions out of poverty.

Turning Point and Success

More recently, a United Nations (U.N.) conference in landlocked Turkmenistan has led to hope regarding LLDCs. The conference brought together Heads of State, development partners, private sector leaders and U.N. officials. Leaders highlighted the Awaza Program of Action for 2024 to 2034. The Program encompasses five priority areas:

  1. Trade and regional integration;
  2. Economic and structural transformation;
  3. A focus on the development of transport and infrastructure;
  4. Adaptation to climate change and the reduction of disasters;
  5. The mobilization of partnerships and financial assistance.

Seeking to accelerate progress, the Awaza Program sets a clear direction. Its focus spans trade facilitation, transport connectivity, climate resilience, the mobilization of international support, structural transformation and technology. It aims to align domestic and global nations within a shared framework for sustainable development.

A U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) report examined Asian LLDCs. It argued that to accelerate structural transformation, these countries must diversify their economies and reduce dependency on extractive industries. Regarding poverty alleviation and structural transformation, what matters most is a reallocation of production factors that leads to the growth of labor-intensive sectors. Since labor is the primary input of those experiencing poverty in production processes, expanding the labor sector is key to long-term poverty reduction.

What’s Next

Looking forward, LLDCs are working to turn these commitments into real progress. Several initiatives worldwide show that development is truly possible, stressing the need for smarter infrastructure, broader economic diversification and simplified customs procedures. In Africa, electronic cargo tracking and Central Asia’s use of electronic TIR carnets have reduced delays and encouraged private sector participation in cross-border trade.

Upcoming global forums, such as COP30 in Brazil in November 2025, the UNCTAD conference and the 2027 Global Mountain Summit, will give LLDCs opportunities to push their priorities higher on the international agenda. The international community must continue to foster cooperation among LLDCs so they can more easily access global markets. Stronger cooperation will drive regional integration and build an international framework of shared rules, standards and goals.

Conclusion

While the precarious geographical position of LLDCs presents many obstacles, recent developments show that their future does not need to be limited by borders. Through international cooperation, domestic policy development, structural transformation and the adoption of innovative trade systems, LLDCs are steadily moving from “landlocked” to “landlinked.”

This transformation goes beyond economic development, improving the lives of millions. Lower transport costs allow for the development of domestic industries and cheaper goods for families. Infrastructure projects create jobs, economic diversification raises wages and climate-resilient systems protect vulnerable communities. These projects contribute to the reduction of poverty and to narrowing the gap between LLDCs and other developing countries.

– Rafaela Paquet

Rafaela is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash