Civitta Uzbekistan – our journey of growth, impact and innovation
In 2023, we started as a small but ambitious team of four, eager to make an impact. We began working on international projects, gaining valuable experience and expanding our expertise.
The journey just started, something greater awaited, calling us to step up, do more, and shape the future of our region. Uzbekistan is evolving, an economy on the rise, new opportunities, and a growing need for expertise across multiple sectors. By December 2023, we made a bold move, hiring a local Associate Partner and the expansion of our presence began on the Uzbek market.
The results? Beyond what we had imagined.
Breaking new ground
Within just three months, we secured contracts with AFD, UNDP and the World Bank, a major milestone that propelled us forward. Our team tripled in size, growing from 4 to 12 members in just a year. We broadened our focus to include education, healthcare, sustainability, energy, and agriculture, while our projects reached not only Uzbekistan, but Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
We expected gradual growth in the following years. Instead, we accomplished in one year what we thought would take three.
Transforming industries: key projects
Agriculture – a sustainable future with the Global Green Growth Institute
The Business Development Platform (BDP) in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the largest region of Uzbekistan, plays a key role in supporting farmers and agribusinesses. To ensure its long-term success, we developed a BDP sustainability strategy based on various scenarios through technical and financial assessments.
Key contributions:
- Assessed BDP’s model, user adoption, and financial performance.
- Identified market positioning for competitive differentiation.
- Developed three financial sustainability models to balance government support, donor funding, and private investments.
This roadmap secures BDP’s future, improving farmers’ access to financial tools and market insights.
Partners and Managers from the team and other Civitta offices on this project include:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Hovhannes Atabekyan
Sherzod Egashev
Antanas Speckauskas
Tazagul Illyasova
Gor Ghazaryan
Zaven Melikjanyan
Mariam Lorthipanidzhe
Healthcare – strengthening health financing with GIZ
To improve healthcare financing in Uzbekistan, we worked with the Ministry of Health and the State Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to expand and strengthen new funding mechanisms.
Key contributions:
- Assisted in scaling Uzbekistan’s healthcare financing system by supporting the operational processes and organizational setup needed for national implementation.
- Strengthened the institutional capacity of SHIF and the Ministry through targeted training, technical guidance, and advisory support in Tashkent, the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Syrdarya region.
- Developed financial regulations and performance-based payment models, advising on policy design and new contractual frameworks for healthcare providers.
Beyond financing, this initiative was part of a broader health strategy that also focused on neonatal care, vocational training for biomedical engineers, and infectious disease surveillance, ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system.
Partners and Managers from the team and other Civitta offices on this project include:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Antanas Speckauskas
Azamat Norov
Musabek Ruzimbetov
Mekhrangız Aminova
Mushtariy Togayeva
Sherzod Ergashev
Environment & tourism – sustainable development in Charvak
Uzbekistan’s urban development is accelerating, but investment decisions require data-driven insights. Our market study provided a comprehensive analysis of economic trends, regulatory frameworks, and investment opportunities.
Key lessons:
- Assessed GDP growth, inflation, and investment trends.
- Evaluated construction sector dynamics and regulatory risks.
- Identified key investment hotspots and market entry points.
This report equips investors with the knowledge to navigate Uzbekistan’s evolving urban landscape.
Partners and Managers from the team and other Civitta offices on this project include:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Hovhannes Atabekyan
Mamur Tukhtamatov
Justė Pačkauskaitė
Akmal Rakhmonaliev
Zaven Melikjanyan
Sherzod Ergashev
Mariam Sisoyan
Mekhrangız Aminova
Tiruhi Zargaryan
Ecosystem – unlocking climate data with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Effective climate action relies on accurate data. Working with OSCE, we assessed Uzbekistan’s climate datasets, identifying gaps in availability and transparency.
Key contributions:
- Mapped 50+ climate-related datasets and analyzed their accessibility.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews on policy needs and data integration.
- Developed recommendations for aligning Uzbekistan’s climate data strategy with global standards.
This work strengthens evidence-based policymaking and Uzbekistan’s climate commitments.
Partners and Managers from the team and other Civitta offices on this project include:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Zaven Melikjanyan
Mamur Tukhtamatov
Musabek Ruzimbetov
Urban development – strategic insights for Korean developers
Uzbekistan’s urban development is accelerating, but investment decisions require data-driven insights. Our market study provided a comprehensive analysis of economic trends, regulatory frameworks, and investment opportunities.
Key lessons:
- Assessed GDP growth, inflation, and investment trends.
- Evaluated construction sector dynamics and regulatory risks.
- Identified key investment hotspots and market entry points.
This report equips investors with the knowledge to navigate Uzbekistan’s evolving urban landscape.
Partners and Managers from the team and other Civitta offices on this project include:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Saidkhon Amilkhanov
Mamur Tukhtamatov
Akmal Rakhmonaliev
Agricultural innovation – supporting the development of actionable policy recommendations for the enhanced agri-food value chain with UNDP
Through workshops and policy briefs, we strengthened the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (UAKIS) by promoting climate-smart solutions and regulatory improvements.
Key outcomes:
- Held three workshops in Tashkent, Ferghana, and Karshi focused on agricultural innovation, knowledge-sharing, and policy dialogue between public institutions, farmers, and the private sector.
- Engaged 140+ stakeholders, including policymakers, farmers, and researchers.
- Developed policy recommendations on intellectual property rights for seeds and agri-tech, renewable energy access for agri-businesses, regulatory and financial incentives for climate-smart agriculture.
By connecting policy and practice, we are helping build a more sustainable agricultural sector.
The Partners and Managers from the team, as well as from the other Civitta offices are:
Saidkamolkhon Burkhanov
Hovhannes Atabekyan
Musabek Ruzimbetov
Justė Pačkauskaitė
Zaven Melikjanyan
Mariam Sisoyan
Bold step into the future
In 2024, we took another major leap and merged with AB Digital, a leading digital company in Uzbekistan. Their data-driven solutions are already used by some of the country’s largest companies and institutions, including Korzinka, NBU, and BDB, and now, we are bringing this powerful combination of consulting and technology to our clients.
This means smarter, tech-driven solutions for businesses, a stronger regional presence across Central Asia and new opportunities for digital transformation and innovation.
Said Abdunabiev
Farhad Roziev
Looking ahead
We’ve come a long way in just a short time, and this is only the beginning. We are proud of our journey, grateful for our partners and team, and excited about what’s ahead.
Our current work continues to push boundaries in both sustainability and digital transformation. With UNIDO, we are supporting the transition to more sustainable industrial practices through the Eco-Industrial Parks initiative. This includes building the capacity of local experts and carrying out resource efficiency and cleaner production (RECP) assessments in 20 companies across two major industrial zones – helping businesses reduce their environmental impact and unlock new efficiency opportunities.
At the same time, we are leading the Elektron Salomatlik (ELSA) project in partnership with KfW Development Bank – a comprehensive effort to digitally transform Uzbekistan’s healthcare system. The project involves the development of a National Digital Health Platform, a Medical Information System, and new IT infrastructure for healthcare facilities, alongside capacity building, governance reform, and the introduction of tools like e-imaging and teleradiology to improve service accessibility and quality nationwide.
We’re here to make an impact, and we’re just getting started.