Gulnara Karimova’s funds returned to Uzbekistan will be used to repair rural schools

The “Ishonch” Foundation, which manages Gulnara Karimova’s assets returned to Uzbekistan, will allocate $20 million to renovate dozens of rural schools, the UN press service reports.

According to the information, the project will become one of the largest examples of the targeted use of assets previously associated with corruption. In particular, the initiative will begin on October 1, 2025. The project plans to renovate at least 45 rural schools across Uzbekistan.

The authorities plan to install safe water supply systems, modern toilets and sanitary facilities, as well as energy-efficient heating and “green energy” sources in them, which will reduce resource consumption and harmful emissions levels. To implement the initiative, the fund will allocate funds confiscated from Gulnara Karimova in Switzerland.

The new renovation is planned to improve the learning conditions for 31,500 children, including girls, for whom gender-sensitive and confidential sanitation conditions will be created. In addition, the new equipment should reduce the number of missed classes due to the lack of basic amenities, and ensure the training of 2,700 educators and administrators in climate resilience, sanitation, and community engagement.

It was noted that currently, the country has one of the fastest-growing percentages of school-age children in the world. At the same time, more than 1.4 million students attend schools where access to water is limited or absent. In this regard, the project is aimed at creating climate-resilient, safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive infrastructure that can serve as a model for all educational institutions in the country.

The fund also announced that the “My Best School” portal will be launched in the country, where parents, teachers, and local residents will be able to monitor budgets, construction deadlines, contractors, and progress in real-time. In addition, it is planned to test the “Honesty Pact” mechanism, which will involve representatives of civil society. This initiative will be aimed at ensuring the anti-corruption nature of all processes.

We will ensure that each reconstructed school meets the needs of parents, teachers, and children, and the fulfillment of restitution promises is in the interests of the people of Uzbekistan, — said Sayyora Xodjayeva, Head of the Public Council under the “Ishonch” Foundation.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan responded to the UN’s accusations of violating Gulnara Karimova’s rights. In the report, the Working Group pointed out that there was no arrest warrant, the trial was closed, and the “court hearing was in the kitchen”.