Challenge

Uzbekistan is the fifth poorest country in the world, according to the World Bank (2011). 62.1% of the population live on less than $1.90 a day; 96.4% live on less than $5.50 a day.

Finding the right solutions is complicated by the fact that there are no sound measurements of need in Uzbekistan. Need is great in all areas of society and in all the districts of the country, but they are no measures of what level of need exists where.

Response

The economy in Uzbekistan will be built from the ground up. All Vatandosh’s programs are aimed at supporting aspects of this overall effort. Foremost is empowering the general population with the belief that they are capable of raising their economic standing and with the means of doing so.

Poverty Stoplight is a program developed by the Fundación Paraguaya (Asunción, Paraguay) that self-surveys people and households in need and empowers them to meet the challenges of their lives. It measures 50 indicators of need in six areas.

Vatandosh is now seeking funding to become the official administrator of the Poverty Stoplight program in Uzbekistan. It is Vatandosh’s aim to make Poverty Stoplight widely available to local neighborhood administrations (mahallas); GoU ministries; non- ministerial agencies; non-governmental organizations; banks offering microfinancing; and corporations seeking to improve the lives of their employees. Every individual or family included in a Poverty Stoplight will receive a monthly visit from a trained Vatandosh field officer to check on their progress and provide coaching.