Uzbekistan is set to begin a pioneering education and infrastructure initiative funded by previously confiscated assets. On 1 October 2025, the country will launch a $20 million “Modelling Climate Resilience and WASH in Schools” programme, aimed at renovating rural schools with climate-adapted water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) systems, energy upgrades, and governance reforms.
The funding originates from assets confiscated in Switzerland linked to Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s late president. Under a restitution agreement negotiated between Uzbekistan and Swiss authorities, and implemented via the UN Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Multi-Partner Trust Fund, approximately $182 million in seized funds are being transferred back to Uzbekistan. The $20 million for the school project marks one of the first major allocations of these restituted resources.
The project targets 45 rural schools across Uzbekistan. Planned interventions include the installation of clean water systems, upgrading heating systems with renewable energy technologies, and sustainably enhancing energy efficiency. Most importantly, around 2,700 teachers and administrators will be trained in climate resilience, WASH practices, gender-responsive infrastructure and community engagement. The project is expected to benefit some 31,500 students, especially in remote areas where basic WASH services are deficient. Many schools in Uzbekistan currently lack reliable water access, use outdated sanitation systems, or rely on inefficient heating.
Uzbekistan’s approach offers a potentially replicable model for other countries seeking to convert recovered corrupt assets into sustainable public goods. By prioritising schools, the country aims to signal that restitution is not merely symbolic, but transformative.
