From 26 to 30 May 2025, the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA 10), funded by the European Union (EU), organised a regional Boot Camp in Samarkand aimed at enhancing the project management capabilities of civil society organisations (CSOs), particularly those working in the border areas of Central Asia.

As civil society across the region often faces limited resources and fragmented expertise, the Boot Camp provided a structured and practical approach to project development, with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability and effective communication. Participants received guidance from EU experts and mentors through stages of the project cycle - from concept development and strategic planning to budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and fundraising. 

“This intensive five-day Boot Camp transformed the way I approach my work. I’m leaving with a clear strategy, meaningful connections and a fresh perspective on how to bring lasting change to my community” - said Gavxarxon Xusanova, a participant and social worker from “Society of Persons With Disabilities of Uzbekistan”.

Another participant, Sholpan Usmanova, representing the regional public association “Sergali-Turkestan” from Kazakhstan, shared her experience: “Before the Boot Camp, there were always gaps when planning our community projects. This training gave me a clear structure and practical tools to help us create real and measurable impact”.

Participants also highlighted that this initiative not only strengthened their capacity to design and implement projects that benefit vulnerable populations, but also served as a valuable platform for building regional networks, fostering partnerships and knowledge-sharing among organisations across Central Asia.

On the final day of the Boot Camp on the project management cycle, participating CSOs presented project proposals tailored to the needs of their target groups in their respective border areas, laying the groundwork for potential further cooperation with the government and international partners. The proposals aimed to address issues such as improvement of financial literacy, development of social entrepreneurship and supporting provision of state socio-economic services for vulnerable population groups, particularly women, children and youth in border areas. By empowering civil society actors in the region, the EU is helping to bring real, positive change to communities across the region.