Since 2016, Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) have expanded across the Silk Routes region, adapting to changing migration realities while continuing to support people in making informed migration decisions: helping people make informed migration decisions through access to reliable information and support.
In August 2025, the regional network expanded to Uzbekistan. Established in partnership with the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, MRC Tashkent became the first Migrant Resource Centre in the country and the third in Central Asia. Since opening its doors, the centre has provided counselling, information and referral services on safe and legal migration to prospective migrants, returning citizens and their families.
Less than a year later after opening, the centre joins regional celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Migrant Resource Centres by focusing specifically on young people. On 18 June, students, government representatives and migration experts gathered at Nordic International University in Tashkent for an outreach event focused on youth awareness and protection.
The event responded to a growing reality. For many young people, opportunities to study, work or travel abroad are increasingly encountered online. While digital platforms can open new pathways, they can also expose users to misinformation, fraudulent recruitment schemes and misleading job offers.
Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants explored real-life migration scenarios, learned how to identify common warning signs of online scams and discussed where to seek reliable information before making decisions about migration. The sessions highlighted the importance of verifying opportunities, understanding migration procedures and accessing trusted support services.
Organised under the EU-funded PROTECT project, implemented by ICMPD in partnership with the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the event brought together the Office of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Children's Rights, Nordic International University, civil society organisation and other stakeholders working with young people.
The event also demonstrated the importance of cooperation between government institutions, educational organisations and civil society partners in expanding access to reliable migration-related information for young people. As one of the newest members of the regional MRC network, MRC Uzbekistan is already contributing to practical awareness-raising activities and community outreach initiatives aimed at promoting safer and more informed migration decisions.
Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Uzbekistan:
📍Tashkent, Uchtepa district, Kukcha Darvoza, 485
WhatsApp/ Telegram: +998 90 819 06 25
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