Telling the full story of these 25 years would require volumes.
But it is important to reflect on where it all began.
In the early 2000s, our Director, Nodira Karimova, participated in a project organized by the Women’s Committee. During one of the events, she met an expert from the Netherlands. A pivotal idea emerged from their exchange: in Uzbekistan, there was a critical need to raise awareness among young people about their rights, particularly in relation to violence and exploitation.

This idea resonated deeply. An initiative group was formed— bringing together individuals committed to working with youth in a purposeful and values-driven way. A strategic decision was made to focus on awareness-raising, protection, and support for young people.


On May 16, 2001, “ISTIQBOLLI AVLOD” was established as the Tashkent City Youth Information Center—marking the beginning of a journey that would later expand far beyond its original mandate. It was at this stage that the organization’s long-term direction began to take shape.

A key turning point came with a request from a partner NGO in Kyrgyzstan, the Women’s Assistance Center. Colleagues reached out seeking support in identifying an organization working on human trafficking and the protection of survivors.

During these exchanges, Ms. Roza Aitmatova, the Center’s Director, shared alarming information: young women from Uzbekistan were being transported through Kyrgyzstan to Dubai for sexual exploitation.

At that time, the full scale of the issue was not yet clear to us. Understanding came later—through real cases and the lived experiences of those we encountered in our work.
This realization led to the first concrete steps.

In response, “ISTIQBOLLI AVLOD” initiated its first programmatic interventions:

• awareness-raising campaigns among youth on the risks of trafficking and exploitation;
• the establishment of Uzbekistan’s first national hotline providing information and counselling support—offering, for many, it became a vital opportunity to seek help and avoid facing their challenges alone;
• the establishment of the country’s first shelter for women and girls affected by trafficking and violence—providing a safe and confidential space for protection, recovery, and rehabilitation;

These interventions marked a significant shift.
“ISTIQBOLLI AVLOD” became the first NGO in Uzbekistan to address human trafficking in a comprehensive and structured manner.

Over the years, the organization has built its work on early leadership, evidence-based responses, and a strong commitment to filling critical gaps in protection and support services.

This is how our organization was shaped—through first decisions, strategic action, and a willingness to lead where systems were still emerging.
This is our story.
This is our journey.
This is our impact.

The year 2025 came to a close on an unexpected and inspiring high.
Out of 165 applications submitted from around the world, our organization was selected as one of five laureates of the French Republic’s Human Rights Prize “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity”, awarded by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) under the Prime Minister of France.

Receiving this prestigious award marked a significant and uplifting milestone at the end of 2025, and a meaningful prelude to 2026 — a milestone year marking the 25th anniversary of the NGO Istiqbolli Avlod.

The 2025 Prize focused on the issue of child exploitation and trafficking—one of the most urgent and priority challenges in the field of human rights protection.

The jury gave particular recognition to one of our core areas of work: the provision of legal assistance by our lawyers to minor girls who have experienced exploitation. This support is ensured throughout all stages of investigation and judicial proceedings, helping to safeguard the rights and well-being of child survivors.



The award ceremony was presided over by Ms. Aurore Bergé, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister of the French Republic, responsible for gender equality and the fight against discrimination.
In her remarks, she highlighted her strong appreciation for our commitment to promoting a fair, humane, and professional justice system for children—one in which no child is left alone during investigation and trial processes.


International recognition of our work is both an honor and a responsibility. This award reflects the collective efforts, professionalism, and dedication of our entire team. We extend our sincere gratitude to our staff, partners, and all those who have supported us along this journey.

We enter 2026 with gratitude, renewed commitment, and readiness to continue advancing our mission.