State program for the provision of targeted social assistance in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2018 – 2020. Country/Territory Tajikistan Document type Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Food & nutrition Keyword Policy/planning Poverty Rural employment Subsidy/incentive Geographical area Asia, Central Asia, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA, Landlocked Developing Countries, North Asia Abstract State program for the provision of targeted social assistance in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2018 – 2020 is a sectoral nationwide policy document designed to improve the social status of poor citizens and families. One of the main objectives of the State program shall be implementation of a set of measures for social support of low income families and vulnerable strata of the population. State support must be targeted and designated based on the actual assessment of the welfare of the applicants. State measures within the framework of social protection policy are based on constant analysis and interest in poverty reduction. During the first stage of implementation of the poverty reduction strategy for 2002-2006, two systems of allocating and paying state benefits to poor families began to operate in Tajikistan in 2001: the first is a benefit paid to poor families with children studying in general education schools and the second from 2004 to the present day is the payment of compensation to poor families for using electricity and natural gas. The main objectives of the State program are: (a) to help reduce the difficult situation and support poor citizens (families); (b) to create conditions to enable poor citizens (families) to improve their living standards; (c) to facilitate access of poor citizens (families) to electricity and their integration into public life; (d) reducing the poverty level of the population; and (e) efficient use of budget funds. Promotion of employment is one of the measures contributing to the improvement of the welfare of citizens in a difficult life situation and citizens (families) recognized as poor by established methods. Social support to citizens during unemployment, especially non-competitive employment in the labor market, is one of the main government priorities in promoting employment. Full text Russian Website filial-nic-mkur.tj