Why is this important
The goal of bringing the average annual reading level to 10 books per person in 2026-2030 sets a measurable benchmark for state policy in the field of reading and book culture. The establishment of the fund under the Youth Affairs Agency establishes a separate financing mechanism through which authors, publications, and translations will be supported.
What happened
- The resolution “On measures to develop reading culture and increase interest in reading among the population” sets the goal of increasing the average annual reading culture level to 10 books per person in 2026-2030.
- The resolution also provides for the establishment of a Reading Culture Development Fund under the Youth Affairs Agency and defines the directions to which its funds will be directed.
Numbers and facts
- The Fund for the Development of Reading Culture will allocate funds for grants and the publication of works by young writers through a competition, as well as to support projects in the field of children’s literature.
- It is envisaged to identify talented authors through a competition and create conditions for their creative work by paying a monthly remuneration of up to one year in the amount of 50 times the BCV.
- When translating the best works of foreign literature into Uzbek and national literature into foreign languages, the fund will cover 50% of preparation and publication costs and 80% of copyright expenses.
- Members of the Board of Trustees are entitled to a quarterly bonus payment of up to 50 times the BCV, which amounts to approximately 20 million soums.
Context
- The launch of the fund creates a separate funding channel through which reading support will be expressed in specific instruments — grants, authors’ payments, and translation subsidies.
- Monthly remuneration up to one year tied to the BCV increases the predictability of support for young authors and makes competitions not only “one-time” but also long-lasting in terms of impact.
- Compensation for a significant portion of translation and copyright costs should reduce barriers to publishing translated literature and promoting national literature in foreign languages.
