GEYC joined the official garagErasmus delegation, representing the wider Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) community, at the Central Asia-European Union Youth Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 26-27 October 2026. The event brought together young professionals, international alumni networks, universities and public institutions to advance cooperation in education, entrepreneurship, youth participation and international mobility.
On 26-27 October 2026, the Central Asia-European Union Youth Forum and Scientific and Practical Conference took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, bringing together young people, researchers, educators, youth organisations and institutional representatives from Europe and Central Asia.
Organised by the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the OCEANS Network and the Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA), the forum provided a platform for exchanging experiences, exploring European funding opportunities and strengthening international partnerships.
The European delegation brought together more than ten ESAA representatives, including members of its constituent networks, with GEYC participating as part of the official garagErasmus delegation.
Among the key contributors were Dr. Rustam Abduraupov, Rector of UDEA; Abdulaziz Suyarov, Advisor to the Director and Head of Strategic Planning and Prospective Projects at Uzbekistan's Youth Affairs Agency; Mahmudjon Utkurov, Project Manager at the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan; Leila Benabdallah, member of the OCEANS Network; and Azizbek Ganiev, Uzbekistan Country Representative of the Erasmus Mundus Association. The thematic sessions featured Adelina Dragomir (Head of Future Skills, GEYC, Romania), Nagore Quintano Fernández (IATS-CSIC/OCEANS, Spain), Tuğce Altuğ (Young Intelligence Association), Tommaso Tagliani (Erasmus Student Network), Samir Beharic and Jovhar Museyibzada (OCEANS Network), as well as Gevorg Harutyunyan (garagErasmus and EduHub) and Madina Urazmanbetova (OCEANS Network). Together, these contributors brought complementary perspectives from youth policy, higher education, scientific research, international mobility, entrepreneurship and youth leadership, enriching the exchange between European and Central Asian participants.
The first day was hosted by the University of Digital Economics and Agrotechnologies (UDEA) in Tashkent, an institution collaborating with Coventry University in the United Kingdom to deliver internationally oriented educational programmes. The conference opened with contributions from university leadership, the Youth Affairs Agency, the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan and representatives of international alumni networks.
Discussions explored opportunities under Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, Horizon Europe and other international programmes, alongside practical experiences in academic mobility, skills development, entrepreneurship, research and youth leadership. Parallel sessions enabled participants to exchange perspectives on European-funded projects, career development, artificial intelligence, international education and cross-border cooperation.
Connecting the Erasmus Generation Across Continents
The forum highlighted the importance of international alumni communities in sustaining cooperation beyond individual mobility experiences. Four organisations and initiatives are particularly relevant to understanding this international ecosystem.
The Erasmus+ Student and Alumni Alliance (ESAA) is an international umbrella alliance bringing together four major Erasmus+ student and alumni networks: the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA), garagErasmus and OCEANS. Supported by the European Union, ESAA strengthens connections among current and former participants in European mobility programmes, promoting professional development, intercultural learning, international cooperation and active participation. Its activities help transform individual educational experiences into lasting networks and opportunities for collaboration across countries and sectors.
The OCEANS Network, whose name stands for Organisation for Cooperation, Exchange and Networking, is a global community bringing together students and alumni who have participated in international credit mobility between European and partner-country universities. As one of ESAA's four constituent networks, OCEANS promotes international dialogue, knowledge exchange, personal and professional development, and cooperation between academic communities worldwide. Its involvement in organising the Tashkent forum reflected its commitment to connecting Erasmus+ alumni with new international opportunities.
garagErasmus is a European foundation and professional network established in 2012 to ensure that the benefits of international mobility continue beyond the exchange experience itself. The organisation connects universities, companies, cities and Erasmus alumni, supporting employability, entrepreneurship, innovation and active European citizenship. Through professional networking, skills development, international cooperation and support for new initiatives, garagErasmus helps members of the Erasmus Generation transform their experiences into long-term professional and societal contributions. GEYC's participation through the garagErasmus delegation created an important opportunity to contribute its expertise in youth work, entrepreneurship and European project development to this international community.
Erasmus Mundus is an initiative within Erasmus+ that supports international cooperation in higher education, particularly through jointly designed master's programmes delivered by university consortia across multiple countries. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters enable students from around the world to study at different universities and obtain joint or multiple degrees, with competitive scholarships available to support participation. The Erasmus Mundus Association, one of ESAA's member networks, connects graduates and students of these programmes and contributes to international alumni cooperation. For young people in Central Asia, Erasmus Mundus offers an important pathway towards advanced education, international research networks and professional development.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of Europe's largest student-led organisations, established in 1989 to promote international mobility, intercultural understanding and active citizenship. Through its extensive network of local associations across Europe, ESN supports international students, advocates for inclusive and accessible educational opportunities, and contributes to personal and professional development. As one of ESAA's four constituent networks, ESN strengthens cooperation between students, universities and international mobility communities.
Cooperation Between Central Asia and Europe
Cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia has gained increasing strategic importance, including in education, research, innovation, digital transformation and sustainable economic development.
In April 2025, the first EU-Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, elevated relations between the two regions to a strategic partnership. The European Union also announced a €12 billion Global Gateway investment package focused on connectivity, critical raw materials, digital infrastructure, water and energy.
Beyond economic and infrastructure cooperation, investment in people, knowledge and skills is essential to ensuring that these partnerships generate sustainable benefits for communities.
Existing educational cooperation demonstrates the potential for further development. According to the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan, 98 Uzbek universities had participated in Erasmus+ cooperation since 2015, while 63 Capacity Building in Higher Education projects received funding between 2015 and 2024. More than 3,000 students and university staff participated in international credit mobility exchanges since 2015. Between 2021 and 2024, Uzbek institutions accounted for 39% of Erasmus+ international credit mobilities in Central Asia.
The European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan also reported in 2026 that 154 students from Uzbekistan had received Erasmus Mundus scholarships since 2015, illustrating the growing importance of academic exchange and international educational pathways.
At regional level, initiatives such as DARYA - Dialogue and Action for Young People in Central Asia, a €10 million EU-funded programme implemented by the European Training Foundation, further support cooperation on skills development, vocational education and the transition from education to employment.
These developments demonstrate that EU-Central Asia cooperation already has a substantial foundation. The next challenge is to expand its reach beyond academic mobility, creating stronger connections between universities, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, public institutions and young professionals.
Uzbekistan's Young Population and Its Growing Investment in Youth Development
Uzbekistan offers a particularly relevant context for international youth cooperation because of its demographic profile.
Uzbekistan has one of the youngest populations in Central Asia, with approximately 52% of its population under the age of 30, according to preliminary national census data released in 2026. This remarkable demographic profile represents both a strategic opportunity and a significant responsibility for the country's development. With more than half of its population consisting of children and young adults, investment in quality education, employment, entrepreneurship, digital skills and international mobility is particularly important. For the European Union, this demographic potential reinforces the value of long-term cooperation with Uzbekistan, particularly through initiatives that connect young people with educational opportunities, innovation ecosystems and international professional networks.
Supporting young people is therefore not only a social priority but a central component of Uzbekistan's long-term development.
The country has developed an increasingly structured youth policy framework, with the Youth Affairs Agency playing a central role in coordinating programmes and services. Policy priorities include youth employment, entrepreneurship, education, digital skills, vocational training, social inclusion, volunteering and youth participation.
The Youth of New Uzbekistan - 2030 strategic agenda places particular emphasis on expanding opportunities for young people, including measures to strengthen entrepreneurial education, access to financing, innovation, employability and participation in community development.
Several initiatives illustrate this approach. The Youth Business School, launched in 2026, provides entrepreneurship training and links successful participants with financial support opportunities. Programmes such as Yoshlar Biznesi and Kelajakka Qadam have supported the establishment of youth-led businesses, while other initiatives provide access to vocational education, digital learning, mentoring and startup financing.
According to information published by the Uzbek authorities in 2026, these two entrepreneurship programmes helped 15,000 young people establish businesses in 2025, generating employment for approximately 50,000 people.
These efforts highlight an increasingly practical approach to youth development, combining educational opportunities with financial instruments, institutional support and pathways towards economic independence.
A Field Visit to Uzbekistan's Youth Affairs Agency
An important component of the forum was the visit to the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan on 27 October.
The ESAA delegation had the opportunity to learn about the Agency's portfolio of youth programmes and gain a closer understanding of how national youth policies are translated into services and opportunities for young people.
Particular attention was given to mechanisms supporting youth entrepreneurship, startup development, employment, access to finance, education and professional training, as well as the role of public institutions in connecting young people with these opportunities.
The visit provided valuable insights into Uzbekistan's approach to youth policy implementation, including how dedicated public programmes, educational institutions and financial support mechanisms can work together to help young people develop their ideas and enter the labour market.
For the European delegation, these exchanges offered an opportunity to identify potential areas for joint initiatives, institutional partnerships and knowledge exchange.
GEYC Presents ACT4EU: Supporting Young Creative Entrepreneurs Through Erasmus+
Representing GEYC, Adelina Dragomir, Head of Future Skills, contributed to the conference on 26 October through the session “Creative Entrepreneurship through Erasmus+: The ACT4EU Project & Erasmus KA2 Discussions.” Her presentation introduced A.C.T.4EU - Advocacy, Creativity and Transformation for Europe, an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Youth implemented by RESOPA (France), GEYC (Romania), EuroMuévete (Spain) and Social Hackers Academy (Greece). The project addresses barriers faced by young creative professionals, including limited access to business knowledge, funding opportunities, mentoring and professional networks. Through international research, advocacy resources, entrepreneurship training and cross-sector collaboration, ACT4EU supports young people in transforming creative ideas into viable and sustainable initiatives. GEYC also presented the outcomes of its five-week Inclusive Entrepreneurship Accelerator, delivered between April and May 2026, which attracted 45 registrations, awarded 20 certificates and resulted in 10 venture plans, with an overall participant satisfaction score of 4.93 out of 5.
A particularly important milestone presented in Tashkent was the launch of the ACT4EU Creative Mentorship Platform, now available at act4eu.eu/mentorship. The platform connects emerging creative entrepreneurs with experienced professionals, enabling mentorship relationships, knowledge exchange and continued support beyond individual training activities. By presenting the project's results and reusable resources to an audience extending beyond the European Union, GEYC highlighted the potential for transferring inclusive entrepreneurship methodologies to other regional contexts, including Central Asia. The presentation also introduced the next steps of ACT4EU, including the Creative Entrepreneurship Conference taking place in Bucharest on 9 November 2026, and encouraged international stakeholders to explore future collaboration around creative industries, entrepreneurial skills, mentoring and youth employability.
Building the Foundations for Long-Term EU-Central Asia Partnerships
Beyond its formal programme, the Central Asia-European Union Youth Forum provided an exceptional opportunity to establish new professional relationships, exchange institutional experiences and explore shared priorities for future cooperation.
Direct exchanges between European alumni networks, Central Asian universities, youth organisations and public authorities highlighted numerous areas in which cooperation could continue, particularly in entrepreneurship education, digital and future skills, youth participation, research, innovation and international project development.
The discussions also reinforced the importance of connecting formal education with non-formal learning, involving civil society in international cooperation and ensuring that young people can access meaningful opportunities regardless of geographical or socioeconomic background.
For GEYC, participation in Tashkent represented an important step towards developing long-term partnerships with organisations and institutions in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia. The knowledge exchanged, connections established and opportunities identified provide a valuable foundation for future Erasmus+ initiatives, joint educational activities, capacity-building projects and international cooperation.
The experience also demonstrated that the challenges faced by young people in Europe and Central Asia often intersect: accessing relevant skills, entering the labour market, developing entrepreneurial ideas, building professional networks and contributing meaningfully to their communities.
Addressing these challenges through international cooperation can generate mutual learning and practical solutions that benefit young people across both regions.
GEYC extends its appreciation to the Youth Affairs Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the OCEANS Network, ESAA, garagErasmus, UDEA, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan and all participating organisations and individuals for creating an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange and partnership development.
The forum concluded with a shared understanding that international mobility and cooperation should not end with a single event. Instead, they can become the starting point for sustained collaboration, stronger institutions and more opportunities for young people.
GEYC looks forward to building on the connections established in Tashkent and contributing to stronger cooperation between European and Central Asian youth communities.