The Role of Mahalla in the Upbringing of Youth

This article examines the role of the mahalla — a traditional Uzbek neighbourhood self-governance institution — in the upbringing and social development of youth in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Drawing on recently adopted national legislation, presidential decrees and state programmes enacted between 2020 and 2024, the study analyses how the modernised mahalla system contributes to moral education, civic engagement, vocational guidance, physical development and the prevention of antisocial behaviour among young people. The research demonstrates that targeted state policy has substantially increased youth participation rates in mahalla activities and has produced measurable positive outcomes in human capital formation at the community level.