- 15 206
- people trained
- 35,9%
- started a business or became self-employed
- 502
- 35-hour trainings held
- 87%
- of participants were women
About the project
On 21 December 2021 SABR signed a contract with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations of Uzbekistan for "Developing a curriculum and delivering entrepreneurship skills training". It was sub-component 2.3, "Entrepreneurship skills training", of the World Bank project "Strengthening the Social Protection System in Uzbekistan", approved in 2019. The project was funded by the International Development Association (World Bank Group).
The goal was to build the management and business skills of low-income and vulnerable people planning to start a micro-enterprise, helping their businesses last and create new jobs.
Where and whom we trained
The trainings ran in 2022–2024 in all 14 regions of the country: 12 provinces, Tashkent city and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Participants were unemployed and low-income people registered with employment support centres who wanted to start their own business, including those on the "Iron", "Women's" and "Youth" registers.
How we trained
- The project team prepared 13 training modules: financial literacy, business practice, bookkeeping, marketing and access to markets.
- The modules were first tested in a pilot training in Gulistan with World Bank experts.
- Selected trainers took a 64-hour training of trainers: 93 people were selected, 70 trainers started work in 2022 and 63 stayed until the end of the project.
- Each course lasted 35 hours, in Uzbek and Karakalpak, in equipped rooms of the "Ishga marhamat" centres.
- Separate Telegram groups for participants, trainers and organisers helped solve questions and problems quickly.
- Trainers visited graduates' businesses to find gaps in knowledge, give advice and help update their action plans.
Results
- 15,206 people trained, more than originally planned (15,183).
- Over 35.9% of participants started a business or became self-employed.
- 502 trainings held.
- 87% of participants were women: the project made a real contribution to women's employment.
- A team of experienced trainers and a lasting system for teaching low-income people the basics of entrepreneurship were created.
Support for graduates
In 2022 the SABR non-governmental organisation gave graduates grants and equipment, and SABR microfinance organisation provided loans on favourable terms. The project showed that training combined with financial support is the most effective way for vulnerable people to start a business.