On April 23, 2022, the Financial Agreement (No. 7061-UZ) was executed between the Republic of Uzbekistan and International Development Association with the aim to finance the “Second Rural Enterprises Development Project”.

In the framework of Sub-component 1.4 “Women’s Entrepreneurship Development” of the Second Rural Enterprises Development Project rural women who do not hold permanent employment but live in economically challenging circumstances will be supported in increasing their economic potential, setting up and carrying out their own entrepreneurial activities.

In particular, it is aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, which is intended to be carried out under the leadership of low-income women, who face more restrictions when starting a new business activity.

The subcomponent will be implemented in Tashkent, Syrdarya, Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Navoi, Bukhara, Khorezm regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan during 2023-2026. To implement the subcomponent, 200 mahallas will be chosen in 20 districts across 9 regions based on defined criteria, and the subcomponent will be implemented in those mahallas.

Women’s livelihood groups (hereinafter referred to as the WLG) are organized in the mahallas, and WLGs are trained theoretically and practically by the Community Business Promotion Partner (CBPP) for up to 6 months in the following business activities:

• the business activity offered by women and analyzed by CBPP’s business analytic staff;
• the business activity is chosen by women from the list offered by CBPP’s business analytics

In the program, women who are adequately trained to carry out entrepreneurial activities will be given small grants based on the competition established by the regulation “Matching Grant Guidelines” (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines).

The purpose of the Contract is providing services in the implementation of the project for “Technical assistance in facilitating participatory implementation cycle, monitoring and oversight with regard to demand driven investments in basic infrastructure and services in selected qishloqs (villages) in Namangan region”. The Contract is being implemented under the Loan Agreement No.: IDA-65020 between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Development Association (IDA).

The overall objective of the Facilitating Partner is to support the rural development in Uzbekistan through using participatory approach and methods and respond to the needs of rural population. The specific objective of the facilitating partner is to support the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at implementing their role through technical direct and indirect assistance to carry out equitable, inclusive, and participatory development processes in participating qishloqs. The FP will assist the PIU in applying participatory implementation of demand  driven investment on basic infrastructure within the Rural Infrastructure Development Project.

The CEED/Rplus FP work in close communication with the PIU and local actors at the district and qishloq level in Namangan Region to achieve desired results. The FP work with 67 qishloqs in five districts of Namangan region Chortoq (10), Chust (13), Pop (18), Mingbuloq (8), Yangiqurgon (18).