Final Programme Report

Final programme report

Sub-project: “Assessment of women’s needs in knowledge and skills for doing business and self-employment, and capacity building for women living in target areas to promote entrepreneurship.”

4-2018-RFP-UNDP-CP-AFT-@

Abbreviations

UNDP – United Nations Development Programme

AfT – Aid for Trade project

NABWT – National association of business women of Tajikistan

TOR – Terms of Reference

FG – focus group

BP – business plan

TZ – target zone

QT - Qurgantube

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Description …………...... 4

2. Fulfilled activity assesment...... 5

2.1. Project aims, objectives, outputs and activities...... 5. 2.2. Expected results………...... 6

3. Project planned activities’ implementation……………………………………………………...…7

3.1. Preparatory/organizational work...... 7 3.2. Conduct a needs assessment in Soghd and Khatlon oblasts, as well as in the DRS of Tajikistan, to determine existing capacity building needs of targeted groups………………...9 3.2.1. Delivery of focus groups on needs assessment………………………………………..9 3.2.2. Needs assessment analyses………..……………………………………………………..9 3.3. Based on needs assessment findings, formulate a special Capacity Building Programme.15 3.3.1.Development of the Special Capacity Building programme for women……………….15 3.3.2.Round table in Dushanbe………………………………………………………………….17 3.3.3.Preparatory work for the trainings…………………………………………………………17 3.4. Conduct the capacity building activities for women’s entrepreneurship promotion…………18 3.4.1.Trainings in the target zones………………………………………………………………18 3.4.2.Content of the 4-days’ trainings……………………………………………………………19 3.5. Analyses of the trainings’ results…………………………………………………………………21 3.5.1.The results of pre-test and post-tests...... 21 3.5.2.Feedback of the trained women on the trainings………………………………………..24 3.6. Business groups/Capacity building sessions…………………………………………………...29 3.6.1. Business groups and individual business plans………………………………………...30 3.6.2. Start up Choikhona V in Khujand…………………………………………………………33 3.7. Develop, design and print informational brochures…………………………………………….34 3.8. Illuminate the project progress and intermediate outcomes via social Media………………34

4. Results achieved during the implementation of sub-project……………………………………..36

5. Challenges/lessons learnt ………………………………………………………………………….37

6. Other relevant materials……………………………………………………………………………38

1. Description a. Contract beneficiary: National association of business women of Tajikistan (NABWT)

b. Responsible persons:

• Malika Mirzobakhodurova – Team leader • Tahmina Karimova – Project officer • Bobokhon Ahmedov – Project officer • Dilrabo Shadieva – Admin/logistic • Firuza Mahmudova – Accountant

c. The name of partner organization: Local committees on women and family affairs

d. Activity: to assess the needs of women and entrepreneurs in the areas of building capacity (knowledge and skills) and in identifying the barriers and issues, which affect the employment, and self-employment of women; running special capacity building programme and conduct the series of trainings to the targeted groups of women. e. Contract number: 4-2018-RFP-UNDP-CP-AFT-@ “Assessment of women’s needs in knowledge and skills for doing business and self-employment, and capacity building for women living in target areas to promote entrepreneurship”

f. Reporting period: April 9 – June 30, 2018

g. Country or region: Tajikistan, Sughd and Khatlon regions, DRS h. Beneficiaries or target group: women from rural areas of Sughd and Khatlon regions, as well as DRS

2. Fulfilled activity assessment

2.1. Project aims, objectives, outputs and activities

The “Wider Europe: Aid for Trade for Central Asia” (AFT) project facilitate improving the implementation of pro-poor trade related policy reforms and trade capacity development measures on the national and local levels, support the transferring of best practices and knowledge exchanging with special reference to the challenges of small enterprises and micro businesses, and execute the technical assistance interventions in selected regions. The overall goal of the project to foster inclusive growth in the region through the promotion of trade and the enhancement of each country’s competitiveness to support these countries’ efforts to reduce poverty and improve peoples’ lives. Trade and investment can contribute to human development by helping to raise productivity, employment and economic growth. Therefore, a particular purpose of this project is to improve the implementation of pro-poor trade related policy reforms and trade capacity development measures on the national and local levels, the transfer of best practices and knowledge exchange with special reference to the challenges of small enterprises and micro businesses, and the execution of technical assistance interventions in selected regions.

The overall objective of this sub-project is to assess the needs of women and entrepreneurs in the areas of building capacity (knowledge and skills) and in identifying the barriers and issues, which affect the employment, and self-employment of women. Moreover, this sub-project aims to run the defined a special capacity building programme and conduct the series of trainings to the targeted groups of women. According to the plan under this sub-project the following major actions (but not limited to), it is intending to implement:

1. Conduct a needs assessment in Sughd and Khatlon oblasts, as well as in the DRS of Tajikistan, to determine existing capacity building needs of targeted groups:

• Formulate and agree with stakeholders the Methodology of intended needs assessment; • Define the data collection method and tools for assessment; • Define skills gaps for self-employment (f.ex. availability of local training opportunities and programmes) • Define requirement of customized and/or specialized trainings and programmes; • Define employment barriers (f.ex. business confidence; difficulties experiencing by women when finding work, f.ex. physical, economic or/and traditional issues) • Define employment barriers specific to each targeted region; • Define the needs in gender-specific programming (including micro-financing, knowledge/skills building, grants programming, self-confidence building and etc);

2. Based on needs assessment findings, formulate a special Capacity Building Programme:

• Forming a list of the most required by women the trainings topics; • Elaboration of training Modules including an action plans as per defined the list of training topics; • Validation of the defined a special Capacity Building Programme with all concerned stakeholders and targets groups;

3. Conduct the capacity building activities for women’s entrepreneurship promotion:

• Based on the assessment done and data obtained, to form a list of women and targeted groups and elaborate an action plan of provision of trainings; • Conduct all organizational and logistic activities, needed for conduction of training sessions in all targeted regions; • Form groups of women based on their location and availability, and agree with them a schedule of training sessions provision; • Elaborate the pre- and post-trainings questionnaires for assessing the level of knowledge and business skills; • Elaborate the handouts and other informational materials for participants of the trainings; • Conduct the trainings in targeted regions as per agreed schedule; • Conduct capacity assessment of trained women and define their readiness for starting the businesses; Based on this, create (mobilize) at least 4 groups of women, consisting from at least 10 women willing to unite around each business idea; • Provide support to the selected at least 4 women’s groups in business planning (elaboration of business plans), establishment of enterprises (juridical advices) and in other related aspects; • Provide support to established at least 4 women’s groups in applying for grants or/and to other possible investments.

4. Prepare a final report on performed activities, responding to overall objectives and scope of work mentioned in this TOR.

2.2. Expected results:

• The needs assessment conducted and report provided; • A special Capacity Building Programme for women formulated and provided; • At least 4 training sessions conducted in targeted regions, and at least 100 females trained as per a special Capacity Building programme; • At least 4 women’s group established and consulted; • At least 4 business ideas formulated and 4 business plans for establishing enterprises developed; • A special Capacity Building Programme for women is adjusted as per experience and lessons learned obtained during the implementation of this sub-project; • The programme narrative reports on conducted activities provided.

3. Project planned activities’ implementation

3.1. Preparatory/organizational work

Having signed a contract between UNDP and NABWT on April 9, 2018, we started working on the action plan that was approved by the donor organization. According to the TOR and action plan (see annex 3.1) three project phases is envisaged: 1. Needs assessment 2. Capacity building program 3. Business plan development

Hiring and signing contracts with staff members

The first step was to assign and/or hire specialists for the work within the project. With the following employees agreements were signed:

The employees were introduced with their job descriptions that were developed based on the project’s goals and objectives.

Identification of the project target zones and beneficiaries

The project team discussed potential areas where the project activities could be implemented. Selection was made on the basis of the needs of the areas and presence of the women having potential to be engaged in small and medium entrepreneurship, in particular vulnerable ones.

The following target zones were identified and chosen: • Soghd – Spitamen, Jabbor Rasulov and Bobojon Gafurov districts • Khatlon – Yovon and Kushoniyon districts • DRS – Rudaki and Gissar

These target zones were selected on the following criteria:

 Law access to the information and business services • Rural area • High rate of the male migration • High level of unemployment among women, etc.

Establishment of the cooperation with local government

During the first and second project decades the project team had number of meetings with local government officials of the target zones. The staff members introduced them with the project goals and objectives and negotiated on further cooperation to make the project implementation more effective. Official letters on behalf of the NABWT was

7 submitted to them (see annex 3.2). There was no need to submit official letters to the governments of Spitamen and Jabbor Rasulov – taking into account long-term cooperation with the National association of business women of Tajikistan they agreed to support this initiative and helped in mobilization and involvement of the women into the project activities. Committees on women and family affairs were assigned by the local governments to cooperate with the project.

Identification and selection of beneficiaries

Committees on women and family affairs of the target zones and NABWT’s partner micro-financial organization “IMON International” agreed to cooperate in selection and mobilization of the women for the project activities, in particular for the needs assessment. Selection was made on the following criteria:

• Rural women • Vulnerable women needed in income-generating activity • Start up women needed in capacity building and consultations • Rural women having business ideas • Women-artisans needed in capacity building

Development of the questionnaires for the needs assessment

For the needs assessment a questionnaires have been developed with the aim to collect information of the needs of the potential beneficiaries, their recommendations and demand in specific topics needed for starting and running businesses. The project team developed draft questionnaire that was submitted to the donor organization for review and later on was updated according to their comments, and agreed with UNDP for using that questionnaire during needs assessments.

Selection of the women/compilation of the agenda and schedule of the Focus groups/needs assessment

Together with partners – local committees on women and family affairs – the project staff developed list of focus groups’ members. Schedule of the focus groups was the following:

# Target zone Date Responsible pers. 1 Rudaki May 4 Bobohon Akhmedov 2 Gissar May 10 Bobohon Akhmedov 3 Yovon May 16 Bobohon Akhmedov 4 Kushoniyon May 14 Bobohon Akhmedov 5 Jabbor Rasulov May 11 Tahmina Karimova 6 Spitamen May 11 Tahmina Karimova 7 Bobojon Gafurov May 17 Tahmina Karimova

On May there were several events on the eve of Victory day and Family Day where local government and local women were engaged, so there were made some changes in the dates.

3.2. Conduct a needs assessment in Sughd and Khatlon oblasts, as well as in the DRS of Tajikistan, to determine existing capacity building needs of targeted groups

The second stage of the sub-project implementation was related to organization of the focus groups, needs assessment analyses, development of a training program based on the needs of the target women and delivery of the trainings in the target zones.

3.2.1. Delivery of focus groups on needs assessment

Having done all preparatory work, the NABWT staff

started delivery of 6 focus groups in the target zones according to the schedule. Local committees on women and family affairs and public women organizations supported in mobilization of the target women. In all focus groups the project officers introduced the women with the goal of the sub-project and objectives of the focus groups. Then they presented the FG, Khatlon, May 16, 2018 questionnaires and explained the process of filling in.

# Target zone Date Place Facilitators 1 Rudaki May 4 Local NGO Farzona Yusufi (due to illness B. Akhmedov was replaced by Farzona) 2 Gissar May 14 Local library Bobokhon Ahmedov 3 Kushoniyon May 15 Local NGO Bobokhon Ahmedov 4 Yovon May 16 Kushoniyon Bobokhon Ahmedov restaurant 5 Spitamen May 11 Imon Int. office Tahmina Karimova 6 Jabbor Rasulov May 10 Imon Int. office Tahmina Karimova 7 Bobojon Gafurov May 16 Sadaf center Tahmina Karimova

Business trainers Baroat Fozilova and Masuda Rakhimova participated in 5 focus groups – Spitamen, Jabbor Rasulov, B. Gafurov, Kushoniyon and Gissar to learn needs and demands of the women in business trainings. It helped them to make vision on the content of the training curriculum that they had further to develop.

3.2.2. Needs assessment analyses

Project officers collected all questionnaires that were completed by the target women from all three target zones. The whole team reviewed and analyzed the answers. The main issues that were revealed and used further for selection of the training beneficiaries and development of the training curriculum are given below.

Marital status of the interviewed women

The majority of the interviewed women is married and has children. They stated that their families support in running business as well.

Level of education

To understand level of proficiency in skills and knowledge we asked the target women about level of their education. It turned out that most of the interviewed women - 39% of 139 - had higher education. For rural women it is a good indicator. 29% of the women informed about their secondary education. 15% graduated technical colleges and have vocational education. The other 15% did not complete their secondary schools. And only 2% of the target women have just preliminary education but this does not stop them from running business.

Sectors of business

The majority of the interviewed women run businesses for more than 2 years. The sectors of entrepreneurship those women are engaged are the following:

Decisions made on starting up/running business

For us it was interesting to know if the women make/made decisions on dealing with entrepreneurship themselves or outside people impact/impacted on those decisions. It’s essential to note that 48% of businesses were started based on the women’s decisions. And 47% are the results of the family decisions. They stated the importance of the family support in starting up/running entrepreneurial activity. 4% of the interviewed women informed that they were advised by the local government representatives and other people to be engaged in business to improve the economic position of their own families. And only 1% started running business by advice and in partnership with their friends.

Use of loans

There are lots of micro-financial organizations and banks in Tajikistan that provide small and medium entrepreneurs with loans for starting up or/and development of businesses. One of the questions was if the women-entrepreneurs get loans for their activity. 82 out of 139 interviewed women run their businesses for many years and only 28 out of these 82 (or 34%) informed that never got loans from the micro-financial organizations. The rest 54 women out of 82 (66%) had an experience of referring for the loans.

Source of funding

So as financial resources are one of the main needs of women to start up or/and develop business we wanted to know where the women get those funds.

As the diagram shows, nowadays women-entrepreneurs refer to the banks and micro- financial organizations to get loans for their entrepreneurial activities. It shows that the population relies on them but further question on barriers and obstacles proves that

12 women are not satisfied with the high interest rate that is up to 36% and hampers regular getting big amount of loans. The women wish to have loans with 6-10% interest rate in national currency.

Barriers and obstacles

Most of the interviewed women indicated lack of funds and equipment, lack of business skills and knowledge, low legal awareness, challenges related to taxation, high loan interest rates, etc. as major barriers that hamper development of the entrepreneurial activity.

At the same time, they proposed some measures to come over the abovementioned barriers and obstacles: subsidized loans – 23%; special training and workshops – 22%; raising business skills as a whole – 16%; concealing on business planning – 15%; provision with grants – 12%; sponsors/investors – 10%; raising legal awareness – 1%; necessary equipment – 1%.

Readiness to continue running business

In spite of the difficulties and challenges, 81% of the interviewed women- entrepreneurs with existing businesses were ready and strive for running and growing their own businesses. During discussions 19% of the women mentioned that all those barriers and obstacles interfere with their activities and cause to stop their businesses. it was clarified that this minority have no family support due to male migration to Russia or/and lack of financial resources.

Preferences in business sectors

As per the results of the needs assessments the women prefer to open own business in the following areas:

The rest 28% prefer to widen the existing businesses by purchase of new equipment, renting premises, widening markets, opening branches in new locations, etc.

Ways of overcoming barriers and obstacles

The women were asked about their opinions on what could help them to overcome barriers and obstacles they mentioned and to solve difficulties and challenges they face in running businesses.

40 out of 136 (29%) women admitted that for growth of their businesses they need financial resources. By “financial resources” they meant all funds that they would like to have in cash with no payback responsibilities; 23 women (16%) would like to get loans with law interest rate; the most of them – 44 women (32%) – consider having grants as a proper support to start up/develop business; 32 of them (23%) are confident that they need trainings and special workshop on business planning, marketing, accounting, budgeting, pricing, taxation, etc. There were women-farmers among the beneficiaries and most of them would like to deal with export of dried fruits and vegetables abroad, and women-artisans who were interested in exporting handicraft products to Russia, Kazakhstan, for example, and importing of raw materials for production of textile goods. So, for this purpose they proposed to train and/or raise their awareness on custom issues as well.

Needs in business trainings and information

So as the women noted necessity in the specific trainings and information for starting up/running/development of the entrepreneurial activity, they were asked to name several topics that they need:

Needs in vocational courses

As well the women noted necessity to gain new skills for income-generating activities. Among the technical and professional skills, they would like to learn were the following: confectionary, sewing and tailoring national and European dresses, techniques of machine and hand embroidery, foods and vegetable production, etc.

3.3. Based on needs assessment findings, formulate a special Capacity Building Programme

3.3.1. Development of the Special Capacity Building programme for women

Taking into account needs and demands of the women-entrepreneurs, trainers and project officers started working on development of the training curriculum. According to

15 the needs assessment analyses the following issues were envisaged to be included into the curriculum:  How to develop a business plan  What is business idea  How to be an entrepreneur  What is marketing and how to increase sale of the products/services  How to attract clients and widen own market  How to run accounting; how to compile financial report  Ways of business management; human resources recruitment  Taxation; official business registration; cooperation with regulatory structures.

All the above mentioned issues were covered by the training curriculum and envisaged for 4 full days. See attached training program and manual.

Each day up to 4 sessions were trained in the trainings:

# 1st day 2nd day 3rd day 4th day

1 Taxation; official Basics of the Goods’ production business Business plan SWOT analyses plan and kinds of registration; costs cooperation with 2 Identification of regulatory Concept of the Business location. requirements for structures Business plan Market fixed and segmentation. circulating assets. Business mapping Depreciation of fixed assets and their calculation 3 Financial plan. Cycle of the people Types of Types of the Filling in Business and the enterprise. marketing. financial reports. plans 10 major Advertisement. The importance of characteristics of Methods of financial the successful defining volume of accounting. entrepreneur budget for the Balance. Profits advertisement. and losses reports. Cash flow 4 Marketing Organization and Marketing strategy. Elements management plan of 5P and 4C

The sub-project team decided to organize 2 four-days trainings in Soghd region, 1 – in Khatlon and 1 – in DRS. As a result of the trainings when the expected number of the women covered was not achieved, it was agreed with UNDP AfT project to deliver additional training in Yovon district of Khatlon.

3.3.2. Round table in Dushanbe

On May 29, 2018 the sub-project team organized a round table in the UNDP office, Dushanbe with involvement of 53 participants - the women headed SMEs, representatives of committees on women and family affairs of Sughd, Khatlon and DRS, Mass Media, business consultants. The UNDP kindly provided the hosting of the round table participants in their office in Dushanbe. The main goal of the round table was to bring together the beneficiaries and stakeholders to review the sub-project’s Round table, Dushanbe, May 29 implementation process, discuss and collect recommendations on improvement and strengthening capacity building programme, as well to promote networking among the women-entrepreneurs involved into the sub- project. In general the round table participants positively reacted to the presented curriculum and capacity building programme. It was admitted that the programme covered all issues and topics they need to start up/run and grow the business. Rukhshona Shahobiddinova, Head of the public organization “Mumtoz” from Rudaki, DRS and Osimova Dilbar, Head of the department on women and family affairs of Bobojon Gafurov district, Soghd region, stated that the proposed trainings would allow rural women raising their capacity, awareness on legal rights and obligations of the entrepreneurs and social aspects of running women-led businesses. Shahlo Vatanova, Head of “Guldaston” company, Dushanbe noted that a business plan is fundamental for any business and the women should actively take part in the proposed trainings. As well she supported the sub-project’s intention to provide the trained women with business consultants who would assist them in building their capacity and development of rational, effective business plans. As a whole the round table participants accepted the capacity building programme as completely proper for them, but just suggested to include session on custom issues that would be useful for those intending export and/or import products. The NABWT updated the capacity building program including the session on custom issues there. The other suggestion of the women was to extent the trainings for more days, but due to the sub-project requirements and limited timeline we couldn’t follow this recommendation. See attached round table minutes.

3.3.3. Preparatory work for the trainings

Having learnt the recommendations made on the round table the sub-project team updated the training program. The recommendations regarding the training curriculum made by the women-entrepreneurs and their expectations were:

 To include session on custom issues  To learn business taxation issues  To increase training days from 4 to 10 days to learn all details  Alongside with small groups work, to include individual work with each training participant separately

Project officers came in contact with local authorities, in particular, with committees on women and family affairs of the target zones and started working on the list of the training participants based on the following criteria:

 Rural women  Vulnerable women needed in income-generating activity  Startup women needed in capacity building and consultations  Rural women having business ideas  Women with existing businesses but needed in growth  Women-artisans needed in capacity building

Due to the time shortage for the sub-project implementation, it was decided to deliver the trainings in parallel.

3.4. Conduct the capacity building activities for women’s entrepreneurship promotion

3.4.1. Trainings in the target zones

# Place Target zones # of Trainers Date participants 1 Guliston, Sughd, B. Gafurov, Asht, 22 Baroat Fozilova the Training center Isfara, Kh. Karimov 2 of the National J. Rasulov, 18 Masuda June 5- Bank of Tajikistan Spitamen Rakhimova 8, 2018 3 Dushanbe, Guliston Tursunzoda, 22 B. Fozilova June Tour Hotel Karatog, Rudaki, F. Pulotova 11-14, Rogun, Vakhdat, 2018 Gissar, Shakhrinav 4 Bokhtar, Khatlon, Bokhtar, Huroson, 20 M. Rakhimova June Ramz Hotel Vaksh, Kushoniyon, Kh. Karimov 11-14, Yavon, Farkhor 2018 5 Yovon, Khatlon, Yovon 22 B. Fozilova June Kushon restaurant M. Rakhimova 21-24, 2018 TOTAL: 104

During the trainings the trainers used such interactive methods, as small groups work, case study, brainstorming, mini lectures. They used individual approach in the interaction with the training participants. The main focus was given to building business capacity of the women-entrepreneurs.

Business consultants involved by the sub- project took part in the trainings:  Abdurakhmon Huseinov – Sughd  Akmal Mirzoev – DRS  Ittifok Akhmedov - Khatlon The main task of the business consultants was to provide the training participants with Training in Soghd, June-5-8, 2018 consultations in the process of business planning. In particular, the issues of calculation, market analyses, competitiveness and business taxation were focused on.

3.4.2. Content of the 4-days’ trainings

The first day of the Special Capacity Building programme for women

After welcoming speeches, presentation of the sub-project’s goals and objectives, the trainings’ sessions and expected results, collection of the participants’ expectations from the trainings and introduction of the participants to each other, fulfillment of the pre-tests, the trainers presented the sessions of the first day.

The session “Basics of the Business plan”. In small groups the women discussed and presented their vision on the following questions:

 What is business plan?  What the Business plan is needed for?  What are the parts of the BP?

 What is the purpose of the BP financial part?

 How to define cost of the business project?  How to properly present the BP?

The session “Concept of the Business plan”. The trainers facilitated discussion of the importance of business sphere identification. The training participants defined what the business was oriented on, who are the customers/clients, how to sell the product/service.

The session “Cycle of the people and the enterprise. 10 major characteristics of the successful entrepreneur”. Using such methods of training as mini-lecture, brainstorming, small group work and discussion, the trainers organized business case study “Factors of success” that helps to identify importance of data collection within market analyses; introduced with activity cycle of the enterprise in conjunction with a life cycle of the people; defined the key characteristics of the entrepreneur.

The session “Marketing”. The trainer explained the concept of marketing, types of marketing and introducing with marketing plan, the trainers underlined the importance of data collection during market analyses/assessment and told about different ways of collecting additional information on clients and competitors. The training participants strengthened the learned topic by the business game “Production of the plane”

The second day

The second day started with reminding the sessions of the first day. The session “SWOT analyses”. Using the method of mini-lecture, the trainers introduced the women with the definition and concept of the SWOT analyses. In small groups the trainings’ participants practiced this method by development of SWOT analyses for their own businesses. At the end all groups presented their results and all participants discussed them.

The session “Business location. Market segmentation. Business mapping”. The trainers presented mini- lecture about necessity to choose a proper business location and segment of the market. They paid attention of the women on the fact that a proper business location is one of the essential factors of market development, clients’ selection and market niche, and it needs to be thoroughly analyzed. By small group works the trainings’ participants practiced the learned topic that was further discussed by the Training in Yovon, June 21-24 whole team.

The session “Types of marketing. Advertisement. Kinds of advertisement. Methods of defining volume of budget items for the advertisement”. To present this session the trainers used the game “Vegetable market” where the women were divided into two groups. This game helps to calculate all expenses and benefits. By brainstorming the trainings’ participants identify their own benefits, ways of clients’ attraction, methods of advertising their services/products and costs for the clients. Short video-film on types of advertisement was demonstrated to the participants. As well the women being divided into 4 sub-groups developed budgets for the advertisement and presented to the whole team.

The session “Marketing strategy. Elements of 5P and 4C”. During this session using Power Point Presentation the trainers presented method 5P (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Personnel) – the major basics of marketing. Each definition was processed by group discussion; the trainers revealed content of eah of them and underlined that all these components should be taken into account during business planning. After 5P presentation the women worked in the small groups. They had to describe their services/products, compare it with the service/product of the competitors and present to others. Having heard the mini-lecture “What is price and ways of calculation”, the women identified price of their services/products in small groups.

The third day

Having remembered the second day’s sessions learned the trainers started the new sessions. The session “Goods’ production plan and kinds of costs”. Using game method the trainers facilitated the groups on indication of processing stages - from getting raw materials till the ready made product. Having stated the whole production process the trainers underlined the importance of the production process for clear cost calculation, related to the production (labor force, raw materials, costs, etc.).

The session “Identification of requirements for fixed and circulating assets. Depreciation of fixed assets and their calculation”. It was explained by the trainers that after identification of production chain, the entrepreneurs need to define demand in the fixed assets, including a premise, equipment and their costs. lack of the fixed assets could lead to defective production, and further to the loss of the certain part of the benefits. At the same time overstating of the demands on the fixed assets could lead to can lead an overabundance of goods/products in warehouses, excessive saturation of the market.

The session “Financial plan. Types of the financial reports. The importance of financial accounting. Balance. Profits and losses reports. Cash flow”. By asking a question “What financial report do you know?” and collecting replies, the trainers concluded and led the trainings’ participants to the 3 key financial reports – Balance, Profits and losses reports and Cash flow. And continue with the mini-lecture on Balance. Having introduced the structure and method of balance development, the trainers Training in Dushanbe, June 11-14, 2018 asked participants to work individually on compilation of the balance. The same task was done on the Profits and losses report and Cash flow topics. This is a session that demands full concentration and more time to practice individually.

The session “Organization and management plan”. Using brainstorming, mini-lecture and discussion methods the trainers present the information on forms of entrepreneurial activity, explain the definition of Individual Entrepreneur and juridical body, as well introduced with such an important legal documentations for starting up and running business as patent, license, certification; revealed the main steps on legal registration of the enterprises.

The fourth day

On the first half of the days of the final days meetings with representatives of the Tax committees of the target zones and business consultants were organized. They delivered sessions of taxation, custom issues and other business related topics. These meetings were arranged in the informal format to allow women asking questions freely and get necessary answers from the specialists of the sectors.

The second half of the day all participants were supported by the trainers and business consultants to fill in their business plans.

After completion of all trainings the participants were awarded with the certificates on attendance in the trainings organized by the sub-project “Assessment of women’s needs in knowledge and skills for doing business and self-employment, and capacity building for women living in target areas to promote entrepreneurship”.

3.5. Analyses of the trainings’ results

3.5.1. The results of pre-test and post-tests

In each of 5 trainings conducted, all 104 participants were asked to fill in pre-tests in the beginning of the trainings and post-tests at the end of the trainings. The main purpose of the testing was to reveal level of the women’s skills and knowledge before and after the trainings. There are diagrams on the level of knowledge before and after the trainings below:

 Total level of knowledge in three (3) target zones

In average the level of 104 sub-project beneficiaries trained in all 5 trainings was increased for 36%.

DRS 37%

Khatlon 42%

Soghd 52%

 The level of knowledge in DRS

In the diagram below one can see the level of knowledge of the women – training participants - from the Districts of the Republican Subordination before the training was 37%. After attendance in 4-days training the level of their knowledge raised to 77%. It means that the women increased their own skills and knowledge for 44%.

 The level of knowledge in Khatlon

According to the analyses of the pre-tests and post-tests in the Khatlon region, 42 trained women could increase the level of the knowledge for 40%. Before the trainings their level was 42%, and after completion of the trainings the results of their post-test showed increase from 42% to 82%.

 The level of knowledge in Soghd

In comparison with two other target zones, the level of knowledge of the women in Soghd region was higher and consisted of 52%. After completion of the trainings it was found out that the trainings could increase level of Soghd women for 29% and raised to 81%.

3.5.2. Feedback of the trained women on the trainings

It was essential to know the level of satisfaction of the trained women as well. At the end of every training each participant filled in feedback papers. The trainings’; participants had to score the importance, usefulness and content of the trainings up to 5 (excellent). In general, the average score for each of all three target zones is the following:

In total 104 trained women were satisfied by the training for 90%:

The trained women's satisfaction level. DRS, Khatlon and Soghd

10%

Satisfied

90%

The average score put by the women/training participants from the Districts of the Republican Subordination is 4,51 that is equal to 90,2%:

Analyzing feedback of the trained women from Khatlon – trainings in Bokhtar (former Qurgantube) and Yovon district – out of the high score (5) the level of satisfaction was 4,59 that is equal to 91,8%:

The level of satisfaction of the trained women in Soghd region became 4,47 out of the high score (5). It means 89,4% satisfaction from the trainings.

As per the feedback papers we found out level of the women’s satisfaction on the content of the curriculum, general and individual work. In the diagrams below there’re scores up to the highest - 5:

Average score for each training topic in DRS

4,68 4,55 SWOT analyses 4,55 4,45 Production plan Management plan Financial plan 4,5 4,5 Individual work on the BP 4,32 Total individual work Total team work

Except scoring the content of the trainings and methods of trainings, the trained women made some statements/comments/recommendations. It will be useful to take them into account to improve further activity on delivering trainings, improvement content of the curriculum.

3.6. Business groups/Capacity building sessions

The sub-project business consultants were involved into the trainings where they had an opportunity to assist the beneficiaries in identification and choice of the rational business ideas and development of the business plans for establishment of the enterprises. It was initially planned to establish 4 groups consisting of 5-10 women and develop 4 business plans. As a result of the consultations rendered by the business consultants to the target beneficiaries 27 business plans were developed – 6 in DRS, 12 in Khatlon and 9 in Soghd; but 13 of the total business plans were individual ones, and only 14 of them were group business plans. Each of these 14 groups consisted of the following number of women: group of 10 pers. – 1; group of 4-5 pers. – 3 groups; groups of 2-3 pers. – 10. Totally 67 women were involved for the business plan Consultation in DRS, June 2018 development; 49 out of 62 women were included into business groups: 10 persons – in a group of 10; 13 women – in the groups of 4-5; 26 women – in the groups of 2-3; and 13 women worked individually. Target zone Total # of Groups of Groups of 4- Groups of 2- Total # of # of business 10 pers. 5 pers. 3 pers. group BP individual plans BP Soghd region 9 0 2 4 6 3 DRS 6 0 0 0 1 5

Khatlon 12 1 1 5 7 5 Total 27 1 3 10 14 13 Total involved 62 10 13 26 49 13 women

The main goal of this component was to assist women in development of the group business plans. But most of the women expressed intention to develop individual projects with further involvement of their own employees, partners and/or relatives. After the trainings’ completion all three business consultants rendered assistance by concealing the trained women in groups and individually. The consultations took place in the offices of the NABWT in Khujand and Bokhtar (former Qurgantube), and at business places of the Consultation, Yovon, June 2018 beneficiaries from DRS.

3.6.1. Business groups and individual business plans

Khatlon region Group business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employe Amount funds sources es Tjk Tjk Tjk Somoni Somoni Somoni 1 Confectionery mini- Bokhtar Akhrorova 5 184290 107300 76990 workshop/ (former Inobat persons production of cakes QT) Azimova and pies Gavkhar 2 Macaroni production Farkhor Murodova 4 persons 114920 57920 57000 Nigorbi Abdulloeva Erkamo 3 Drying fruits using Balkhi, Kucharova 4 59500 14400 45100 traditional methods Yovon, Zarina persons Vaksh Rajabalieva Faizigul Shirinova Bozorgul 4 Vegetable Kushoniy Ergasheva 8 105195 33495 71700 production (tomato on Kholida persons & cucumber) Sharifova Bibirobiya Shirinova Bozorgul Gulonova Farzona 5 Confectionery. Yovon Mavlonova 4 person 39931 10300 29631 Production of cakes, Gulbarg cup-cakes, Shakhnozai traditional cakes, etc Saidakhon Kholikova Sayokhat 6 Land processing Yovon Zubaidova 4 146050 6050 140000 services. Grass Shamigul persons mowing services, Saidakramova press harvesting and Qumri delivery to farmers 7 Sewing mini-shop. Yovon Abdullozoda 10 140185 81117 59010 Production of male, Huriniso person female, kid’s Giyoeva Sh. dresses. Valieva Nilufar Zaropiva Khomida Musulmonova S. Ashurova J. Idrisova Adolat Nuralieva M. Gulomova M. Jurakulova G.

Individual business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employe amount funds source es s 1 Mini workshop on Khuroso Abdulloeva 4 93180 49680 49055 furniture production n Soliyamokh persons 2 Confectionery (bread Yovon Saidova Sadaf 4pers. 138896 91396 43500 production) 3 Ultra Sound Farkhor Karimova Oltinoi 3 pers. 115160 40250 74910 Research and medical consultation services 4 Greenhouse lemon Farkhor Abdulloeva 2pers. 124913,4 20913,4 104000 production Erkamo 5 Processing of waste Yovon Jurakulova 4 pers. 12330 2100 10230 bottles and Gulchekhra production of bottled souvenirs

Districts of the Republican Subordination Group business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employe funds funds sources es 1 Confectionery. Home Rudaki Burkhanova 5 pers. 42297 19597 22700 cooking; production Mamlakat of American Ruzimatova cupcakes, osetin Manzura, pies, etc. Mirzoboeva Makhbuba

Individual business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employe funds funds source es s 1 Canning of fruits and Vakhdat Khojaeva 7 pers 102008 32008 70000 vegetables Gavkhar 2 Travel agency. Tursunsade Jabborova 4 pers. 70040 18600 51440 Development of Shahnoza ecological tourism, active recreation in the mountains, alpinism 3 Kindergarten – Shakhrinav Saraeva Parvina 5 pers. 50000 0 50000 growth of the existing business 4 Raspberry Rudaki Malokhati 4 pers. 66510 30850 35660 production with use Zainiddin of 4995 plants 5 Phyto-tea production Rudaki Mulloeva Zarrina 9 pers. 61271 8871 52400

Soghd region Group business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employee funds funds source s s 1 Peanut butter Asht Kholmatova 5 persons 46527 10527 36000 production. Peanut Sadokat processing and Ruzimatova production of Jumagul peanut butter Hotamova Shakhnoza Yuldosheva Nafisa 2 Dried fruits Asht Mirzoeva 6 persons 23600 8200 15400 packaging Mutriba Vakhobova Sanavbar Qodirova Zulfiya 3 Bio-gumus Bobojon Makhkamova 5 persons 139516 71700 71778 production and Gafurov, Mukhabbat floriculture. Growing Yova Ismoilova red Californian warn Sharofat and bio-gumus Qobilova production Dilbarjon Otajonova Qumrinisso Juraeva Nasrijon 4 Lemon production Jabbor Rakhmatova 3 person 24426,1 14426 10000 Production of lemon Rasulov Mukhabbat 5 ,15 in greenhouses Rakhmatova Saodat Abdulloeva Khursanoi 5 Mini agro-laboratory Jabbor Ruzieva Sharofat 5 person 23500 13500 10000 on earthworm Rasulov Omonqulova production for soil Donajon cultivation Yormatova Inobat Obidova Dilnoza 6 Vegetable B, Samadova M 7 person 12000 5000 5000 production in the Gafurov, Bobojonova greenhouse Histevarz

Individual business plans

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employee amount funds source s s 1 Floristic shop. Bobojon Jamalkhanova 3 person 114827, 53627 61200 Creation of Gafurov Dilorom 50 exclusive flower bouquets 2 Agrotourizm. B. 55600 37920 17680 Demonstration of Gafurov, vegetables and Ovchi Sharipova Rano 5 persons fruits production Qalacha and processing to the tourists 3 Diary production Isfara Karimova Inobat 4 person 176303 95303 81000

3.6.2. Start up Choikhona V in Khujand

On July 6, 2018 the annual competition Startup Choihona V within Soghd Expo-2018 will be organized in Khujand in partnership with the Government of Soghd region, UNDP, NABWT and Accelerate prosperity and other partners. The main goal of the competition to present innovative business ideas and projects and try to get support for their further development and implementation. Within the sub-project 7 beneficiaries were selected to take part in this significant event. For the first time in the history of the Start up Choihona the rural women will present their business plans. Representatives of the business groups from Soghd, Khatlon and DRS will take part in the event:

# Business plan topic Target Beneficiaries # of Total Own Other zone employee amount funds source s s 1 Peanut butter Asht, Kholmatova 5 pers. 46527 10527 36000 production. Peanut Soghd Sadokat processing and region production of peanut butter 2 Dried fruits Asht, Mirzoeva 6 persons 23600 8200 15400 packaging Soghd Mutriba region 3 Bio-gumus Bobojon Makhkamova 5 persons 139516 71700 71778 production and Gafurov, Mukhabbat floriculture. Yova Growing red Californian warn and bio-gumus production 4 Mini workshop on Khuroson, Abdulloeva 4 persons 93180 49680 49055 furniture production Khatlon Soliyamokh region 5 Confectionery mini- Bokhtar Akhrorova 5 persons 184290 10730 76990 workshop/ (former Inobat 0 production of cakes QT) and pies 6 Raspberry Rudaki, Malokhati 4 persons 66510 30850 35660 production with use DRS Zainiddin of 4995 plants 7 Phyto-tea production Rudaki, Mulloeva 9 persons 61271 8871 52400 DRS Zarrina

Update to the Startup Choihona V

The NABWT made contribution by covering travel and accommodation costs of 2 beneficiaries from Khatlon region – Abdulloeva Soliyamokh and Akhrorova Inobat. Costs of the representatives of DRS – Malokhati Zainiddin and Mulloeva Zarrina – were covered by UNDP. All 7 women presented their business plans. Unfortunately, no one was awarded, but two of them were evaluated as innovative and interesting by the partners of the competition:

 The project “Bio-gumus production and floriculture. Growing red Californian worm and bio-gumus production” presented by Makhkamova Mukhabbat from

Soghd region. The member of the expert commission, Executive director of the PO “Neksigol Mushovir” agreed to support this business group in implementation of the project. As well Startupstan project was interested in Bio- gumus business plan and proposed its support in further realization.

 The author of the project ”Mini workshop on furniture production” Abdulloeva Soliyamokh from Khatlon region was proposed to attend the training on Strategic planning by Accelerate prosperity.

3.7. Develop, design and print informational brochures

Printing materials, including booklets and brochures, are one of the effective methods to raise awareness of the beneficiaries on the specific topics. Within the sub-project the following materials were developed, designed, printed and distributed among the beneficiaries and other stakeholders:

 150 booklets consisting of the information on the UNDP AFT project and NABWT mission on promotion of women’s entrepreneurship in Tajikistan. This kind of booklet was distributed among the stakeholders and beneficiaries during meetings and focus groups.  170 special brochures with success stories of the most successful women- entrepreneurs of Tajikistan from production, agricultural, beauty and design, medical and educational services and handicraft. Success stories were distributed among the beneficiaries within the focus groups and partially within the trainings.  140 informational booklets “First steps to the entrepreneurship”. This printing material reveals major steps on creating, starting up and running businesses in different sectors of entrepreneurship. It was spread among the sub-project beneficiaries and stakeholders during trainings.  40 leaflets with the results achieved by the sub-project and a list of the most rational business plans. This leaflet was and will be distributed among interested stakeholders and beneficiaries.

3.8. Illuminate the project progress and intermediate outcomes via social Media

For awareness raising of the beneficiaries and other interested stakeholders about conducted activities, special activities have been done and published through Mass Media, as well posted regular information via the social net, including Facebook page of the NABWT. See PR materials, including CDs with video materials and newspaper article attached to this report.

 Round table in Dushanbe, UNDP office, May 29, 2018 – TV brief video story on the event on the national TV “Tojikiston”;  Round table in Dushanbe, UNDP office, My 29, 2018 – newspaper articles in “Boju hiroj” and “Tojikiston”; the same article was posted in the web-page of “Tojikiston”; http://tajikistantimes.com/tajikistan/dastgirii-so-ibkorzan-o/  Training in Soghd, June 5-8, 2018 – TV short video story on the regional TV “SM-1”;  Training in Dushanbe for the beneficiaries from DRS, June 11-14, 2018 – TV “Tojikiston”;

 Training in Bokhtar (former QT) for the beneficiaries from Khatlon region, June 11- 14, 2018 – TV “Tojikiston”;  Focus groups, trainings in the target zones and the round table in Dushanbe, May- June. 2018 – posts in the NABWT Facebook page:

1. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2125379997502705 2. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2138558302851541 3. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2157801440927227 4. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2166732293367475 5. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2171662669541104 6. https://www.facebook.com/NABWT/posts/2195708593803178

4. Results achieved during the implementation of sub-project:

Expected results Achieved results

The needs assessment conducted  6 focus groups on need assessment and report provided; conducted with involvement of 139 women  The report provided A special Capacity Building A special Capacity Building Programme for Programme for women formulated women formulated and provided and provided; At least 4 training sessions conducted  5 training sessions delivered in the target in targeted regions, and at least 100 zones females trained as per a special  104 women trained as per a special Capacity Building programme; Capacity Building programme At least 4 women’s group established  14 women’s groups established and consulted;  67 women involved: 49 women in groups and 13 individual

At least 4 business ideas formulated  14 group business ideas formulated and and 4 business plans for establishing 14 group business plans developed enterprises developed;  13 individual business ideas formulated and 13 individual business plans developed A special Capacity Building A special Capacity Building Programme for Programme for women is adjusted as women is considered to be appropriate to the per experience and lessons learned women’s needs. The only lesson learned is to obtained during the implementation prolong the days of the training, thus giving of this sub-project; the women to practice more. The programme narrative reports on 2 interim and 1 final reports submitted conducted activities provided.

5. Challenges/lessons learnt

 The list of the trainings’ participants was made in cooperation with the sub- project partners – local authorities, committees on women and family affairs. But the team faced with the challenges regarding selection of the women- entrepreneurs. In spite of the fact that in previous meeting and in the round table in Dushanbe we discussed the criteria of selection, they tried to promote mainly women-artisans, representatives of local government and public organizations.  The age and appearance of the beneficiaries should not frighten donors and customs of the rural areas. The practice shows that among high-aged rural women there are highly capable and active women-entrepreneurs who could develop own business and as well inspire and motivate young generation for starting up/running business.  Instead of 4 months for the sub-project implementation that we planned when applied for the sub-project, we as a result had to implement it in less than 3 months. It caused some difficulties related to mobilization of the right beneficiaries and organization of other activities. As well due to the Ramazan month and fasting among the beneficiaries, hot weather we faced some troubles in logistic but the team successfully solved these issues.  The idea of gathering training participants in one place for 4 days turned out to be proper because a) it provides with more time to work on the business plans when in the evenings trainers and business consultants can provide women with advices and consultations; b) it helps to establish links among women and strengthen networking.  So as the sub-project team could not reach the indicator of 100 training participants taking into account that it was difficult to manage the auditorium consisting of than 18 persons, due to the agreement with the UNDP Aid for Trade management we organized and delivered an additional training for 22 rural women in Yovon district.  Most of the trained women after learning the trainings’ sessions decided to develop individual business plans. The sub-project team and the business consultant supported such intention of the women and consulted them on that. As a result 13 individual business plans were elaborated.

6. Other relevant materials a. Letters of cooperation with local government of the target zones b. Need assessment questionnaire c. Report on the need assessment analyses d. Capacity Building Programme for women Training curriculum and manuals e. Trainings’ handouts f. Round Table minutes g. The list of focus group participants h. The list of the trainings’ participants i. The list of the Round table’s participants j. Report on analyses of the needs assessments per regions k. The lists of business groups formed l. The copies of business plans elaborated m. The copies of informational materials posted n. Photos on each activity o. CDs with TV video materials on the sub-project activities p. Newspaper article