OSCE trains directors and staff members from women resource centres in Tajikistan on social enterprise development

Creating models to establish social enterprises and diversify sources of income to ensure sustainability were among the skills learned by twelve women at a training course for 26 representatives of OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs). The course, held from 26 February to 1 March 2024, was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, which provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 WRCs, established by OSCE in close partnership with local authorities.  

Participants learned the theoretical foundations for creating a social enterprise, practical skills in how to devise organizational, operational and financial plans, and make financial and investment analyses and risk assessments. Other topics focused on setting the goals and mission of a social enterprise, concepts of social entrepreneurship, their purpose and vision, and market understanding. 

Marifat Khidiralieva, Director of the Woman’s Resource Centre in Khuroson said: “The course contributed to the growth of motivation and interest in social business. We plan to further apply the acquired knowledge in practice, develop a project on social business and involve the vulnerable women from our region.”

“This training was a logical continuation of a series of trainings on social entrepreneurship that contribute to ensuring income and improving the well-being of WRCs and beneficiaries. I hope that WRCs will achieve success in helping vulnerable groups of the population,” said Gulsha Jumakhonov, an OSCE local expert.

The Director of the WRC “ASTI” in Khujand, Mukhbira Tyuryaeva explained that: “During the course, we looked at the goals and mission of a social enterprise and forms of business implementation. We analyzed what types of clients there are and what to consider when working with clients and also the importance of teamwork in social business.”

The training course is being implemented as part of the OSCE Programme Office’s project ‘Supporting and Strengthening the Women’s Resource Centres in Tajikistan’, funded by the United States of America, Finland, Norway, Germany, and Andorra.