Business acceleration and incubation in rural areas of Khatlon region

The main goal under this Call for Proposals is to strengthening capacity of residents from remote target districts to run their business and create job opportunities.

The objectives include:

·         Improve access to markets, and access to cross-border trade;

·         Mobilization of local human, material and cultural resources to create value-added products and services for domestic and external markets;

·         Introducing innovations and innovative approaches, solutions and know-how;

·         Promoting technology in non-technology sectors and business processes;

·         Encouraging business development and entrepreneurial activities with particular focus on women, youth and PWDs;

·         Incubating farming households/families, private young entrepreneurs in remote areas;

·         High-quality training and capacity building (seminars, workshops, consultations, coaching and/or mentorship) with special focus on practical application of transferred knowledge;

·         Context-based networking, awareness raising, information exchange and incentive-based linking with other business within and outside the target regions;

·         Acceleration programs that help launch and develop own businesses.

 The given support is provided primarily in agriculture sector, with emphasis on quality food processing and producing end-products ready to be sold in the markets or exported (e.g., equipment, storage, marketing, labelling, design and packaging). Food safety and quality are the key characteristics of products produced via OVOP approach.