December 22, 2021, Nukus, Karakalpakstan. Today, training on the development of the main entrepreneurial skills and stages of launching startup initiatives for young people aged 18-30 years from Kungrad, Muynak, Bozatau districts and Nukus city is being held at the Youth Center. The event takes place in a hybrid format in the framework of the UNDP, UNFPA, FAO Joint Programme "Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens’ creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region", funded by the Multi Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of this programme, it is planned to create local startups of incubators and accelerators which will support the innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs in Karakalpakstan. It is planned to introduce a youth platform at the Youth Affairs Agency, where all the necessary conditions will be provided for the self-realization of future entrepreneurs and their skills in the field of startup projects.

Experts from the Russian Federation, recognized in this area, are invited to conduct training, experienced mentors who will guide participants during the programme from the moment of the business idea origin till the startup is launched. Startup projects that have passed the selection on a competitive basis will receive funding from the UN Development Programme for implementation. The main directions of ideas for startup projects are:

• economy 
• social sphere
• IT
• tourism
• climate changes in the region (agriculture associated)

UNDP assists in improving the efficiency and implementation of innovation in agriculture of Karakalpakstan, promoting smart and digital communities with a favorable infrastructure to expand the rights and opportunities of young people, women, as well as vulnerable groups of people, including people with disabilities, families led by women, labor migrants and etc.