In partnership with Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of Republic of Uzbekistan, we announce a contest to support entrepreneurial and individual labor initiatives of vulnerable people within the framework of joint project “Promoting youth employment in Uzbekistan”.

The aim of the contest is to expand opportunities of employment and income for vulnerable people, especially for women and youth, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physical entities, individual entrepreneurs, family enterprises with and without a legal entity who want to start or expand small business or individual labor activities in Andijan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Surkhandarya and Namangan regions can participate in the contest.

The winners of the competition will be provided technical assistance in the form of equipment, office equipment, furniture, sewing machines, tools, equipment, etc., and methodological assistance in the form of consultation, practical training, education, master classes, etc. under the terms of co-financing by the beneficiary/applicant.

During the implementation of the initiative beneficiaries are required to contribute in the form of material assets, their own labor, real estate, small equipment, vehicles, raw materials, etc.

Based on the results of the competitive selection, 5 projects selected by the evaluation committee in each region will receive technical assistance in an equivalent amount from 3 to 5 thousand US dollars.

Those who wish to participate in the competition can apply through the territorial offices of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations in the above-mentioned target regions.

During evaluation of an application and identifying the most promising entrepreneurial or individual labor initiatives, priority will be given to projects: 1) creating more jobs for women and youth; 2) initiated by women or youth, graduates of vocational training centers in the regions; 3) have the potential for spreading and scaling the initiative  to other regions.

Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2020.

Announcement of the results until 22.08.2020

Those applications which have retail trade or real estate for rent as the main activity and are at the liquidation stage will not be considered.

Technical assistance is provided with financial support from the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Japan within the framework of the joint project of the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations “Promoting Youth Employment in Uzbekistan".

For more information: +998 93 397-75-99, Bekhzod Umarov, Public Relations Specialist of “Promoting Youth Employment in Uzbekistan” joint project.