Learning Route on women’s empowerment, business development and sustainable natural resource management. Scaling-up programmes for the rural poor in Nepal. 6 to 13 December, 2014. IFAD & PROCASUR. More contents at: http://asia.procasur.org/portfolio_item/nepal-learning-route/

1. Concept Note
Innovation Plan
Tajikistan
Learning Route, 13 December, Lumbini, Nepal

2. Public Private Partnership in support of
women-led groups
 VISION
To set up sustainable export-oriented women-led
small businesses in cashmere, mohair and wool
processing and increase their export capacities in 3
countries: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan

3. Main Objectives
1. To strengthen the institutional and legal framework to
establish women’s co-operatives (based on already
existing women’s groups)
2. To provide additional trainings to women in new
processing methods and business management
(preparation of business plans; saving culture)
3. To support women to access credit resources
4. To establish close contacts between producers,
designers, buyers and markets.

4. Main Results
1. New opportunities for small businesses in the
communities
2. New income generating activities that will directly
impact targeted households
3. Creation of 10 additional women’s group and 5 new
co-operatives (processing of fibre and livestock
products)
4. 20-30 trained women leaders for peer-to-peer training

5. Actors
Private Sector
(buyers,
consumers,
credit unions,
market)
Cooperative
Women
Groups
Women
Groups
Women
Groups
Local &
International
NGOs
Civil
Society
Org.
Donors
agencies
IFAD
Projects
Government
Mass Media

6. Strategic Actions
1. Provide women’s groups with technical training and
assistance to develop business plans and access to credit
2. Establishment of legal status for the co-operatives and
institutional support for their activities
3. Train women new practices in processing technologies
and business management
4. Strengthen the linkages with export and local markets