Bishkek, 30 June – On 28 June, participants of the Mentorship Programme, implemented by the JIA Business Association with the support of the UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic, celebrated their graduation. The initiative forms part of the “Aid for Trade” project, financed by the Government of Finland.
The programme was designed to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and boost the export potential of emerging and existing businesses—particularly women and youth—in high value-added sectors such as natural honey, dried fruits and nuts, artisanal felt and leather products, and adventure tourism.
Through comprehensive support, programme participants significantly enhanced their capabilities in business planning, marketing, e-commerce, taxation, and team management. They benefited from tailored mentorship, capacity-building events, networking opportunities, and grant support to launch or scale up their businesses.
Key achievements of the Programme include:
- An average 25% increase in participants’ incomes;
- Establishment of 15 new businesses and creation of 56 jobs, including 45 for women and persons with disabilities;
- One enterprise entered export markets through online sales;
- 33 entrepreneurs expanded their businesses thanks to newly acquired skills and grant support;
- 32 mentors from the business and civil society sectors were trained and actively engaged in mentorship.
Over the course of 17 months, 60 entrepreneurs from across the Kyrgyz Republic received ongoing guidance and practical advice from mentors, participating in over 50 training sessions covering essential topics from financial planning to conflict management.
“Fostering entrepreneurship through mentorship and training is an investment in the sustainable future of Kyrgyzstan. We believe in the potential of women, youth, and local enterprises—and we remain committed to creating opportunities for their growth, exports, and contribution to resilient communities,” - said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Mentorship has proven particularly impactful for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to develop practical business skills and build sustainable professional networks.
“This Mentorship Programme has become an important platform for knowledge exchange and mutual support. We are proud of our participants and confident that the experience gained will serve as a springboard for further business growth and local community resilience,” - added Nuraim Manapbaeva, Head of the Mentorship Programme Team.
Supporting entrepreneurship - especially among women and youth—remains a strategic priority for UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic. Initiatives like this contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, unlock regional economic potential, and create new jobs as part of the country’s National Development Programme through 2030.
