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FACES

of the project

Issue #2

Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership Project

Hope for the deaf


Anvar Salimov, the manager of the Tashkent Training and Production center under the aegis of the Uzbek Association of the Deaf, shares the story on his social enterprise development. deaf. In the mid 90s with the drastic changes and sharp downturn in the economy, it was obvious that this abandoned outskirt on the fringes of Tashkent was no longer a suitable and productive environment. Since then I have passionately started renovating the facility by applying for various grants and participating in tenders. My goal was to update the whole system, from getting a new equipment and money for restoring the workshops to attracting new clients for the products we make. Two years ago we started to expand into the construction business, as we felt it was more relevant and profitable.

Not only the project helped us to improve technological process but also challenged us to become more competitive in the market
I couldnt be more excited, when we participated in a training organized

Anvar Salimov (left) and his worker.

The Tashkent Training and Production center was originally built in 1933. I was hired in 1996 to overcome major difficulties and turn the facility into a viable and successful working community. By 1995 the institution couldnt meet modern market requirements, as the equipment that was used for the production of textiles and carpenters manufactory was noticeably outdated. 2

I have passionately started renovating the facility by applying for various grants and participating in tenders
For more than 60 years, this 3.5 hectare space has been a working place, a shelter, and a home for thousands of disabled persons mostly for the

A ball mill is a type of grinder used to grind materials into extremely fine powder for use in building materials, paints, pyrotechnics, and ceramics.

Urgut Centre for Regional Development


by UNDP. We got a very useful knowledge of social business basics and were guided through all of the processes of buisiness plan developing. The facilities that were provided by the Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership project have been really helpful. We won the competition and a brand new ball mill was bought which is a vastly great contribution to our production process. Now we can produce our own building materials such as emulsion, tile glue, facade plaster etc. Its power is unbelievable; it can manufacture 500 kg. of a separated chalk per hour, 200 tons per month and we already have a big amount of pre-orders. Moreover, this presents a new opportunity for the inclusive employment of deaf people living in the community, with about hundred working for the Training and Production enterprise, out of 700 inhabiting the area. The ball mill employs 5-10 men, with women serving roles in pre-packing. The grand opening of the newly created social enterprise in Samarkand Urgut Centre for Regional Development took place on October 22, 2011

The facilities that were provided by the Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership project have been really helpful
Not only the project helped us to improve technological process but also challenged us to become more competitive in the market. Now we are planning to build up an advertising agency to promote our products.

The ball mill employs 5-10 men, with women serving roles in pre-packing.

I am making my long way to the Samarkand region. To be exact, I am heading to a small town called Urgut, located in a mountainous area. Its been a few months since my last visit when I came here to give my expert support to the Urgut Centre for Regional Development as a specialist of the Nilufarkhon Kamalova (right) at Urgut Centre for ReInclusive Employment gional Development opening and Social partnersuccess. With the support of the ship project. And now its October UNDP Inclusive Employment and 22; with a cold wind outside (and Social partnership project, Social warm hearts inside) we made it Initiatives Support Fund (SISF) and here for the grand opening of the the Socio-Economic Development Center where the local and regional Centre SABR, the Centre was esgovernment representatives, intertablished and numerous grants national guests and UNDP members from abroad were received to build have gathered. new educational points for women and children in crisis. One great Back in August when this initiative example of the social partnership just started to take shape, there is the fact that a local woman-enwerent even resources or a proper trepreneur has kindly offered the office to give it a go. There was only entire first floor of the building she an idea and a strong desire to make owns for the Urgut Centre for Rea difference. But as the Uzbek people gional Development and its needs. believe, a good wish is a half of a 5

Sisters
After months of consulting which was provided by our project, the Centre acquired all the necessary equipment for setting up a social enterprise. Now it has an embroidery workshop where socially handicapped women are involved professionally training the socially handicapped women and girls, but who will also support them morally, encourage and create a safe and comfortable environment for their work. It is common practice when women in rural areas are not allowed to work or earn money by themselves, that in these situations, a social mentor talks to their families and convinces them to let these women work outside the home. The Urgut Centre for Regional Development was efficient enough to find such a woman and she has already attracted nine women for the social enterprise. 100 ikat bags and 100 folders were produced by the Kibray districts Society of women with disabilities for the Second International Business and Culture Womens Forum and Adult Education Forum in Tashkent.

in producing traditional Uzbek hats, a sewing workshop, and a carpet workshop where women have revived the old technique of nature wool weaving. The center has also a class where young women from low-income families will be taught computer skills. And the Socio-Economic Development Centre SABR established there its micro-lending program for low-income, but economically active women so they can start their own small business. What I am also proud of is the idea of attracting a so called social mentor, a woman who will be not only 6

Natalya Plotnikova (front) with the members of the Society of women with disabilities in Tashkent

And just right now, standing here surrounded by the crowd of people with hope in their eyes and cutting the ribbon, I am sure we are doing this for an independent and fulfilling life.

The name of the Kibray districts Society of women with disabilities Sisters - is self-explanatory and tells everything in itself. We care about each other. We are like sisters. And this was the main idea when we established it back in 2000. I was on a wheelchair going through certain hardships in my life and I couldnt rely on anyone elses help. So I decided to start an initiative that would help to empower women like me and find their own place in the labor market.

We had a long path from having no building and equipment to a day when we got a phone call and were asked to produce folders covered with Uzbek ikats for Hillary Clinton
Today, the Society of women with disabilities has a brand new building which allowed us to establish a sewing workshop. Thanks to the UNDP Inclusive Employment and 7

Social Partnership project we were coached and taught how to organize a social enterprise and how to increase our capacities. We were also given the opportunity to produce folders covered with Uzbek fabrics for an event co-organized by the project - the Second International Business and Culture Womens Forum in Tashkent.

I, personally, cried when a girl with Downs syndrome got 8000 soums for her involvement in this order, and she was running around showing her money to everyone around her
Moreover I was invited to give a speech and tell about my experiences to more than 200 people: women entrepreneurs and farmers, representatives of NGO, business, education, culture, banking and academic circles, mass media, state bodies, as well as international guests from Europe and Asia. I was also filmed for a documentary shown during the Forum on the successful implementing of social enterprises, which was shot with the help of Inclusive Employment and Social partnership project. 8

These women are a perfect example of how you should handle difficult obstacles in life. I think its important to lead an active and joyful life instead of sitting and self-pitying yourself. We had a long path from having no building and equipment to a day when we got a phone call and were asked to produce folders covered with Uzbek ikats for Hillary Clinton. I think we did a good job.

Natalya Plotnikova

We received a lot of attention during the Forum and we were flattered that every participant was holding the beautiful Uzbek folders for documents that we made. They were such an instant success that we were asked to make some more for Hillary Clinton, who was visiting Tashkent during that time. It was an unbelievable feeling for all the women who work at our workshop. And I, personally, cried when a girl with Downs syndrome got 8000 soums for her involvement in this order, and she was running around showing her money to everyone around her.

Thanks to the UNDP Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership project we were coached and taught how to organize a social enterprise and how to increase our capacities

Business folders made from ikat

Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership project is aimed to enhance cooperation between CSOs and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in the employment generation and social protection of socially handicapped women and persons with disabilities, focusing on gender and disability mainstreaming, introduction of new ICT tools, enhancement of existing and establishment of new social services, supporting development of social enterprises.

For additional information please contact: Kamola Atajanova, Specialist on PR and Outreach, UNDP IESP Project Tel.: (+998 71) 214 87 29, mobile: (+998 97) 7747943 9

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