Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A training course “START YOUR BUSINESS!” has been launched within the framework of efforts on establishing social enterprises to provide employment opportunities for People With Disabilities (PWDs). The training organized by “ACCESS”, the joint project of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Uzbekistan, is aimed at improving knowledge and skills of leaders of NGOs and social organizations of PWDs on development and implementation of business-projects.

The training organizers expect that participants will get information on establishing and further development of the business, including information on selection of sustainable business ideas and ways of searching for investments as well as developing skills regarding business plan preparation, and conducting easy-way marketing research and financial reporting.

The first training session of the series took place on 17-29 August in Tashkent, and hosted 14 representatives of NGOs and social organizations of PWDs from three project pilot regions (the Tashkent, Samarkand and Shahrisabz cities).

“Through the course, we got familiar with business planning and improved our entrepreneurial skills that we are going to apply in our work to make it more effective”, - said Farkhad Abdurakhmanov, a representative of the NUR Association of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities.

Theoretical and legislative aspects and practical trainings were included in a 14-day curriculum. The training climaxed with participants presenting their business plans developed at the final practical session.

Such practical trainings are of special importance now as the project “ACCESS” is planning to announce a contest for the best Business Project on employment of people with disabilities among NGOs and social organizations of PWDs in October-November this year. The contest winners will receive equipment and/or technologies for starting or expanding their business as well as professional education upon request from the Project. Consultants of the project will render consultative assistance for sustainability of new businesses during one year.

The following training session “START YOUR BUSINESS!” for leaders of NGOs and social organizations of PWDs from the project’s pilot regions (2 representatives from each organization) will take place in Tashkent, September 14 - 26.

The project ACCESS (Accessibility Civic Consciousness Employment Social Support) is aimed at expanding the opportunities of social integration and employment for PWDs through raising public awareness and forming a positive public opinion on the issues of disability; improving the coordination and the building capacity of state and non-state actors in the promotion of implementation of legislation towards PWD; promoting accessibility to social infrastructure; creating a system of social support and the employment of PWDs.