Goals and objectives: The solution was initiated in 2013 within the project "The participation and involvement of women in mountain areas the local economy through the development of crafts," aimed to involve women of mountainous areas in the local economy through the development of handicrafts.

Implementation: The project covered two districts of the Sogd region, Ayni (Shamtuch Jamoat) and Panjakent (Farob, Moghiyon, and Shing Jamoats), with a population of 39,000. The main activity was to increase the incomes of rural women through the creation of four action groups. The project conducted a series of trainings and master classes and two exchange visits.

Two exhibitions of photos and crafts were held in Khujand and Dushanbe to engage the attention of urban residents and the surrounding environments, to promote traditional crafts in the countryside and to establish business relations between rural and urban areas. The project involved single women, widows, young women and girls. Qualified Tajik and international trainers helped more than 120 women develop their skills, improve the quality of their products and generate income.

The final output included development of the catalogue representing textile ornaments and patterns of the Zarafshon Valley of Tajikistan, which has been a remarkable output of the NGO Zarafshon Valley Tourism Development Association (ZTDA). The rich variety of patterns and decorative motifs included in this catalogue provide hope that these precious samples, an evidence of the history and culture of Zarafshon Valley, will raise particular interest among readers and will take their place in the world`s treasury of textile ornamentation.

Achievements: The solution greatly contributed to women's socialization, recovery and in some regions the revival of the handicraft sector.

Replication: The solution can be of interest for countries aiming to empowerment of urban or rural women through development of local crafts.

Budget: $23,421

Partner: NGO «Zarafshon Valley Tourism Development Association» (ZTDA)

Contact details: 
Tajikistan 
Open Society Institute - Assistance Foundation in Tajikistan
Lolisanam Ulugova, Program Coordinator, Arts & Culture Program 
Office Phones: (+992) 47 441 0728; 47 441 0744; 227 5558 
Fax: (+992) 47 441 0729 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sorostj