In March 2015, with support from the European Union, the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) initiated a new 3-year Project called “Youth Empowerment toward Sustainability and Change” (YES to Change) within the framework of the EU “Peace Building Partnership Programme”. The project is funded by the European Union (494,096 Euros = 80%) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (130,904 Euros = 20%). The Project activity targets 7 districts of Badakhshan and its
capital town Khorog.
Within the Project framework, Public Organization (PO) “Madina” in partnership with the DVV International announces call "Start and Improve Your Business" among youth in Badakhshan. The purpose of this call is to improve the economic status of young people through development of entrepreneurship and creation of new jobs. This will be achieved through training and consultations provided by local experts to representatives of SMEs; identification of youth business ideas, which have commercial potential, and support to their implementation through provision of small grants. The call started on September 1, 2015 and will last until December 20, 2015.
The call will be held in the following nominations:
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture
- Services
- Educational services
- Crafts
The first round of the competition implies review of the project proposals and business plans of the applicants until 20 December 2015. Applications will be evaluated by an expert committee. After the first level selection, members of the expert committee will hold meetings and interviews in districts with the semi-finalists. The final awards ceremony, celebration of winners and award of prizes will be held in Khorog in April and October 2016.