UNICEF supported organization of the International Youth Entrepreneurship Forum

Dushanbe, 27 August 2021 - The Committee on Youth Affairs and of the Republic of Tajikistan with the support of UNICEF organized an-International Youth Forum "The best start-up projects of youth", that took place on 27th of August in Dushanbe.

Young entrepreneurs from Tajikistan and thirteen countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization took part in this forum. The aim of the forum was to create a platform for young people to exchange knowledge, ideas, and experience, as well as promote skills, social-oriented ideas, and entrepreneurship among the youth, which is in line with the national priority of Tajikistan, Youth Strategy 2030.

The forum brought together 70 people - representatives of the Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports, young entrepreneurs, and investors from the CIS and SCO, representatives of UN development agencies and the private sector, heads of banks and financial organizations, heads of associations, and young entrepreneurs from all regions of Tajikistan.

During the forum, participants – youth entrepreneurs had an opportunity to share their knowledge with their peers, discuss the role of the young people to promote inclusive economic development through the creation of start-ups and entrepreneurship. In the run-up to the forum, 14 start-up projects from each participating country were selected to be pitched during the event. Investors and heads of financial institutions were invited to participate in presentation sessions. Also, 25 highly promising start-up projects were showcased to the participants of the forum.

“The involvement of young people in all processes contributes to social, political, and economic participation of youth in the growth of nations. Adolescents and young people represent a triple dividend for social development. We also strongly believe in investments aimed at unlocking the potential of children, adolescents, and youth in bridging the skills gap for them to catch up with the fast-paced scientific and technological advancements that are changing the landscape of education and employability.”-noted Osama Makkawi, UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan.

The involvement of young people in all processes contributes to social, political, and economic participation of youth in the growth of nations. Adolescents and young people represent a triple dividend for social development.

UNICEF Tajikistan is working with the Government and other partners, including un agencies to unlock adolescents’ potential so that they become agents of change and contribute to advocating for an inclusive, tolerant, and peaceful society, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

With the skills and innovation component as one of the key priorities, UNICEF aims to see every adolescent girl and boy, including the most marginalized, empowered for a successful transition from school to a productive, active life, so far this has reached about 15,000 young people.

With the generous support of development partners and local counterparts, UNICEF has set up Innovation Labs across the country to promote soft skills and planning to set up Remote Job Centers in different districts of the country to accelerate opportunities for remote jobs. A pilot Remote Job Center has already been set up within the labor agency of the Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of Tajikistan.