Project term: 01.07.2020-31.12.2022

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan remain among the economically weakest countries of the former Soviet Union. One of the biggest challenges is the very different standard of life between urban and rural areas. Half to three quarters of the population lives in rural areas. Financial inclusion will make a sustainable contribution to securing and increasing income.

The overall aim of the project is to create employment opportunities to improve the living conditions and perspectives for people in rural areas. This aim is achieved by combining the supply and demand side.

On one hand, the focus lies on supporting the partner financial institutions in the development of demand-oriented products, process optimization in credit allocation and consulting. On the other hand, financial and entrepreneurial literacy programs promote the competence of the rural population and MSMEs to take responsibility for their own long-term future planning. By networking stakeholders on the supply and demand side, we achieve a greater understanding of the needs of all people involved.

Responsible finance management is a basic requirement for wealth and growth. Especially in times of Covid-19, which affected Central Asia strongly, the project strengthens resilience to external influences.