Projects

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.“

1995-1996: The “Shamshod” Project was implemented with financial support from the American Legal Consortium. Legal consultation points for women were established in Khujand. Surveys were developed, and a sociological study involving 700 women from the Sughd region (Khujand, Istaravshan, B. Gafurov, Kanibadam, Isfara, Ayni) was conducted to assess employment. A conference titled “Women and Law in the Republic of Tajikistan” was organized, and recommendations for improving women’s conditions were prepared and submitted to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan.
1996-1997: The “Cypress” Project, supported by Counterpart Consortium, established and operated the “Women’s Legal Center.” Surveys were conducted to identify women for participation in seminars. Based on the surveys, participants were selected, and 12 seminars and 10 roundtable discussions on “Women and Law” were held in Penjikent, Ayni, Shahristan, Istaravshan, Kanibadam, Isfara, Mastchoh, Khujand, Kayrakkum, Chkalovsk, Zafarabad, and Asht. These events involved 490 participants, including law enforcement representatives and local communities.
1998: The Gender Education Project, supported by Mama-Cash, involved seminars organized by the “Women’s Legal Center” to enhance gender education. A total of 180 high school students from the Sughd region and 60 first- and second-year university students from Khujand received training and certificates.
1999: A project to raise public awareness about reproductive rights and health was implemented with financial support from the UN Population Fund. It increased awareness among 288 women of reproductive age in four settlements in Kayrakkum (Kansai, Kayrakkum, Chorukh-Darren, Syr-Darya).
2000-2003: The Women’s Legal Center, in collaboration with IFES, participated in a summer camp titled “Learning Democracy.” The center conducted seminars on “Gender and Women” for students aged 15-17 (grades 9-11). The seminars reached 70 participants in July 2000, 70 in July-August 2001, 70 in July 2002, and 140 in August 2003 in Kayrakkum.
2001-2002: A project supporting entrepreneurship included research on the development of entrepreneurial activities in Khujand and Istaravshan. The findings helped prioritize private sector development and were utilized for socio-economic forecasts and by customs and tax authorities. Business maps of Khujand (1,000 copies) were developed and distributed as guides for aspiring entrepreneurs.
2003: As a partner of the Pragma Corporation under the USAID-funded Entrepreneurship Development Project, the organization trained 625 representatives of small and medium businesses through short-term business courses. Business training covered topics like “Accounting in SMEs,” “Taxes and Law,” “Entrepreneurship Basics,” “Strategic and Business Planning,” “Human Resource Management,” “Marketing,” and “Financial Management.”2005:
The subproject “Capacity Building of Three CBOs in the J. Rasulov District” was implemented after winning a tender announced by the Khujand UNDP office. Training sessions were conducted on capacity-building topics with support from UNDP and TACIS. Additionally, another project titled “Building Community Capacity” was conducted after winning a tender from ACTED, involving 18 two-day training sessions over four months (August-November 2005) for Social Community Councils in Sughd, Tajikistan, and Batken, Kyrgyzstan.

2005: In 2005, AJO also won a tender announced by ACTED. Over the course of four months in 2005 (August, September, October, and November), AJO conducted 18 two-day training sessions titled “Community and Development” for Social Community Councils established by ACTED in the territories of the Sughd Region of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Batken Region of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.
In 2005, AJO also won a tender announced by ACTED. Over the course of four months in 2005 (August, September, October, and November), AJO conducted 18 two-day training sessions titled “Community and Development” for Social Community Councils established by ACTED in the territories of the Sughd Region of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Batken Region of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Project “Capacity Building of Local Communities”
In 2005, AJO also won a tender announced by ACTED. Over the course of four months in 2005 (August, September, October, and November), AJO conducted 18 two-day training sessions titled “Community and Development” for Social Community Councils established by ACTED in the territories of the Sughd Region of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Batken Region of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

2006: The organization won a tender announced by NSIFT to provide capacity-building services to Jamoat Development Councils (JDCs) in Chilgazi, Isfara district.
2005-2011: “Social Rehabilitation/Support for Vulnerable Groups of Women. Since January 5, 2005, the AJO (Organization) began implementing the project “Social Rehabilitation/Support for Vulnerable Groups of Women” with the support of IREX, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2005, the Global Fund (2006-2008), and Misereor (2009-2010). Within the framework of this project, AJO expanded the scope of services provided and strengthened the activities of the existing Women’s Legal Center (WLC), creating “Bonui Khunarmand” centers. These centers focus on training vulnerable women—victims of violence, widows, divorced women, and single mothers—in tailoring, traditional crafts (yurmadusi, zarduzi), cooking, hairdressing, computer literacy, office management, and accounting.
Within the framework of the project, 3 “Bonui Khunarmand” centers were created, which operate in the cities of Khujand, B. Gafurov, and Shahristan. The location of courses in tailoring, traditional crafts (yurmadusi, zarduzi), cooking, hairdressing, and computer literacy in one building in each of these three areas will contribute to the fact that women, having mastered one profession, can, if they wish to learn another, directly achieve their goal and acquire several professions as they continue their education. Such an approach contributes to the quicker social rehabilitation of vulnerable women and their eventual material independence.”

2007-2008: AJMO employees M.A. Bobokhonova and H.A. Rasulova, in collaboration with the NGO “Ehyo – Farhang va Tarakkiyet,” developed the “Guidelines for Evaluating the Quality of Civil Society Organizations’ Activities.” This work established a primary standard for CSOs, identified their types and target groups, ranked CSOs by size, outlined the relationship between quantitative and qualitative standards, and classified qualitative indicators based on CSO levels (beginner, established, and highly developed).
2009-2011: With support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), AJMO managed a Victim Support Center (Shelter) in Sughd. Activities included:
- Receiving 57 victims of human trafficking (19 men and 38 women), including 6 children (3 girls and 3 boys) with parents.
- Providing legal assistance to 1 victim, psychological and social assistance to 51 victims, and medical assistance to 51 victims.
- Assisting 2 vulnerable female migrants and 6 minor children (citizens of the Russian Federation) in returning to their homeland.
Nov 1, 2009 – June 1, 2010: A project on “Combating Human Trafficking” was implemented with IOM support to raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation issues among residents of the B. Gafurov district through research and information campaigns.
September 2010: AJMO won a UN Women tender to select a national partner for a project (2010-2015) aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship among families of labor migrants. Activities included mobilizing 1,200 women and other family members of labor migrants into self-help groups.
- Targeted 15 jamoats in Sughd’s districts: Ganchi, Isfara, B. Gafurov (Phase 1), Asht, and Kanibadam (Phase 2).
- Formed 493 self-help groups, covering 3,205 people.
Aug 2010 – Apr 2011: The Land Reform/Chemonics Project was implemented with USAID support. Two Legal Aid Centers (LACs) were established to provide legal services and training for farmers and rural citizens in Ayni district.
2011: The project “Legal Support for Dehkan Farms and Rural Residents in J. Rasulov District on Land Law Issues” was launched with Helvetas support. Activities included increasing the legal literacy of 3,000 DFH members through 26 seminars, 25 informational meetings, 2 roundtables, 12 leaflets, and 1 talk show.
2012: The project “Enhancing Legal Literacy within the Network ‘Protection and Support of Villages'” began with Helvetas support, aiming to increase the legal awareness of DFH members in J. Rasulov and B. Gafurov districts.
Dec 2015 – 2018: The project “Organization and Development of Apricot, Tomato, and Onion Clusters in B. Gafurov, J. Rasulov, and Asht Districts” was implemented with GIZ/TRIGGER support.
- Formed 80 Production Groups across 3 clusters, involving 1,687 farmers.
- Conducted training sessions on topics like “Start Your Business,” “Taxation and Cost Calculation,” “Cultivation Technology,” and “Pest Management.”
- Organized a fair in Asht showcasing dried apricots and 3 study tours to Tajikistan and Turkey (Malatya).
- Created a network of rural advisors to enhance the sustainability of apricot, onion, and tomato clusters.
- Implemented 35 projects worth €130,000, with €65,100 funded by GIZ and the rest by the production groups. These projects focused on mechanizing apricot, onion, and tomato production and boosting export potential.
- 2019-2021: The project “Promoting Inclusive Rural Economic Growth for Community Well-Being – TRIGGER II” was implemented with GIZ support.
  - Objective: Enhance economic sustainability for smallholder farmers, involving 2,175 members of production groups (1,967 mobilized under TRIGGER I and 340 planned for TRIGGER II) and 33 rural advisors (21 from TRIGGER I and 12 women advisors planned under TRIGGER II).
  - Implemented in Asht, B. Gafurov, Isfara, and Kanibadam districts, engaging 119 production groups and 33 rural advisors (previous and new), covering approximately 54.8% of TRIGGER II’s modular indicator 1.
- Aug 2017 – Aug 2018: The project “Increasing Legal Literacy on Land Relations and Taxation for Production Group Members in Sughd Province” was implemented with U.S. Embassy support.
  - Conducted 80 seminars with lawyers and tax officials, enhancing legal literacy for 1,687 production group members, solving land share documentation issues, improving relations with tax authorities, and identifying social protection gaps for women in households.
- 2007–2010: The project “Civil Society Participation in Monitoring the National Poverty Reduction Strategy” was carried out with ACT Central Asia support.
  - AJMO joined 14 organizations in a network facilitating the monitoring of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, developing methodologies and tools for monitoring implementation.
- Feb 2009–2010: The project “Creating Favorable Conditions for Cross-Border Trade Development in Tajikistan” was implemented with RTLC (USAID) support.
  - Aimed at facilitating cross-border trade by addressing issues faced by shuttle traders (including women entrepreneurs), SMEs, customs, and border authorities through research, training, focus groups, and recommendations for legislative improvement.
- Nov 2016–Jan 2017: The project “Promoting Start-Up Entrepreneurship Among 150 Returned Migrants in Sughd Province” was supported by the Open Society Foundation in Tajikistan.
  - Focused on building returned migrants’ capacity in business planning. Training participants had access to low-interest loans via AJMO-established Microfinance Institution “Baror.”
- 2016–2017: The project “Enhancing Financial Literacy” was implemented with IFC/WBG support.
  - Aimed to improve financial literacy in budgeting and financial planning through widespread informational campaigns in Sughd Province.
- Jul 2017–Sep 2018: The project “Ensuring Sustainable Financial Management of Targeted Water Users’ Associations (WUAs)” was implemented with Helvetas support.
  - Included training, coaching, and technical assistance to reduce WUA debt, improve water use fee collection, and enhance membership fee payments.
  - Developed 29 budgets for target WUAs and conducted studies on barriers to women’s participation in WUA activities.
- Oct 2019–Mar 2020: The project “Baseline Survey for Phase II Monitoring of the Integrated Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP)” was implemented with Helvetas support.
  - Established baseline data for monitoring progress in improving rural livelihoods, water use efficiency, and the transparency of irrigation system management in the Syrdarya basin.
  - Focused on assessing agricultural productivity, water use efficiency, and governance effectiveness at various levels of irrigation systems.
- This passage outlines various projects in the water management and gender equality sectors in Tajikistan, focusing on the involvement of women and youth in decision-making processes related to water resources. Below is a breakdown of the mentioned projects:
  Women’s Water Forum in the Tajik Part of the Syr Darya River Basin (2019-present)
  Aims to achieve gender equality in integrated water resource management.
  Supports equal rights and opportunities for men and women through gender-sensitive evaluations, education lobbying, and creating an environment free from gender stereotypes.
  Efficient and Joint Water Resource Management Project (2020)
  Focuses on improving irrigation system management using international water management standards.
  Goals include developing joint irrigation management plans, enhancing water use efficiency, increasing water payment collection, and improving coordination among stakeholders.
  Rural Development and Economic Resilience II (Mar 2022 – Oct 2023)
  Enhances business models for small farmers, focusing on the sustainability of innovation-driven models and mobilizing small farmers and rural consultants.
  Activating the Role of Women and Youth in Water Resource Management in the Kofarnigan River Basin (Sept 2022 – Aug 2023)
  Aimed at strengthening the role of women and youth in water management through training and creating the Women’s Forum of the Kofarnigan River Basin.
  Focused on sharing knowledge and experiences with the Syr Darya Women’s Forum and raising awareness in local communities.
  Promotion of Gender Equality in Water Resource Management (Aug – Dec 2023)
  Conducted participatory research to develop gender-sensitive interventions in the water sector in the Kofarnigan basin.
  The project included creating questionnaires, methodology development, and conducting intermediate assessments.
  Mentorship Network for Journalists and Media (Sept – Nov 2023)
  Focused on enhancing the capacity of journalists and media in Tajikistan to cover gender-sensitive issues.
  Included training for mentors, expanding the mentor network, and producing materials to promote gender equality.
  Each project aims to enhance the involvement of women and marginalized groups in the governance of water resources, improving both gender equity and the sustainability of water management practices in Tajikistan.
  Promotion of Gender Equality in Water Resource Management in the Kofarnigan Basin (Aug – Dec 2023)
  Goal: To develop gender-sensitive and gender-transformative interventions in the water sector through participatory research.
  Activities include developing questionnaires, training researchers, assessing interim results, and presenting the final report and recommendations.
  Enhancement of the Mentoring Network for Journalists and Media (Sept – Nov 2023)
  Goal: Strengthen the capacity of journalists in Tajikistan to cover gender-sensitive issues.
  Tasks included forming a network of mentors, conducting training for mentors on gender-sensitive reporting, and facilitating the development of materials by mentees.
  The project culminated in a presentation event showcasing the mentoring network and the best materials produced.
  Mobilizing Local Resources for Rural Community Development (Feb – Dec 2011)
  Focused on raising awareness about the risks of illegal migration and providing training and counseling on labor migration, family budgeting, and community development.
  Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Human Trafficking Victims in Shelter (Apr 2013 – Sept 2016)
  Managed by IOM in the Sughd region, this project identified and provided psychological, medical, and rehabilitation assistance to over 100 potential victims of trafficking.
  Strengthening the Fight Against Human Trafficking and Protection of Vulnerable Migrants in Central Asia (Feb – Dec 2018)
  The project involved 16 informational meetings aimed at strengthening efforts against human trafficking in Tajikistan.
  Reducing the Negative Consequences of Internal Labor Migration (2019 – 2021)
  Focused on raising awareness and providing assistance to vulnerable migrants, including identification, referral, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims of trafficking.
  Strengthening the State and Civil Society Dialogue on Internal Human Trafficking (2019-2020)
  The project conducted 24 informational meetings, reaching 437 participants, with a focus on internal human trafficking.
  Improving the Welfare of Migrant Workers and Their Families in Tajikistan (2021)
  Aimed to provide pre-departure information to migrant workers and their families and improve their financial management skills to mitigate the social impacts of migration.
  Humanitarian Response to the Crisis in Afghanistan (Dec 2021)
  Provided humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees and vulnerable groups in Tajikistan, including food aid and support for migrants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic violence.
  Pre-departure Orientation Sessions for Migrants (Feb – Mar 2023)
  The project offered pre-departure training for seasonal workers migrating from Tajikistan to the UK, with logistical support such as transportation and accommodation for participants.
  Economic Opportunities for Returnee Migrants and Their Families (Oct 2022 – Sept 2024)
  Focuses on expanding economic opportunities for 400 returnee migrants and their families by improving financial literacy, business skills, and access to vocational training, as well as strengthening coordination between government and community groups.
  These projects address a range of issues including gender equality, migration, labor rights, human trafficking, and community development, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and returnee migrants.
  Safe Migration and Counter-Trafficking Project (Feb 23 – Sept 30, 2024)
  Goal: To provide protection and direct assistance to victims of human trafficking, vulnerable migrants, and returnee migrants.
  Tasks:
  Conduct 12 informational meetings in targeted districts to inform the public and activists about the project’s goals and objectives.
  Identify vulnerable and returning migrants, as well as trafficking victims, prepare necessary documentation, and submit them for approval to IOM.
  Acquire the required equipment and items as per the business plan and distribute them to project beneficiaries.
  Monitor the implementation and progress of the project.
  Protection of Vulnerable Migrants with Focus on Women’s Empowerment (May 1 – Oct 31, 2024)
  Goal: To provide material and technical support to IOM as part of a project focused on protecting vulnerable migrants, with a special emphasis on empowering women in the context of migration in Central Asia, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  Effective Use of Financial Resources through Financial Literacy and Business Basics Training (Jan – Mar 2024)
  Goal: To provide training in financial literacy and offer technical support to returnee migrants.
  Enhancing Organizational Capacity by Attracting New Members (Aug – Dec 2024)
  Goal: Ensure the sustainability of the organization by creating valuable services for members in four targeted districts in the Sughd region and by enhancing the organization’s online presence through a website relaunch and establishing correspondent points with active members.
  Tasks:
  Identify the needs of potential members in the four targeted districts.
  Create an effective online information exchange system, focusing on the revitalization of the organization’s website.
  Establish a system for delivering effective and in-demand services to potential members.
  Second Phase of the Safe Migration and Counter-Trafficking Project (Jan 1 – Sept 30, 2025)
  Goal: To continue providing protection and direct assistance to victims of human trafficking, vulnerable migrants, and returnee migrants.
  Tasks:
  Conduct 12 additional informational meetings in targeted areas.
  Identify vulnerable migrants and trafficking victims, prepare and submit the necessary documents for approval.
  Acquire and distribute necessary equipment and items according to the business plan.
  These projects focus on migration-related issues, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups such as trafficking victims, returnee migrants, and women. They also aim to improve financial literacy, provide technical support, and enhance organizational capacity for better service delivery.

Organizational potential: During the period of its activity, AJO completed a number of projects aimed at achieving the mission of the organization. It should be noted that our organization has sufficient human resources in the field of social mobilization, economics and rights.

In order to achieve the mission of its organization, AJO pursues five areas of activity

1. Social mobilization of family members of migrant workers, smallholder farmers and vulnerable families

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2. Promotion of land reform and improvement of legal literacy of land users on land and water legal relations

3. Establishment of civil society through the provision of training and consulting services in the field of law and economics.

4. Raising the status of women and the level of women’s education.

5. Countering trafficking in human beings and supporting migrants

Projects and activities:

1995-2010: PROJECTS POINTED TO IMPROVE WOMEN'S STATUS

Project "Shamshod" 1995-1996 (American Legal a consortium) ... DETAIL

Project "cypress" 1996-1997 (Counterpart consortium) ... DETAIL

The project "Gender Education" 1998 (Mama cash) ... DETAIL

Project "Increasing of public awareness about reproductive rights and health", 1999 (Population Fund) ... DETAIL

"Summer Camps", 2003 (IFES) ... DETAIL

Social Rehabilitation / support for vulnerable groups of women, 2005-present (IREX, Global Ь Fund, MIZERIOR (Germany)) ... DETAIL

Project "Combating human Trafficking " 2009-2010 (IOM) ... DETAIL

2001-2010: ACTIVITIES ON DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE AND EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL MOBILIZATION OF COMMUNITIES

Sub-project "Capacity Building in 3 Jamoat Support Centers (JSP) of J. Rasulov District, 2005 (UNDP Khujand office) ... DETAIL

The project "Capacity building of local communities", 2005 (ACTED) ... DETAIL

Creating and enhancing the capacity of the Council of Chilgazi Jamoat Development Council , 2006 (NSIFT) ... DETAIL

The project "Strengthening of workers' clubs at the Emloyment Centres in J. Rasulov and Isfara districts” 2006 (UNDP Khujand office) ... DETAIL

The program "Civil Society", 2006-2007 (Aga Khan Development) ...DETAIL

The project "Participation of CSOs in monitoring the National Strategy on Poverty Ь Redction(NSPR)” 2007-present (Act Central Asia) ... DETAIL

The project "Support of entrepreneurship", 2001-2002 (Eurasia Foundation) ... DETAIL

"Enterprise Development Project” 2003 (USAID / Pragma) ... DETAIL

The Research "Women and Violence", 2004 (AWS Board) ... DETAIL

The project "From the legal equality to practical equality" 2008 (President’s Office, UNDP Dushanbe) ... DETAIL

Strengthening the capacity of CSOs organization of B. Gafurov, J. Rasulov and Isfara areas, 2008 (UNDP) ... DETAIL

Creating and enabling environment for the development of cross-border trade in Tajikistan, 2009-present (draft RTLC (USAID), EFCA, GTZ) ...DETAIL

“Social mobilization of migrant’s family members” starting from 2011 year, which aims to help 1200 women in the towns and cities in Soghd region in Tajikistan by providing training on founding and managing their business by several groups of woman whose spouses left overseas for the earnings (project supported by UN Women and IOM) ...DETAIL

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