Background:
This project has been developed by Mission East and its partners ora international (the leading agency assisting people with special needs in Tajikistan and other CIS countries) and "Zarshedebonu" or "Sunshine" NGO (a Kulob -based registered national NGO engaged in social protection for more than seven years working in Eastern Khatlon), in close cooperation with government counterparts and the target population.

Reflecting its title, it will increase incomes, lead to more independence and achieve the social and economic inclusion of people and families coping with disabilities. This project addresses the core problems hampering development in the Kulyob district, Tajikistan by addressing the low productivity in the agricultural sector;
no independent access to farming assets (inputs, machinery, land);
absence of opportunities to turn business ideas into practice;
lack of appropriate support mechanisms for people with disabilities, and stigmatization.

The project will enhance local economic development both on-farm and off-farm, by providing land, know-how and production assets to the most vulnerable as well as business opportunities to women; contribute to greater independence of small scale farmers from the cotton/ kholkhoz complex by establishing sustainable mechanisms for bulk input procurement and leasing of farm machinery; promote improved social services delivery by establishing alternative models to state institutions and by building the capacity of professional staff in this sector; and create and strengthen community based organizations by including them into all project activities, by building technical and organizational know-how and by giving them final ownership of the project's assets.

Action:
The project will enhance local economic development both on-farm and off-farm, by providing land, know-how and production assets to the most vulnerable as well as business opportunities to women; contribute to greater independence of small scale farmers from the cotton/ kholkhoz complex by establishing sustainable mechanisms for bulk input procurement and leasing of farm machinery;
promote improved social services delivery by establishing alternative models to state institutions and by building the capacity of professional staff in this sector;
and create and strengthen community based organizations by including them into all project activities, by building technical and organizational know-how and by giving them final ownership of the project's assets.

A total of 38,000 people in rural areas and 2,700 people with disabilities will benefit from these project activities.