Social Entrepreneurship in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic

Partnering to Support Sustainable Drivers of Development

The Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) is proud to partner with the Synergos Institute, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ashoka, and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in the Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship. The Alliance is a collaborative program aimed at creating and supporting a robust movement for social entrepreneurship in developing countries. At its core, the Alliance believes social entrepreneurs are key agents of change, who often apply innovative solutions to important social issues.

The Alliance seeks to play a critical role in raising awareness about social entrepreneurship and promoting an environment that encourages growth and greater impact of social enterprises. To do this, the Alliance supports an enabling environment for socially oriented enterprises to thrive. The Alliance also promotes the value of social entrepreneurship as a critical element of international development efforts. In Central Asia, the Alliance builds on the experience of the Foundation and the University of Central Asia in growing that region’s entrepreneurial and economic base.

Exploring the Challenges Facing Social Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

With support from AKF USA, the Alliance conducted a mapping report of the economic, political, social, and cultural climates for social entrepreneurship in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The report found that some of the biggest challenges faced by social entrepreneurs involve their limited access to start-up capital and a need for improved public understanding of social entrepreneurship concepts.

On February 14, 2014 AKF USA hosted “Unlocking Social Entrepreneurship in Central Asia,” which shared the results of the mapping study and invited participants to share feedback and ideas for empowering social entrepreneurs. Going forward, knowledge gathered will be used to inform future programs geared towards social entrepreneurship in Central Asia.