From July 15 to August 2, the UN Development Program conducted a series of mentoring trainings on the basics of entrepreneurship for youth in the city of Balkanabat, Buzmeyin etrap and Sayat etrap.

The trainings were aimed at equipping youth with essential entrepreneurial skills, stimulating business innovation and supporting economic development in line with UNDP's goals of building resilience and preventing violent extremism in the region.

A total of 72 youth representatives took part in the training. The trainings provided participants with a comprehensive platform to learn key entrepreneurship topics such as business planning, financial management, market analysis, as well as explore government support options for local entrepreneurs.

The training in Sayat attracted the attention of local authorities and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, creating opportunities for participants to receive further support and mentoring.

The trainings are expected to equip young women and men with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive economy, and contribute to peace and stability in the country and beyond.

The trainings were conducted as part of the country component of the regional project “Promoting Sustainable Communities to Prevent Violent Extremism in Central Asia.”

This project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan, aims to improve community resilience, empower youth and counter violent extremism, as outlined in the 2022 Human Security Special Report. Covering Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the project promotes social cohesion and regional connectivity through the organization of high-level meetings, youth exchanges and training events. The project is built on the “Central Asia plus Japan” dialogue and is in line with the Secretary-General’s Action Plan and UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, according to a UNDP press release.