When Guljamal Turdueva learned about the UNDP Mentorship Programme, she immediately realized this was the opportunity she had been missing. At the early stage of her entrepreneurial journey, she was not only looking for training, but also for support that would help her stay focused and move forward with confidence.

“It was important for me not just to gain knowledge, but to understand how to apply it in practice. My mentor helped me look at the development of my business from a different perspective,” says Guljamal.

Her mentor was Azamat Jamankulov, an experienced entrepreneur and strategist. During their meetings, they set goals, worked through key questions, and mapped out concrete steps for developing her service business. The training sessions were especially useful. Mentorship helped Guljamal improve her self-organization, see the potential of her ideas, and gain more confidence in decision-making.

“This programme helped me realize that I am not alone. There is a community, there is knowledge, and there is support,” she emphasizes.

For Azamat Jamankulov, joining the programme was a continuation of his professional path and an opportunity to apply his knowledge in a new format. He believes mentorship is not a one-way transfer of knowledge, but a dialogue where both sides learn and grow.

“Working with new entrepreneurs brings new ideas and energy. It is hands-on work — with real challenges that people are facing right now,” he notes.

Within the UNDP Mentorship Programme, implemented under Aid for Trade project funded by the Government of Finland and the development of women’s and youth entrepreneurship, Azamat works with participants from different regions. He helps them structure business processes, identify opportunities, and make decisions based on real conditions.

Azamat is confident that women’s and youth entrepreneurship in Kyrgyzstan has strong potential. What matters most is creating the conditions for these ideas to take shape.

The story of Guljamal Turdueva and Azamat Jamankulov is one example of how the UNDP Mentorship Programme supports entrepreneurs across the regions. Participants gain access to training, individual mentoring, grants, and networking opportunities. In total, 60 entrepreneurs from across Kyrgyzstan have joined the programme, leading to the creation of 15 new businesses and 56 jobs — 45 of them taken up by women and persons with disabilities.

Supporting women’s entrepreneurship remains an important part of UNDP’s work in the Kyrgyz Republic. Such initiatives contribute to the implementation of the National Development Programme until 2030, stimulate regional economies, and create new jobs. The programme also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive and sustainable approaches in business.