The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan announces the start of the selection of small business projects to support the development of entrepreneurship in pilot communities within the framework of a project funded by the European Union and implemented jointly with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Applications are open from January 28 to February 28, 2026.

The competition aims to support initiatives that contribute to job creation, strengthening the local economy and developing sustainable entrepreneurship in two pilot cities:

• Yangiabad (Tashkent region)
• Chorkesar (Namangan region)

Support for promising business initiatives

The winners of the competition will be able to receive funding in the amount of 5,000 to 10,000 US dollars, with the possibility of considering larger-scale projects with high social significance for the population.

The financing provides for the purchase of equipment and resources necessary to launch and develop business initiatives.

Priority areas of projects

Projects in the following areas are invited to participate:

• production of goods;
• services demanded by the local population;
• agribusiness and processing of agricultural products;
• artisanal, creative and innovative initiatives;
• projects that contribute to increasing the employment of women, youth and people with disabilities.

The participation of women entrepreneurs is particularly encouraged.

Conditions of participation

To apply, applicants must:

• be registered entrepreneurs or companies (including sole proprietorships, family businesses, limited liability companies and other forms);
• implement a project in Yangiabad or Chorkesar (participation of organizations from other regions is allowed, if business activities are carried out in pilot cities and with the involvement of the local population);
• prepare and submit a full package of documents, including an application form and a description of the business project.

A prerequisite is co-financing from the applicant, which may include labor contribution, equipment, financial resources, raw materials and other resources.

Companies engaged in retail trade, businesses that rent out real estate, as well as enterprises in the process of liquidation or bankruptcy are not allowed to participate.

Application procedure

The completed application form must be sent by February 28, 2026 (inclusive) to the email address: muzaffar.atabaev@undp.org. 

The application form can be downloaded here: 

 

In English: https://go.undp.org/5c3 

In Uzbek: https://go.undp.org/5cZ 

In Russian: https://go.undp.org/5co 

Selection process

The selection committee will evaluate the submitted projects according to a number of criteria, including:

• financial stability;
• economic efficiency;
• innovativeness;
• the applicant's experience;
• social significance for the local population;
• the potential for job creation;
• participation of women and persons with disabilities;
• availability of resources for implementation;
• the amount of co-financing and scaling opportunities.

The evaluation process will take up to 30 calendar days after the deadline for applications.

If you are ready to change your life, open a business or expand an existing one, apply today! UNDP in Uzbekistan wishes success to all participants!