LocationsThe Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme (WESP) community came together for a two-day celebration of women’s entrepreneurship, bringing together the vibrant HAMROH FEST fair, the Grant Award ceremony, practical mentorship and new opportunities for business growth.
HAMROH FEST: A Platform for Women Entrepreneurs to Connect and Grow
August 6, 2026
Held on 1–2 August, HAMROH FEST brought together women entrepreneurs, partners and supporters to celebrate the achievements and growing potential of women-led businesses across Uzbekistan. The event provided women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their products, connect with customers, exchange experiences and explore new business opportunities. The festival also featured the grant award ceremony, recognising 20 women entrepreneurs whose businesses will benefit from asset-based grant support of up to USD 5,000.
HAMROH FEST: Showcasing the Potential of Women-Led Businesses
Organised by HAMROH company in partnership with UNDP and The Coca-Cola Company, HAMROH FEST brought together 40 women entrepreneurs and brands from across Uzbekistan for a two-day fair.
As part of the WESP community, participating entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their products and services, reach new customers, expand their networks and explore potential business partnerships. From fashion and handmade crafts to beauty and home décor, the festival highlighted the diversity, creativity and growing potential of women-led businesses supported through the programme.
“When I was starting out in business, I had so many questions about where to begin. Through the HAMROH WESP Programme, I found the answers I was looking for and took my very first steps. Now, participating in HAMROH FEST has exceeded all my expectations. It has created a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with fellow entrepreneurs,” said Zarifa Polvonova, a ceramics entrepreneur and HAMROH FEST participant.
More than a marketplace, HAMROH FEST created a space for women entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, build new connections and discover opportunities that can support their businesses beyond the festival.
Grant Awards: Investing in Women’s Business Growth
An important highlight of the celebration was the Grant Awards, where 20 women entrepreneurs were recognised from more than 250 applicants following a highly competitive selection process. Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation under WESP programme, the grants provide up to USD 5,000 in essential tools and machinery tailored to the specific needs of each business, helping entrepreneurs strengthen their operations, expand production and create new opportunities in their communities.
Among the grant recipients is Marhabo Bakriyeva from Nurota district of Navoiy region, who is building a sewing business that aims to open doors for women in her community. Her workshop already employs five people, and with additional equipment, she plans to expand production and create up to 15 more jobs for women. For Marhabo, business growth is closely connected to improving livelihoods in her remote rural area, where employment opportunities for women are limited.
Another grant recipient, Madina Abulkasimova, is taking her entrepreneurial journey in a new direction in Samarkand. With years of experience in tourism, she is now sharing her knowledge with the next generation of tourism professionals. Through her private tour operator company, she is developing online and offline training programmes for tour operators, travel agents and guides. Her vision is to make professional knowledge and practical skills more accessible to people working in the tourism sector. The grant support will help her equip a space for offline training, complementing the online platform and website already under development.
For Sayyora Kasimova, entrepreneurship is closely connected to creating a more inclusive society. She operates a day-care facility in Namangan district that supports children and adults with disabilities, while also running kindergartens that welcome children with disabilities. Her work responds to the needs of families who require specialised care and accessible services for their loved ones. With grant support, Sayyora plans to acquire additional equipment and assistive devices to improve the quality of services provided to people with disabilities.
“I started my entrepreneurial journey years ago looking for opportunities for my own child. Through the WESP programme, I strengthened my vision, gained vital knowledge, and have received a grant that now allows me to create opportunities for hundreds of families. My message to all women entrepreneurs is simple: do not wait for opportunities, see them, seize them, and use them to transform lives,” said Sayyora Kasimova, a grant winner from Namangan region.
The WESP programme was initiated by HAMROH – Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Company and is implemented by UNDP with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and The Coca-Cola Foundation.
From Inspiration to Practical Business Growth
The celebration also provided women entrepreneurs with opportunities to strengthen their businesses through practical mentorship. Following the grant awards, participants took part in a hands-on mentoring programme focused on three key areas of business growth: building a strong brand and promoting it without large budgets, increasing sales and retaining customers, and strengthening the financial sustainability of small businesses.
Through real-life business cases, experts helped entrepreneurs identify challenges, discover growth opportunities and develop practical steps they could apply to their businesses.
From showcasing products and meeting new customers to gaining practical knowledge and accessing business support, the event offered women entrepreneurs valuable opportunities to strengthen their businesses and turn their ambitions into sustainable growth.
