[[nid:408821]]

This five-year, $20 million program expands the partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to improve the quality of life for people in 16 districts of Tajikistan.

OBJECTIVES

The Thrive project strengthens the ability of local government institutions in resource management and effective social service delivery; and improves the performance of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs. 

STRATEGY

The Thrive project uses an integrated, holistic, and locally-driven approach to address economic and social challenges across Khatlon and GBAO regions. To improve quality of life, Thrive will increase access to fresh water and sanitation, health, education, and energy services; develop the agriculture sector and catalyze small and growing businesses; and improve financial services and local governance. The Thrive project works directly through its beneficiaries – communities and local government institutions, exploring options for private sector engagement and drawing on previous experiences, lessons learned, and best practices of USAID programs and other donor organizations in Tajikistan. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Governance and Community Self-Help Activities

  • To date, the project formed 126 new mahalla committees in the south of Tajikistan and provided on-going support to another 110 existing mahalla committees.
  • Established 179 Community Based Saving Groups in Khatlon and GBAO, with a total of 2,934 members, 94 percent of whom are women. To date, the group have saved reported TJS 1,290,925 ($126,561)

Agriculture and Economic Activities

  • Established 120 producer groups to improve agricultural technologies and infrastructure, and promote management practices
  • Established 3 common interest groups to implement economies of scale in production, marketing, and sales. Two of the groups in GBAO received co-investment support to improve income generation, production, and business acumen.
  • Established 10 seasonal tomato greenhouses and  four potato demonstration plots in Khatlon

Investment Activities

  • 31 prospective entrepreneurs completed entrepreneurship training, and 22 businesses completed business acceleration stages in Khatlon and GBAO. Four businesses received innovation capital from the project funds.

Health Activities

  • Established 43 new community-based health financing in Khatlon and GBAO, bringing the total number to 269 Community Based Saving Groups. It has a total of 83,518 members, who saved TJS 2,716,652 ($266,338) to support families in need of emergency funds for health treatment.

Education Activities

  • Established 41student councils and 51 early childhood development support groups in Khatlon and GBAO.

PROGRAM DURATION

October 2018 - September 2023

IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATIONS

Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Accelerate Prosperity, University of Central Asia, Aga Khan Health Services, Pamir Energy, and Branch Republican Institute for Professional Development in Education

PROGRAM AREA

Khatlon districts: Nosiri Khisrav, Shahritus, Qubodiyon, Dusti, Jayhun, Panj, Farkhor, Hamadoni, Shamsiddin Shohin

GBAO districts: Darvoz, Vanj, Rushon, Shughnon, Roshtqala, Ishkashim, Murghob

CONTACTS

Tojiddin Najmedinov

Project Management Specialist

USAID/Tajikistan

E-mail: tnajmedinov@usaid.gov