OUR MISSION
Empower women in rural Iran with knowledge, resources, and support to achieve their financial and personal aspirations. We are dedicated to uplifting and empowering female entrepreneurs in Iran’’s rural regions.
By providing capital, personalized business guidance, and mentorship connections, we enable Iranian women to unlock their potential and make meaningful contributions to the socioeconomic progress of their communities.
Six women, six stories.
Aylar
a herbal expert from West Azerbaijan who started her business three years ago and focuses on herbal medicine services and sustainable agricultural production.UNDP's digital initiatives
“About 6 or 7 years ago, I came across UNDP’s Wetland Conservation Project (CIWP). With UNDP’s digital initiative connecting various value chain participants, I could directly interact with farmers, who were my potential customers, and bolster their expertise in adopting environmentally sustainable practices.”
Maryam
From Pol-e Dokhtar, Lorestan, she turns her passion for harvesting and processing figs into a thriving online business with newly acquired digital marketing skills.Dreams of creating job opportunities
I hope one day the 4,000 farmers and farm owners from my region can benefit from such initiatives and expand their livelihoods.
Faezeh
A determined entrepreneur from Hormozgan province who is part of a village micro-credit fund running a workshop for processing and packaging agricultural products.leadership that extends to managing the rural micro-credit fund
With a population of 5,000 inhabitants, 3,000 people are directly or indirectly benefitting from this initiative. Through unity and determination, we are making a positive impact in our community.
Zahra
The dedicated manager of HASHTPAR, a women's cooperative in the Sistan region committed to fostering alternative livelihoods for local communities.Ready to join the local economic chain
I take pride in directly providing jobs for 300 women, most of whom are youth. The establishment the store allowed us to reach more customers nationally and internationally.
Razieh
a determined entrepreneur from Hormozgan province, managing a rural micro-finance fund which powers a tailoring and local clothing business.Cluster of local businesses
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the community faced hardships, with families struggling due to a lack of jobs and livelihoods. This is when UNDP stepped in, providing essential tailoring equipment to help sew masks and health packages. These vital supplies were distributed among locals, aiding in reducing COVID cases and protecting the community while providing job opportunities for the local community. Access to more equipment resulted in increased production, allowing our business to cater to more clients.
Haleh
a dynamic entrepreneur hailing from West Azerbaijan province who passionately provides digital services to rural producers through digital mini hubs.supporting ten rural businesses
Through the establishment of the digital hubs, 300 local producers have benefited from digital capacity development training, building their skills and confidence in the digital landscape. These hubs serve as vital connecting points where local producers package, market, and post their products to Digikala dispatch centers. Impressively, almost half of the trained local producers have registered their products on the digital platform, with women representing nearly 70% of them.
Stories in creation!
Our Ongoing Journey
Pioneering Initiatives
To showcase the potential of our vision, we have embarked on pilot projects with two
remarkable women who epitomize entrepreneurial spirit. One woman, Based in Malayer
(Hamedan Hamadan province), who handcrafts and sells clothing. She, aspersing to expand her
venture with a dedicated workspace and additional staff. The other, hailing from Zabol (Sistan
and Baluchestan province), operates a spice factory and seeks to secure the esteemed vital Sib-
e Salamat label from Iran’s Food and Drug Administration. She envisions a broader
market presence and the creation of an online presence for her business.
