The story of the Mangyt village, where both women and men became champions of good changes

At the forefront of this movement is Muktaraly, a true champion of change.

Muktaraly is one of the first members of the Yntymak self-help group, a local initiative aimed at empowering women and creating jobs. The group members, consisting mainly of women and local youth, underwent training and gained the necessary knowledge, which fostered a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Muktaraly, along with his wife of nearly 40 years, seized this opportunity for growth and became a key driver behind the group's successes. Their efforts have led to several income-generating activities, including a sewing workshop, the production of biohumus, and the cultivation of potatoes and fruit trees. These projects have made a tangible difference, particularly with biohumus production, which has significantly increased their family's income.

"When we harvested our first crop of potatoes using biohumus, the taste was remarkable," Muktaraly explains. "That year, we produced one ton of potatoes from 100 kg of seeds, compared to our previous maximum of 700 kg. Having lived here my whole life, I could really taste the difference. We also donated 500 kg to vulnerable families in our village."

The impact of the Yntymak group extended beyond local improvements; it fostered strong connections with neighboring communities in Uzbekistan. The group established partnerships with villages in the Namangan and Andijan regions, promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation in agriculture.

"Our relationships with our partners in Uzbekistan have strengthened," Muktaraly shares. "Through this project, we visited border villages and got to know one another."

This cross-border cooperation has contributed to the introduction of improved apricot varieties and other agricultural innovations in the village of Mangyt, benefiting both Kyrgyz and Uzbek farmers.

The project initiative has also led to noticeable changes in the gender dynamics of the community.

Local men have begun to recognize and appreciate the contributions of women to economic growth, resulting in increased support and shared responsibilities at home. Discussions and training on family life have further enhanced understanding among family members in Mangyt.

As Muktaraly points out, "Supporting women and working together helps us overcome challenges and achieve success. I’ve learned that when men and women collaborate, they develop respect for each other's contributions. True success in business and family life comes from shared responsibilities and cooperation, which helps break stereotypes about women."

Muktaraly's wife opened a sewing workshop that has thrived, generating approximately 20,000 KGS ($234) per month from sales of kitchen essentials like "surpa" (fabrics for rolling out dough). This success has inspired other women to pursue sewing, contributing to the economic growth of their households and the village.

Villagers refer to Muktaraly as a pioneer of change: "Change is possible when people unite for a common goal. Our commitment to the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities has contributed to the progress, and my belief in cooperation empowers every man and woman in Mangyt to be modern champions of positive change."

The achievements of the Yntymak self-help group, guided by open-minded leaders like the Muktaraly, showcase the power of community initiatives. Through cross-border cooperation and sustainable practices, residents have not only improved their livelihoods and strengthened family relationships, but also contributed to a more equitable and prosperous future for their communities and two countries.

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Initiated with the aim of strengthening partnership and cooperation between neighboring countries, the "Joint Prosperity through Cooperation in the Border Regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan" project, supported by FAO and UNFPA and funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, has been implemented over 2.5 years by the Foundation for Tolerance International.

45 self-help groups of 340 women and youth living in the border communities of Kyrgyzstan with Uzbekistan were established within the project. The main objective of the groups is to support and empower rural women and youth in these communities to strengthen their socio-economic life in the community. To increase the capacity of these self-help groups, 36 business projects were technically supported.