Ruhangiz Rahimova, a resident of Sheki city, is a weaver. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Labor and Fine Arts at the Sheki Pedagogical College. For ten years, she has been working as an educator in a kindergarten:

“My interest in handicrafts began in childhood. My favorite subject in school was labor class. I always received ‘excellent’ grades in this subject. Labor class taught me my favorite profession in life – weaving.”

While studying at the Sheki Pedagogical College, Ruhangiz Rahimova’s handmade woven products were displayed at many exhibitions. However, at that time, she only created these products for herself and her family:

“My handicrafts mainly consist of dolls and eco-friendly toys of various sizes. Later, I thought about selling them. Seeing the demand, I applied to the ‘ABAD’ public legal entity. In response to my application, they informed me about a new project in our region. They explained that the project included training in various fields, including enhancing entrepreneurial skills, and offered many advantages during the training. I eagerly joined. The project lasted for three years, and it was exactly as they described.”

Thus, in 2017, through the joint “Support for the Development of Small Family Businesses in the Sheki-Zagatala Economic Zone via the Balakan Regional ABAD Center” project by “ABAD,” the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union, the initiative was launched. From the mentioned region, 44 families were selected, with 66% involved in handicraft production and 34% engaged in food production.

Thirteen training sessions were held for the selected families and “ABAD” staff to enhance their knowledge and skills. As a result of the training, participants gained knowledge in areas such as small and medium business development, product certification and monitoring, packaging and logistics, branding and sales, international trade for small and medium-sized businesses, international communication, anti-corruption measures, integrity, and gender equality.

To enable the production of market-demand-oriented products, the selected families were provided with small-scale equipment and production tools within the project’s framework.

Ruhangiz Rahimova was among the selected participants.

“For over a year now, through ‘ABAD,’ the wider sale of my handicrafts has been organized. In the future, I want to create other types of handicrafts and engage in this work on a larger scale.”

It should be noted that, within the framework of the “Support for the Development of Small Family Businesses in the Sheki-Zagatala Economic Zone via the Balakan Regional ABAD Center” project by “ABAD,” UNDP, and the EU, the products of 44 “ABAD” artisans are sold at “ABAD” ethno-boutiques and grocery stores.