In a powerful testament to inclusive development and economic empowerment, UNFPA Iran, in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) and the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare (MCLSW), supported a wide-reaching vocational and entrepreneurship training programme throughout 2024. The initiative targeted the people living in vulnerable situations in the country —female heads of household (FHHs), women with disabilities, and unemployed youth—in three provinces: Kerman, Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad, and West Azerbaijan.
As a result of this initiative, a total of 1,340 FHHs, 203 young people, and 135 people with disability benefited from vocational and entrepreneurship skills. Participants gained hands-on experience in locally relevant vocational areas along with the skills, which not only prepared women for income generation but also restored dignity, confidence, and independence in communities where opportunities can often be limited. “Before the training, I didn’t know where to begin. Now, I know how to turn my skills into a business. I’ve already started designing pieces for local customers,” said Zahra, one participant from Kerman.
The project also exemplifies a model of collaboration between the Government, the private sector, and communities. UNFPA convened a key partnership between Digikala, the leading marketing platform in the country, and the State Welfare Organization in Yasuj, to enable female heads of households and women with disabilities to sell their products online and generate income for livelihoods. This was done through the establishment of a digital hub in Yasuj, where women and women with disabilities took part in various online ICT trainings.
A vital element of the initiative was its investment in training the trainers. Local instructors received targeted support to strengthen their capacity in guiding and mentoring future learners, ensuring that the benefits of the programme will endure and expand within their communities.
One participant, Massoumeh, who took part in the Chilla Weaving class in Khoy, reflected on the impact of the training:
“The training was of excellent quality and taught in a clear and understandable way. The lessons were easy to implement on the carpet loom. I’m now applying what I learned and am busy weaving carpets,” she shared.
Stories like Massoumeh’s bring to life the power of vocational training to transform not only livelihoods but also outlooks. The programme is a reminder that economic empowerment goes hand-in-hand with dignity, hope, and agency.
