Stitching Dreams: Roghayeh's Tale of Revival in Yulqonlu

Once a village vibrant with greenery and bustling farms, Yulqonlu in East Azerbaijan had perished to the harsh realities of drought and economic hardship. Its residents faced a daily struggle for survival, with men leaving in search of work and women turning to carpet weaving. In this landscape where optimism was waning, Roghayeh became a figure of strength and renewal.

At 38, Roghayeh was the anchor of her seven-member family, balancing the care of livestock with the dream of providing a better future for her siblings. Her days were long, filled with hard work and the heavy weight of unrealized dreams. She longed for a small but stable income to support her aging parents and give her sisters the chance at education and marriage that she never had. Despite her talents in sewing, learned from her mother, Roghayeh's aspirations seemed just out of reach.

Our arrival in Yulqonlu marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Roghayeh but for the entire village. Motivated by Roghayeh's story, a plan was introduced to transform lives through skills and determination, independent of the unpredictable elements. A training was proposed in sewing, rug weaving, and greenhouse farming, tapping into the latent potential of the village's women.

Roghayeh, drawn to sewing, soon became the heart of a burgeoning workshop in the village's old school. Her natural talent, refined by her mother's teachings, brought new life to forgotten fabrics, turning them into beautiful garments. Together with her friends, Roghayeh started to make clothes for the village and beyond, sometimes even for free, driven by a desire to give back to her community.

Their workshop became a symbol of hope and empowerment. Roghayeh and her friends ventured into the city, showcasing their work with pride, dreaming of expanding their venture. Their belief in the power of their hands and collective effort was solid.

Now, as we recount Roghayeh's journey, it is clear that Yulqonlu is witnessing a revival. The village that once seemed condemned to oblivion is thriving, with Roghayeh and her companion preparing orders for factory workers and celebrating personal milestones. Roghayeh's sisters, too, are on the brink of new beginnings, with weddings to plan and university courses to attend.

Roghayeh's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of community and skill. It's a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, hope can flourish, dreams can be realized, and lives can be profoundly changed.

Launched in 2005, the Conservation of the Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) has been instrumental in safeguarding Iran’s target wetlands through an ecosystem-based management approach. Initially funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) from 2005 to 2014, the project has since evolved, with UNDP and the Department of Environment (DoE) placing greater emphasis on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation by fostering community participation in wetland management. This long-standing collaboration has been made possible through the continued generosity of the People and Government of Japan over the past decade (2014-2024). Building on this support, in December 2024, UNDP welcomed a new contribution from Japan to further enhance wetland management and climate resilience in Iran.