In Iran, a surge in online platforms has emerged during and after the Covid19 pandemic, but challenges persist in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas to expand economic opportunities for micro and small businesses. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iran collaborates with national and international partners to empower vulnerable groups, like women-headed households and youth, ensuring access to know-how and support services. This is in line with the national plans to move towards a knowledge-based economy which can help bridge the current economic divide between rural and urban communities.   UNDP's partnership with the private sector includes a strong focus on rural development and entrepreneurship, leveraging both digital and traditional marketplaces. Our goal is to identify structural barriers and pilot innovative projects that can be later scaled-up and replicated for impact.    UNDP is proud to be supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Iran while ensuring their revival and strengthening of value chains, building marketing, and branding potential based on the local comparative advantages.   Women play an important role in revitalizing local economies by leveraging their traditional knowledge and engaging in value chain in rural areas. Through UNDP's initiatives, they've grown into leaders of their enterprises, offering decent work opportunities to various groups, including women and youth.     Aylar is an herbal medicine expert from West Azerbaijan and started her business three years ago. She focuses on herbal medicine services and sustainable agricultural production, including organic pesticides and insecticides, benefiting the agricultural sector and Lake Urmia basin's environment.   Through UNDP's digital initiatives, Aylar joined a virtual platform, leading knowledge exchange across agricultural value chains. She credits UNDP's Conservation of Wetland Project for connecting her directly with farmers, allowing her to enhance their knowledge in environmentally friendly practices.   “6, 7 years ago, I learned about UNDP Conservation of Wetland Project (CIWP). Through UNDP’s digital intervention on connecting value chain actors together, I was able to have direct contact with farmers as my potential customers and enhance their knowledge and capacity in using environmentally friendly practices.”     Maryam is a hardworking entrepreneur from Pol-e Dokhtar county in Lorestan province. Her passion lies in harvesting and processing figs and other agricultural crops. With the help of her newly acquired digital marketing skills, she now sells her seasonal-picked products on online platforms, turning her crop processing into a thriving business.   Not content with her success alone, Maryam dreams of creating job opportunities for other women in her community. She learned about UNDP projects through the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, which provided her with valuable insights into fig processing. As a result, Maryam has already created jobs for five other people and continues to expand her network for packaging and marketing. “I hope one day the 4,000 farmers and farm owners from my region can benefit from such initiatives and expand their livelihoods.”     Faezeh is a driven entrepreneur from Hormozgan province. Along with 29 other women, she is part of a village micro-credit fund, equipping a workshop for processing and packaging agricultural products.   Before UNDP's intervention, they worked individually, selling products in bulk without adhering to health standards. However, with UNDP's support, their network and knowledge expanded significantly. They learned the value of collaboration and now work collectively as a family business.   Faezeh's leadership 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 is the dedicated manager of HASHTPAR, a women's cooperative in the Sistan region, committed to fostering alternative livelihoods for local communities. Her journey began in 2019 when she started producing handicrafts.   Through UNDP’s support, Zahra's cooperative has grown significantly. Now, 300 women and young girls from 15 villages benefit from the cooperative, ready to join the local economic chain.   Over the past year, UNDP's intervention has been instrumental in expanding their network and sharing traditional techniques with more women. As a result, they've created numerous job opportunities for the local community. Their hub in Zabol, the first handicraft store in the area.     “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 is a determined entrepreneur from Hormozgan province, managing a rural microfinance fund. Alongside nine other members, they run a tailoring and local clothing business.   Through the cluster of local businesses, Razieh has not only enhanced her entrepreneurship skills but also empowered 170 women in neighboring villages, equipping them with the competitive edge needed to thrive.   “When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the community faced hardships, with families struggling due to a lack of jobs and livelihoods. Family members were even hiding from one another. 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. Although Friday bazars were initially closed due to the pandemic, UNDP's support in enhancing digital literacy enabled us to sell products online. With the re-opening of the Friday bazars, 300 people now directly benefit from job opportunities.”     Haleh is a dynamic entrepreneur hailing from West Azerbaijan province. She passionately provides digital services to rural producers through digital mini hubs. UNDP’s digital intervention allowed her to enhance her digital capacity and access.   As the manager of one of the 12 digital hubs in the region, Haleh supports ten rural businesses across eight diverse product clusters in four villages. These clusters encompass food products and handicrafts, reflecting the rich diversity of her local community.   “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.”   Skills, micro-finance, creating value-chains and streamlined onboarding into new digital marketplaces are key success elements. All our initiatives aim for greener jobs, improving the use of natural resources and reducing waste.   Haleh and her fellow entrepreneurs are shining examples of success in their communities, demonstrating determination and resilience on their journey to success. With a promising future ahead, they aspire to expand their businesses, not only in Iran but also overseas. Motivated and full of potential, they are unstoppable in their pursuit of reaching new heights.   Together with its partners, UNDP Iran is steadfast in its commitment to empowering women and youth through transformative initiatives and projects, contributing to a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

Clad in a vibrant UNICEF blue windbreaker jacket, a WASH team member accompanied by national partners strolls through the refugee settlement. He carefully observes the ongoing reconstruction of the sanitary facilities and engages in discussions about the upcoming essential improvements. Known as Torbat-e Jam Refugee Settlement, this community is situated in Khorasan Razavi province in the northeastern region of Iran. Currently, it provides shelter for an estimated 3,358 refugees in 775 households. This settlement came into existence in the early 1990s, a response to a large influx of refugees to Iran during a period of sociopolitical turmoil in Afghanistan. Over the years, it has served as a safe haven for those seeking refuge. Recently, following the new wave of arrivals of Afghan refugees and migrants into Iran, the settlement once again opened its doors to welcome newly arrived families and children. According to Ali Emami Langeroudi, the UNICEF Iran WASH team member and responsible for construction programmes, Torbat-e Jam Settlement has been sheltering Afghan refugees for over three decades. “However, in the past year alone, the settlement has witnessed an influx of an estimated 1,112 refugees due to the unfolding political events in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that “this sudden 30 per cent increase in the population calls for urgent attention to improve shelter, hygiene and sanitation facilities. Specifically, there is a pressing need for the construction of additional shower rooms and toilets to accommodate the needs of the growing number of residents.” As Ali and the UNICEF team continue their observations, they encounter two Afghan student girls near one of the construction sites, 10-year-old Zahra and her friend Nazanin. The young girls share their struggles of walking long distances to access sanitation facilities. “We would like to have access to the new toilets instead of going to more distant places. Now, it takes us half to one an hour to use the facilities, and then during nighttime visits, the grown-ups have to accompany us,” says Zahra. In order to meet these needs, “UNICEF supported the rebuilding of  146 public toilets,” says Ali. “Also 40 new shower facilities are being built”, he added. At the end of July 2023, all the new facilities were completed and ready for use. Similar endeavours have been supported by UNICEF in Iran in recent months, including the construction of a new water distribution network in Khorasan Jonuobi, new water supply network construction in Sistan and Baluchestan province, execution of the main water feeder line in Niatak refugee settlement, and the construction of water distribution networks in Golestan province. Through these infrastructure improvements, UNICEF ensures that children and their families have reliable access to clean water, a fundamental right for every child. Access to safe water, along with basic sanitation facilities and good hygiene practices, contributes to children’s well-being and provides them with a healthier start in life.

Thanks to a UNICEF-supported programme, 473 vulnerable households with children, including some with disabilities, living in earthquake-hit districts of Khoy, West Azerbaijan province, received cash assistance to help them undertake necessary repairs to their damaged homes. This initiative, which was implemented from March to June 2023, was funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) as part of a collaboration between UNICEF, the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare (MCLSW), and the State Welfare Organization (SWO). All beneficiary households have commenced the construction process by utilising IRR 144 billion cash transfers they received from UNICEF. The progress rate of each structure ranges from 30 per cent to 90 per cent, demonstrating that they are on track for completion before the onset of the fall season. Local SWO officials played a crucial role in facilitating and monitoring the cash assistance transfer, ensuring that the targeted households received the required support in an integrated process. Through field visits, UNICEF and SWO ensure that the expenditures align with the agreed-upon plan. They will use this monitoring capacity to assess and report the impact of cash transfers on the well-being of children as well as vulnerable households. UNICEF has supported families and children affected by the Khoy earthquake in different areas, including health and nutrition, WASH and hygiene, child protection as well as child welfare. On the night of 28 January 2023, an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit Khoy in northwest Iran. The disaster affected at least 261,000 people and displaced an estimated 130,000 from their homes in sub-zero temperatures.

Since launching in 2021, the UNESCO Afghan Teacher Training Programme has made significant progress in fostering a brighter future for displaced Afghan teachers and students. Supported by the Government of Japan and UNICEF Iran, and in collaboration with the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO and the Universities of Tehran, and Kharazmi, this initiative is equipping Afghan refugee teachers in the Islamic Republic of Iran with the necessary tools and skills to provide quality education amidst challenging circumstances. Shaping a brighter future for refugee Afghan teachers and learners With the completion of its first phase in 2022, and upcoming phases in 2023, the programme has enabled approximately 500 Afghan women refugee teachers in Iran to receive recognized training and certification. The goal is to support Afghan women with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver quality learning for the displaced Afghan children living in Iran and to ensure that their education continues until they can return to formal schooling. The teachers are also trained to provide psychosocial support to these out-of-school and crisis-affected children, helping them to overcome the challenges of displacement and adapting to a new environment.   The underlying vision of the project is to share the latest teaching methods with these displaced or not displaced teachers, enabling them to teach effectively in their host countries. Recognizing that teachers are not mere conveyors of knowledge but also role models, the programme strives to also provide them with the required training to inspire and empower their students. The quality education and support provided by these trained teachers will indirectly benefit approximately 9,000 primary school students in Iran. Sharing skills and knowledge gained by teacher beneficiaries One of the programme's participants, Ms Sokhan, a former chemistry teacher and school principal in Afghanistan, expressed her gratitude during a phone call to UNESCO Tehran. “Thanks to the training, I regained a sense of purpose and I have the ability to cope with the challenges I face as an Afghan refugee,” she said. Ms Sokhan emphasized that the most valuable aspect of the initiative was the opportunity for teachers to share their experiences and knowledge gained throughout their years of teaching. She also really appreciated the teacher’s active engagement with participants, sharing with them the practical lessons from their extensive experience in the field of education. Reflecting on the impact of the programme, Ms Alami, who participated in the first phase last year, emphasized the importance of mental health education. “The training programme allowed me to grasp the importance of addressing psychological well-being in the classroom,” she said. Armed with this new knowledge, Ms Alami was able to establish deeper connections with her students and provide more effective support to those affected by displacement, both physically and mentally. Vision for the future A core aspect of the programme is to empower teachers and gradually transform them into advocates for improved teaching methods. Follow-up courses are planned to focus on vital areas such as mental health, social-emotional learning, psychological support, and overall well-being. Trained teachers will play a pivotal role in educating out-of-school children while also serving as local facilitators within the refugee community. With their close ties with the community and their advanced education, these teachers will become invaluable resources for addressing the diverse needs of their communities.