On May 12, 2011 the social enterprise, established by the International Charity Social Association of Afghan Refugees “Afghan Community”, will be officially opened.
The opening ceremony will take place on 10.45 a.m. on 22 Platonova str., room 201, city of Minsk.
The International Charity Social Association of Afghan Refugees “Afghan Community” has organised a sewing workshop that will provide employment initially to 10 refugees and socially vulnerable categories of citizens from among the local population. The enterprise will produce table and bed linen, utilizing available skills of refugees. Refugee women, who are the most disadvantaged in terms of access to employment, will be provided with a real opportunity to become self-sufficient members of the receiving society. Joint work and interaction between refugees and local citizens will contribute to social and cultural integration of refugees in Belarus.
The conditions for the establishment of this enterprise on the part of donors have been to provide jobs for refugees living in the Republic of Belarus and Belarusian citizens. Part of the profit earned by the social enterprise will be used for the development of the business and part for social activities. The International Charity Social Association of Afghan Refugees “Afghan Community” will support the functioning of the Women’s Club, including organising of social, educational and cultural events that will benefit refugees as well as members of the Club from among the local population.
UNHCR has provided equipment and working capital for running the sewing workshop for the first four months of operation. The social enterprise has been created in the framework of the international technical assistance project “Local Integration of Refugees in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. Phase I”, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNHCR in close cooperation with national governmental and non-governmental organizations. The overall objective of this international project is to support the Governments of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine to implement their obligations undertaken under the 1951 Convention by strengthening their international protection capacities and improving the integration prospects of refugees in all three countries.
For any other additional information, please, contact Ms. Tatiana Selivanova, Associate Programme Officer of the UNHCR Office in the Republic of Belarus, tel. (017) 328 69 61 or Mr. Safi Sajfurakhman, Chairperson of the International Charity Social Association of Afghan Refugees “Afghan Community”, tel. (029) 365 47 77.
