New Project: Digital Development Pilot Programme for SMEs in Tajikistan

Project Objective:

To enhance the digital readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tajikistan, foster their digital development, and strengthen their capacity to make data-driven decisions for business growth.

Key Activities and Implementation:

As part of the project, the digital readiness of businesses will be assessed, and approximately 15 SMEs will be selected to participate in a pilot programme.

The companies will take part in two in-person practical workshops in Tajikistan and receive individual advisory support to assess their core business processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and plan the next steps in their digitalisation journey.

Through training and consultations, the participating companies will strengthen their ability to identify priority areas for development and prepare a practical 90-day action plan for their next digitalisation steps.

Two SMEs from among the participating companies will be selected to implement practical digital development pilot projects using a “test-before-invest” approach and will receive in-depth advisory support. At the end of the project, the results of the pilot projects will be evaluated and recommendations will be developed for the further application and scaling of the approach.

Key Activities and Implementation:

Digital Readiness and Needs Assessment

• In cooperation with project partners, a structured business survey will be used to assess companies’ digital readiness, current challenges, and development needs.

• The partners will compile and analyse the collected data and prepare a summary of the companies’ current situation and key needs.

• Based on the assessment results, priority topics for subsequent project activities will be identified.

  
  

SME Participation in the Programme

• Approximately 15 SMEs will participate in the programme.

• The companies will receive targeted support and training to strengthen their ability to independently assess their business processes, identify development priorities, and plan their next digitalisation steps.

  
  

In-Person Practical Workshops in Tajikistan

• Two in-person practical workshops will be organised, with the content tailored to the needs identified through the business survey.

• Participating companies will strengthen their knowledge and practical skills in assessing core business processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and planning digitalisation activities.

• As a result of the workshops, the companies will be able to develop their own 90-day action plans for improving business processes and advancing digitalisation.

  
  

Implementation of Digital Development Pilot Projects

• Two SMEs from among the participating companies will be selected to implement practical pilot projects.

• Each company will implement one specific digital solution aimed at improving a business process and will receive in-depth advisory support throughout the process.

  
  

Consolidation of Results and Recommendations for Further Development

• Key lessons learned and practical experience from the pilot projects will be compiled.

• Recommendations will be developed for the further application and scaling of the approach.

  
  

Project Partners:Latvian IT Cluster

Partner in Tajikistan: Agency for Development of Rural Communities (PO ADRC)

Project Funding: EUR 79,620.00

Project Implementation Period: 25 May 2026 – 22 November 2026