Published
02/16/2026, 15:16Kyrgyzstan has started accepting applications for participation in the fifth anniversary season of the Women in Business mentoring program. Participation is free of charge, and female entrepreneurs will develop their businesses together with experienced mentors over a period of seven months.
The program is implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in partnership with FINCA Bank and aims to support female entrepreneurship and strengthen the role of women leaders in the country's economy.
The fifth season will be exclusive. FINCA Bank beneficiaries — women who own or manage a business and cooperate with the bank on a credit line — will be able to participate. Women entrepreneurs with at least two years of experience in running a small or medium-sized business can also apply.
Over the course of seven months, participants will work in pairs with mentors to develop and strengthen their companies.
Experienced entrepreneurs who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise free of charge will serve as mentors. Applications are open for both mentors and mentees. The application form can be completed until March 2, 2026.
The program includes online and offline training sessions, cross-mentoring sessions, business breakfasts, excursions to large manufacturing enterprises, and monitoring visits. Participants will be able to develop their business and financial management skills and expand their business networks.
The mentoring program has been implemented in Kyrgyzstan since 2019 as part of the EBRD's Women in Business non-financial services credit line with the support of international partners.
During the project, participants created more than 320 new jobs. Last season, 60% of women entrepreneurs entered new markets, 66% increased their profits, 86% increased brand awareness, and all participants noted personal growth.
