Strengthening Women’s Economic Empowerment: Assessment of the Sabirabad Women’s Resource Center

In collaboration with UNDP Azerbaijan, GALANTE PARTNERS CONSULTING (formerly led by Ilaha Amirbekova at PwC Azerbaijan) conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in Sabirabad—the first center established under the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus” project. The goal was to evaluate the WRC’s organizational capacity, sustainability, and impact on women entrepreneurs, while also identifying opportunities for private sector collaboration.

Project Scope & Findings

The assessment, conducted between September and October 2019, focused on: Governance & Financial Management: Evaluating leadership capacity, operational systems, and financial sustainability. Capacity Development: Identifying skill gaps in financial literacy, business management, and leadership. Private Sector Linkages: Exploring collaboration opportunities between WRC entrepreneurs and large companies in Azerbaijan.

Key Contributions & Impact

• Strengthening the WRC’s Role – The assessment provided strategic recommendations on how the Sabirabad WRC could mentor and support other WRCs in Gusar and Baku-Khazar.

• Targeted Training Programs – Coordinators received training in financial management, business strategy, and leadership, equipping them to better serve women entrepreneurs.

• Scaling Good Practices – Best practices from Sabirabad were applied to newly established WRCs, amplifying the project’s reach and impact.

• Private Sector Engagement – The initiative helped forge connections between women entrepreneurs and large businesses, increasing their market opportunities.

Long-Term Vision

By strengthening WRCs at the institutional, organizational, and individual levels, the project contributed to enhancing women’s economic participation and fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. The lessons learned from Sabirabad continue to inform strategies for empowering women across the region.