21/02/2025
In the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where rugged peaks define the landscape, and daily life presents its own set of challenges, Aida Musaeva is leading a revolution in financial empowerment for her village, Karavan, in the Batken Region in south-western Kyrgyzstan. Her initiative,
Bereke Sandyk, means ‘prosperous savings box’ is more than just a financial tool. It is a testament to the power of collective action with a common goal.
This simple yet powerful tool serves as a way to pool resources, ensuring that collective savings can be used to support both individual and community needs. With 19 members contributing weekly amounts ranging from 200 to 1,000 Kyrgyz soms (KGS) the initiative is pooling together savings and a social fund, which covers community costs. Most of the initiative’s members are mountain farmers who relied on loans to buy seedlings and develop their own plots of land, creating a foundation for sustainable livelihoods. By providing financial support,
Bereke Sandyk alleviates the need for these loans and enables farmers to make more conscious decisions about which crops to grow, strengthening local food security.
Each year, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) organizes the “
GROW - Agrobiodiversity in a Changing Climate: Sustainable production, fragile ecosystems, and resilience to global changes” training programme. For the past four editions, MPS has also hosted a contest on innovation, showcasing how creative solutions can strengthen resilience in mountain communities. Aida, with the
Bereke Sandyk initiative is the winner of the 2024 GROW.
At the heart of Bereke Sandyk lies shared prosperity. Members are not only saving money—they are also gaining financial literacy and the ability to make informed farming decisions. Bereke Sandyk enables farmers to invest in their land, and transition toward a more sustainable, farm-to-table production. The shift not only strengthens local food security but also reduces reliance on external markets. While some members hope to open small businesses for their children, the overarching goal is to create self-sustaining communities where people can thrive without needing to migrate in search of economic stability.
Aida and Bereke Sandyk faced initial hurdles, including skepticism about savings groups and sustaining engagement. Yet, Aida’s unwavering commitment has built trust, proving that community-driven financial solutions can transform lives. Looking ahead, Aida envisions expanding Bereke Sandyk to reach more villages in the region. Winning the GROW award has provided visibility and legitimacy to her initiative, which in turn, can attract partnerships and resources to amplify the initiative’s impact.
Aida's dedication and passion for her community have paved the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for them all.
The 2024 GROW training programme successfully concluded on 22 November, bringing together 29 participants from 18 countries to explore the role of biodiversity in enhancing resilience in mountain farming systems. The 2024 edition featured new case studies on sustainable natural resource management and supply chain accountability. The hands-on training empowered changemakers like Aida to turn knowledge into action, ensuring that local solutions remain at the heart of sustainable development.
Building on the success of past GROW editions, the 2025 training course will highlight the ingenuity of changemakers working to make mountain regions more self-sufficient and sustainable.
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