Informal workers' association, the case of solidary producers’ groups in Kyrgyz Republic

Income generating activities of rural women are usually interlinked with the informal economy. As such, it is recommended to include in the adopted approach, elements of association building, self-help mechanisms and supporting economies of scale.

A typical approach consists in associations formed around common purchase/sales operations. Common purchase and sales operations increase the volume of traded goods, which facilitates better financial conditions. They also facilitate the coordination of group members and represent a step towards further cooperation in other aspects of production and representation.

Within the framework of the project “Women in Action and Solidarity against Poverty” implemented in Kyrgyz Republic, the approach consisted in the creation of a group of solidary producers (GSP) as part of Regional Service Networks in two pilot districts.

This approach, inspired by the Italian experience of groups of solidary purchase and adapted to the Kyrgyz context, consisted in establishing groups of solidary producers based on common values and common interests of their members. Once established, the groups engaged in dialogue with producers of equipment and materials, as well as with the distributors of final products, achieving better transaction conditions through joint purchasing and joint selling of their production.

Moreover, the organization of informal worker in recognized cluster such as solidary groups, also foster the power of representation at the institutional and political level, ensuring a better protection of their rights.

More detailed information on this good practice is available at the page 36 of the volume 4.3 “Good Practices and Lessons Learned – Case studies of 15 EC-funded projects”

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