25th anniversary of the BPN Foundation

Welcome to the 25th anniversary of the BPN (Business Professionals Network) Foundation!

Our journey began in Kyrgyzstan in 1999 with the aim of promoting entrepreneurial thinking and action. Our success is based on supporting people and their business ideas through business education, coaching, an extensive network and access to finance. Discover how BPN promotes entrepreneurship and enables sustainable economic progress. Celebrate with us and discover the many facets of our commitment.

Voices on the anniversary

The BPN Foundation has developed considerably over the last 25 years - time to take a look back...

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Willi Helbling

CEO FOUNDATION BPN

Over the past 25 years, BPN has developed into a foundation that can look back with pride on its dynamic development. Our journey has been characterized by continuous learning and development. We have made it our mission to adapt our seminars to changing needs and local circumstances by regularly optimizing and updating our training materials. This flexibility has allowed us to gain extensive experience and to test and perfect our programs for effectiveness.

We will continue on this path in the future by remaining agile and constantly questioning ourselves. It is invaluable to be able to draw on so much experience to continue to promote sustainable and effective change in the world of business development.

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Martin Wipfli

PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION BOARD

Our journey began in Kyrgyzstan in 1999. The beginning was characterized by a spirit of optimism, enthusiasm, successes, incredible encounters and sometimes sadness. Our experiences and memories tell us that we have established ourselves as an appreciative and valued institution in Kyrgyzstan over the years. We have been there for many entrepreneurs and families, contributed to their success and created many jobs.

During our time in Kyrgyzstan, we also experienced the effects of the global financial market crisis in 2008, violent unrest occurred in the south of Kyrgyzstan in 2010 and the Covid pandemic also hit Kyrgyzstan. The tasks we had to solve were often challenging, human destinies affected us and yet we always took heart from every setback and emerged stronger from every crisis. We are proud of what we have achieved in Kyrgyzstan.

We have made many friends and can now rely on a diverse knowledge and network that supports us. For us, 25 years in Kyrgyzstan means that we have come to stay in a wonderful country with wonderful people and a healthy courage for entrepreneurship.

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Thomas Lauwiner

COUNTRY DIRECTOR KYRGYZSTAN

For 25 years, BPN has been helping to reduce poverty in Kyrgyzstan by supporting small businesses. By training and promoting entrepreneurs, we help to create sustainable jobs and strengthen economic independence. By imparting business knowledge and embedding ethical values, we help to ensure that these companies are successful in the long term and thus have a lasting positive impact on the economic and social structures in their environment.

We remain committed to promoting economic and social development in Kyrgyzstan and the other BPN countries (Nicaragua, Mongolia, Rwanda, Georgia) through the targeted promotion of entrepreneurship and the sustainable fight against poverty.

Osh fundraising campaign

The year 2023 brought new challenges for our location in Osh. Now we need your help to continue our mission of promoting business. With exciting plans for 2024, from strengthening our team to improving our online presence, we're ready to do great things. Find out what your donation is doing in Osh...

Online donation form for Osh

Wire transfer

One-time or regular donations in any amount. The donation receipt is issued in February of the following year.

Transferring a donation by IBAN / bank transfer (QR code) incurs the lowest transaction costs for us. We recommend this method of transfer so that we can use your donation as efficiently as possible.

Donations in CHF

Transfer donations to the BPN Foundation account:
CH71 0026 0260 3618 5001 L

Direct QR deposit slip scan or download:

Donations (EUR) from Italy

Donations from Italy should be transferred to the following account of the association Xpand Südtirol (will be forwarded directly to BPN):
Recipient: Xpand Südtirol | Mühlgasse 5 | I-39100 Bozen
IBAN: IT98 F081 8358 4400 0030 3214 192 | Swift Code: RZSBIT21327

Andrea Jansen

Media entrepreneur

"Thanks to BPN's training programs, people become entrepreneurs and can take their future into their own hands. For me, this is sustainable and meaningful help for self-help."

Donate directly online

Epayment

Special activities in the anniversary year

Installation of solar roof on BPN building in Bishkek

Fall 2024

Technical details 

System area: 47 m² with 24 PV modules
Maximum output: 10 kWp
Expected annual output: 14,700 kWh
Annual consumption of the building: 13,600 kWh (2022)
Project costs: The realization is already secured by a generous donation from long-standing BPN supporters. Thank you very much! 

With over 2500 hours of sunshine per year, Bishkek is an ideal location for renewable energy sources. The plant serves as a vibrant educational project for our entrepreneurs and the community to learn more about renewable energy. The installation and maintenance of the plant creates local job opportunities and promotes the transfer of know-how. 

The 25th anniversary of BPN and BPN Kyrgyzstan should also be a milestone that builds a bridge to the future. What could be better suited to this occasion than an investment that will shape the next 25 years? 

Anniversary trip and celebration

June 22-29, 2024

Another fascinating BPN trip to Kyrgyzstan, where we will be celebrating BPN's 25th anniversary on site, is coming up. We are looking forward to your active participation and cannot wait to visit the fascinating world of our work on site together with you. A travel report will follow after the trip and celebrations.

Facts & Figures

Since the start of the program in 1999, we have achieved the following successes across all 5 countries:

Figures refer to all BPN partner countries since inception.

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Workshops & Seminars held
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supported entrepreneurs
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supported jobs

What BPN can do: Nurlan, dental laboratory

Nurlan runs a dental laboratory in Kyrgyzstan. The committed entrepreneur has been in the BPN program since 2014 and has not missed a single BPN seminar in the first 5 years. Now it is time for the company to move to larger premises. Find out more in the video:

Impressions from 25 years of BPN

The BPN Foundation began its activities in Kyrgyzstan 25 years ago - some impressions from the first BPN country:

Ainura runs a guest house in the south of Kyrgyzstan

Promote entrepreneurship in Osh - your donation works!

Your support is needed now more than ever. With our ambitious goals for 2024, we are doing everything we can to support as many entrepreneurs as possible in Osh.

Klara runs an education center in Osh.

Promote entrepreneurship in Osh - your donation works!

Your support is needed now more than ever. With our ambitious goals for 2024, we are doing everything we can to support as many entrepreneurs as possible in Osh.