In Tajikistan, Pamir Eco-Cultural Tourism Association was established in 2008 with the support of the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, a project of the Aga Khan Foundation. It aims to help alleviate poverty in a way that is not only effective, but also sustainable. It is doing this by promoting the region as a new tourism destination. It is also supporting local people in the remote mountain villages of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region by helping them develop skill sets that are building the tourism sector.