35 Armenian social enterprises received financial support in the amount of 186 million AMD from the EU-Supported COVID-19 Relief Fund. The funds received by social businesses will be used to overcome the economic consequences of the coronavirus. On September 11, the official grant award ceremony took place at Impact Hub Yerevan, during which the supported enterprises presented their products and services within the framework of the exhibition.
The event was also attended by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, who said, “I have great respect for all social enterprises here who are doing a great job. I see how much creativity and flexibility they have. Social enterprises and NGOs are much more flexible [than government bodies], they are more efficient, and they work faster.”
The EU-Supported COVID-19 Relief Fund was launched by Impact Hub Yerevan as part of the “Collaborate For Impact – Development of Social Entrepreneurship and Social Investments Towards Economic and Social Cohesion in the Eastern Partnership” regional project. As a result of the competition, various business initiatives operating in all regions of Armenia were selected, the unifier of which is the social component of the activity.
After the welcoming speeches, the founders of the companies that received the grant were given certificates symbolizing the received financial support.
The target of the program is social entrepreneurship. By providing support to the socially-oriented business community, the program not only supports regional small and medium-sized businesses but also provides stability to the social problem-solving processes undertaken by the founders of those enterprises.
One of the main goals of creating social enterprises is the financial independence of social initiatives. However, this emerging sector in Armenia continues to depend on the support of international donors, which carries risks in terms of both economic and social impact. The measures envisaged by the program are also aimed at solving this problem.
“We believe that social enterprises working only with grants cannot have a sustainable business and consequently cannot have a significant social impact. That is why there are plans to implement capacity-building processes of local social businesses in the next stages of the program, giving them the opportunity to attract investments and ensure their financial independence and stability,” said Ani Baboomian, Executive Director of Impact Hub Yerevan.
Emphasizing the importance of working with investors and realizing the specifics of the sector, the program will also create a social entrepreneurship development investment fund, creating an infrastructure that will stimulate investment flows in this sector and become a link between social business and potential investors.
Below we welcome you to get acquainted with the 35 grantees and their innovative social enterprises!
MIASSINE FOUNDATION
Gyumri, Shirak Marz
֏ 6,056,746 | € 10,607
Mission: supporting young people of vulnerable groups of the Gyumri community in their specialty through apprenticeship and employment
GWOOG LLC
Gyumri, Shirak Marz
֏ 5,532,500 | € 9,689
Mission: developing tourism in Gyumri and promoting local products, supporting the local producers, farmers and dairy product suppliers
CARITAS-AREGAK CHARITY FOUNDATION
Gyumri, Shirak Marz
֏ 3,350,000 | € 5,867
Mission: fostering inclusion, giving new opportunities for young people with disabilities.
NGO CENTER CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT NGO (TUC)
Dsegh, Lori Marz
֏ 5,605,000 | € 9,816
Mission: reducing the dependence on the forest of the local population of Dsegh and adjacent communities through the use of the potential of ecotourism and ecoculturism
S/E RUZANNA DANIELYAN (APRICOT)
Vanadzor, Lori Marz
֏ 5,140,000 | € 9,002
Mission: providing work for persons with disabilities and women living in border zones
VISIT LORI LLC
Shahumyan, Lori Marz
֏ 5,375,000 | € 9,413
Mission: obtaining appropriate education and hiring those residents of the Lori region (Odzun, Tumanyan, Alaverdi communities) who do not have jobs and/or professional education
S/E GAYANE SIMONYAN SURIKI (BEE LIFE)
Spitak, Lori Marz
֏ 5,280,000 | € 9,247
Mission: involving unemployed women through beekeeping and honey production
BERD WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER FOUNDATION
Berd, Tavush Marz
֏ 6,102,600 | € 10,688
Mission: supporting the women of the border community of Berd
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGIES COMMUNITY NGO
Voskepar, Tavush Marz
֏ 5,156,690 | € 9,031
Mission: creating and supporting community-based enterprises through IT
S/E AIDA ATABEKYAN ASHOTI (ARMENECOOP)
Dilijan, Tavush Marz
֏ 5,770,000 | € 10,105
Mission: direct or indirect employment of 20-30 years old unemployed women in the larger community of Dilijan
HATERK FOOD LLC
Koti, Tavush Marz
֏ 5,640,000 | € 9,877
Mission: tackling youth employment in the border village of Koti through beekeeping and promoting the sale of agricultural products
BOHEM ARVESTANOC-TEYARAN LLC
Sevan, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 5,051,000 | € 8,846
Mission: contributing to the improvement of the quality of cultural life in the community of Sevan by promoting cultural talent
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH CENTER NGO (ETIUNI)
Lchashen, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 6,092,000 | € 10,669
Mission: promoting the socio-economic development of Lchashen community of Gegharkunik Marz by popularizing the unique historical/cultural heritage and promoting tourism
ARMENIAN CAMP LANGUAGE AND SAILING SCHOOL CHARITY NGO
Shoghakat, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 5,540,000 | € 9,702
Mission: creating equal conditions for recreation all, including people with different disabilities, supporting the development of the enlarged Shoghakat community
S/E MARGARITA MURADYAN HAYRAPET (STONE SOUP)
Chambarak, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 4,926,500 | € 8,628
Mission: promoting sustainable economic development of the communities of the Getik valley and assisting in the creation of other sustainable enterprises
K-LODGING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Kalavan, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 5,572,000 | € 9,758
Mission: improving the quality of life of the residents of Kalavan and creating opportunities for socio-economic development
GEGHAREG CULTURAL-EDUCATIONAL YOUTH NGO (SARVOR TOURISM)
Gavar, Gegharkunik Marz
֏ 5,250,000 | € 9,194
Mission: increasing stable financial income for vulnerable groups by promoting tourist attractions in Gavar
S/E POGHOS HOVHANNISYAN DAVTI (CHIR'S HOUSE)
Byurakan, Aragatsotn Marz
֏ 6,090,000 | € 10,665
Mission: developing the model of agriculture and agrotourism for the development of Byurakan community
S/E ANAHIT SIMONYAN HRACHYAI (POLITICAL CAFE)
Talin, Aragatsotn Marz
֏ 5,280,000 | € 9,247
Mission: developing youth activism and opportunities for women and girls of the city of Talin and 29 adjacent communities
LUKASHIN AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION CONSUMER COOPERATIVE
Lukashin, Armavir Marz
֏ 4,200,000 | € 7,356
Mission: improving the economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations of the members of the cooperative and the overall community, through entrepreneurship
S/E NARINE MURADYAN RAFIKI (MACHANENTS TUN)
Ejmiatsin, Armavir Marz
֏ 4,040,000 | € 7,075
Mission: offering professional development opportunities to representatives of vulnerable groups
AREVI LLC
Yeghegis, Vayots Dzor Marz
֏ 6,190,000 | € 10,841
Mission: development of Yegeghis community through tourism and multi-layered economic development
S/E IRINA DARBINYAN SASHIKI (TTENUT)
Karahunj, Syunik Marz
֏ 5,650,000 | € 9,895
Mission: developing Karahunj community through tourism and effective collaboration with residents
CHILD DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (ZARMAN TOYS)
Yerevan
֏ 5,732,400 | € 10,039
Mission: producing ecologically clean toys and notebooks, promoting the formation and development of children
ALEPPO COMPATRIOTIC CHARITY NGO
Yerevan
֏ 5,574,200 | € 9,762
Mission: expanding women’s opportunities through employment, ensuring the economic integration of Syrian refugees in Armenia, preserving labor rights in Armenia, as well as socio-economic improvement of vulnerable groups of the population
GIRLS OF ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP SOCCER NGO (GOALS)
Yerevan
֏ 5,884,000 | € 10,305
Mission: developing amateur sports, for all children, regardless of gender, social affiliation, physical and mental abilities
S/E ANUSH ZEINALIAN ASHOTI (OCHRE)
Yerevan
֏ 4,735,500 | € 8,293
Mission: creating new, commercially-oriented, artist-designed and artisan-made organic products with open production data
IMPACT INNOVATIONS INSTITUTE LLC (SAFE YOU)
Yerevan
֏ 4,210,000 | € 7,373
Mission: web platform and mobile application for the protection and prevention of cases of violence against women
SOURCE FOUNDATION
Yerevan
֏ 6,240,000 | € 10,928
Mission: creating new jobs and providing employment for disabled persons and parents of children with disabilities, ensuring the involvement of children with disabilities in social life
S/E NELLI POGHOSYAN YURII
Yerevan
֏ 5,067,000 | € 8,874
Mission: providing jobs for women displaced by war
HDIF TRADING LLC
Yerevan
֏ 6,223,000 | € 10,898
Mission: initiating, facilitating and nurturing sustainable economic opportunities for rural villages, towns, and cities and vulnerable groups, with a particular focus on women
S/E SHOGHER ATANESYAN ARSHAVIRI (ARDOOK)
Yerevan
֏ 6,144,173 | € 10,760
Mission: providing work for mothers of disabled children adapted to their home conditions
S/E VENERA PARONYAN RUBENI (SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS)
Yerevan
֏ 5,100,000 | € 8,932
Mission: providing solutions for people with hearing disabilities, such as fingerspelling services, giving them access to online education and conference opportunities
S/E NARINE MANUCHARYAN SERGEYI (TERRACOTTA)
Yerevan
֏ 4,490,000 | € 7,863
Mission: providing education opportunities through pottery to children, including those displaced by war
S/E HMAYAK NALBANDYAN ROMIKI
Yerevan
֏ 4,040,000 | € 7,075
Mission: producing construction materials and art through recycling plastic
