New Income Opportunities for vulnerable Armenians

Expansions and Renovations Increasing Services to Communities, Profits for Entrepreneurs in Rural Armenia

Participants in a Near East Foundation project in rural Armenia are flourishing with access to expanded modern services and new training opportunities.

In rural Armenia, access to IT services and amenities has been limited to only a few places. NEF is working with local entrepreneurs and partners to create sustainable businesses and training programs to help meet the growing demand and create new opportunities for rural Armenians. 

In 2012 the opportunities have included driver’s education training, offered by project partners the Gegharkunik Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Zartnir franchised computer centers. As part of a pilot program, several centers installed “Practical Driving” simulator software on their computers to prepare participants to drive successfully and pass their driver’s license tests.  For people who live in remote areas, obtaining a driver’s license is essential to having the mobility and capacity to obtain jobs at a non-walkable distance. In the future, trainings will be expanded to other computer centers within the Zartnir network.

In February of 2012 the Zartnir computer centers also succeeded in paying back the loans they received The Zartnir franchise of computer centers was launched in 2010 with support from the “Successful Start” Foundation, a program through the Gegharkunik Chamber. In February 2012, the centers successfully completed payback of the start-up loans they received.  Now that the centers are established and independent, they are now able to offer new services to the community and update their businesses. These updates can have a significant effect on the influx of customers, and increase the computer center’s income.

In Noratus, for example, the computer center has been renovated to replicate European-style computer centers and better suit customer needs. Computers for internet use have been separated from computers used by children playing computer games. This has created a more suitable environment for each customer, and gives the center a more professional atmosphere. 

The Vaghashen center is preparing to launch a new business venture – a 3D cinema. The franchise owner is collaborating with the Gegharkunik Chamber to create a business plan for the cinema, which will target a youth audience. Chamber leaders are supporting the business expansion and the center owner has received financing, in the amount of 350,000 Armenian Drams (just under $1,000), to buy a 3D projector. Currently, he is renovating a space to make it suitable for a cinema.

These expansions and computer center renovations aim to attract more customers and increase profits by increasing the variety and quality of services available to the community.

Rural livelihoods continue to improve in rural Armenia, where NEF’s project in support of entrepreneurs is helping to rebuild the economy, and break the cycle of unemployment and poverty.

In the first three months of 2012, a total of six entrepreneurs received funding for their business ventures. The entrepreneurs are from four rural villages in the regions of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegharkunik, and Tavush.   

Each of the businesses has a different focus.  The range of enterprises includes a beekeeping venture, dried fruit production, a souvenir shop, a bakery, a sheep-breeding farm, and a vegetable greenhouse.

Since 2008, NEF has worked with local partners in rural Armenia to promote sustainable local economic development by strengthening economic sub-sectors (such as the ones supported in 2012) where rural areas have a competitive advantage.  Our program helps at every stage of business development – from formulating a business plan to gaining access to micro-credit (capital) and providing ongoing mentoring and support services during the launch phase.

We thank you for your generous support, which is helping entrepreneurs build strong businesses and contribute to the revitalization of their communities!