Armenia: Local Governments for Responsible Entrepreneurship
The project continued the activities carried out the previous year in cooperation with local communities in the Lori province, bordering Georgia. In 2023, particular emphasis was placed on developing socially responsible entrepreneurship and creating small local businesses.
Six municipalities took part in the project: three of them – Debet, Dsegh, and Vahagni – had already participated in the previous year’s activities and implemented their first initiatives. They were joined by three new communities – Chkalov, Karinj, and Dzoragyugh – which were able to draw on the experience of their predecessors.
Proven Methods of Local Cooperation
The methodology for working with partners in Armenia was based on approaches previously tested by the Solidarity Fund PL – the participatory budgeting model applied in Georgia and the LEADER method implemented in Moldova. Project participants took part in a series of workshops on communication, management, fundraising, and grant project implementation, which prepared them for participation in a local grant competition.
Mini-Grants for Local Entrepreneurship
As part of the competition, four initiatives received mini-grants: to open a souvenir shop for tourists, launch a herbal tea drying and tasting facility, develop a local guesthouse, and expand duck farming. The implementation of these projects contributed to activating residents and improving the quality of life in the municipalities.
Presentation of Results in Debet
In November 2023, Debet hosted a presentation of the completed initiatives with the participation of all project participants, implementing organisations, local authorities, and representatives of non-governmental organisations.