Armenia
NEF’s work in Armenia aims to help survivors of domestic violence become economically independent by starting their own businesses and securing employment.
Present since
1985
Local partners
500
Projects
45
Introduction
In 1915, the Near East Foundation (NEF) was founded in urgent response to the Armenian Genocide. During a historic relief effort in the years that followed, NEF saved the lives of over 1,000,000 refugees, and in the process established the tradition of “citizen philanthropy” – a model used today by a majority of non-profit organizations around the world.
Nearly 100 years later, peace and prosperity in Armenia remain at the heart of NEF’s mission. Long ago forced by the Soviet regime to leave our partner communities, NEF returned to Armenia after a 75-year hiatus. A new era of development work began in 2004 with a focus on improving the lives and future opportunities of street children. NEF efforts have since transitioned into helping revitalize communities to improve livelihoods among vulnerable groups, and to build a stronger economy that will create a brighter future for all Armenians.
Challenges
In 2007, NEF undertook an exploratory mission to identify opportunities to support rural economic development. Those initial efforts led to a strategic alliance with Business Pareta, the leading Armenian firm specializing in rural economic development, and Armenia Fund USA, one of the primary channels for philanthropic action among the Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. In 2009, this consortium initiated a collaborative effort to develop a model for local economic development combining micro-enterprise, micro-finance, and micro-franchising. This initiative draws on complementary areas of expertise and a common understanding of the importance and challenges of grassroots economic development for poverty reduction in rural Armenia.
Our solution
In 2013, NEF extended its focus to include the economic empowerment of vulnerable women. High rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and the persistence of conservative gendered norms at home and in the community violate women’s fundamental human rights and pose serious barriers to social cohesion and sustainable economic development in Armenia.
1
bakery has been built to cope with the economic problems
caused by the decrease in access to wheat and the limited use of agriculture.
75,000
displaced and vulnerable families
from Nerkin Khndzoresk receive free bread from the bakery.
In 2013, NEF extended its focus to include the economic empowerment of vulnerable women. High rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and the persistence of conservative gendered norms at home and in the community violate women’s fundamental human rights and pose serious barriers to social cohesion and sustainable economic development in Armenia.
Our areas of work in Armenia
With support from our donors, in 2021, the Near East Foundation partnered with 206 local organizations and supported 688,914 people to rise above their circumstances and reclaim their lives and futures.
