Capacity Building Program Completed: Empowering Displaced People from Nagorno-Karabakh Through Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment

On September 12, the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA) convened the wrap-up conference of the Capacity Building Program, bringing together high-level representatives from the Government of Armenia and partner institutions.

The conference was attended by Ruben Sargsyan, RA Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Edgar Zakaryan, RA Deputy Minister of Economy, Nune Hovhannisyan, National Coordinator of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as numerous distinguished guests from international and local partner organizations.

It was a distinct honor that ILO senior representatives also joined the event online, including Beate Andrees, Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Vladimir Curovic, Senior Specialist on Employers’ Activities of the ILO Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Their presence emphasized the global importance of the program, reinforced its international recognition, and inspired participants to continue developing their entrepreneurial initiatives.

In his opening remarks, RUEA President Vahagn Hambardzumyan noted that the program was implemented through two main modules: one aimed at developing the entrepreneurial skills of the forcibly displaced population from Nagorno-Karabakh, and the other at strengthening the capacities of RUEA members. V. Hambardzumyan emphasized that targeted programs for the development of entrepreneurship play a key role in Armenia’s socio-economic development, not only promoting long-term economic growth but also contributing to labor market stability and reforms. As a result, new practical and accessible opportunities are created for the development of entrepreneurial activities.

In her welcome address, Beate Andrees highlighted the programme’s significant impact on the creation of decent jobs, the development of entrepreneurship, and the promotion of formalization. The ILO Regional Director highly valued the close cooperation between RUEA and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia, which enables joint solutions to important socio-economic issues, strengthens labor market stability, and promotes equal opportunities, particularly in regions where displaced people are in need of practical solutions.

Wellcome greetings were also delivered by Ruben Sargsyan, RA Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and Edgar Zakaryan, RA Deputy Minister of Economy, who stressed the importance of the initiative in creating new jobs, ensuring social inclusion and economic integration in overcoming various challenges faced by the country, and providing stable self-employment and income opportunities for displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh.

ILO National Coordinator Nune Hovhannisyan also underlined the importance of the program, noting that the development of entrepreneurship is a vital component of social inclusion and provides vulnerable groups with the necessary support and opportunities to fully participate in economic and social life.

Lilit Adamyan, Executive Director of RUEA, presented the program’s outcomes, stressing that it provided a unique opportunity for about 70 beneficiaries to acquire essential entrepreneurial knowledge and skills through intensive three-month courses aimed at supporting the launch of their own businesses. The program was carried out in three separate groups—in-person, online, and hybrid formats—ensuring wide geographical coverage and including participants from 9 regions of Armenia. Lilit Adamyan noted that the results of the pre- and post-assessments conducted in all three groups showed a 75–100% increase in newly acquired knowledge, demonstrating the high effectiveness of the program. Given that the preparation of business plans was a core outcome of the program, special focus was placed on equipping participants with the skills necessary for effective business planning. As a result, most participants developed business projects that could potentially grow into viable and profitable businesses. Lilit Adamyan emphasized that the program’s support would extend beyond the training phase, with RUEA planning to provide ongoing mentorship and professional consultancy to assist participants in developing and implementing their business ideas.

The second module focused on enhancing the business management skills of RUEA members, improving financial literacy, and fostering the ability to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into business processes, with the goal of strengthening management capacities and boosting competitiveness. Over the course of the two-month training, 30 representatives from RUEA member organizations acquired new competencies in organizing business processes during periods of change, strategic planning, financial management, risk mitigation, strengthening competitive positions, and integrating digital and innovative solutions into business development. The AI component provided participants with innovative tools in social media management and content marketing, contributing to increased brand visibility and competitiveness.

Following the presentation of the project outcomes, Vladimir Curovic, Senior Specialist on Employers’ Activities at the ILO Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, delivered the closing remarks. He welcomed the large number of business projects presented, noting that the ideas showcased the strong potential of displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh and their determination to overcome obstacles and pursue new economic opportunities.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to 100 participants who successfully completed both modules. The participants thanked the organizers and trainers for equipping them with valuable professional knowledge and hands-on skills, which will support them in implementing their ideas and advancing their entrepreneurial initiatives.

It should be noted that the project was implemented with the support of International Labour Organization (ILO) under the ILO initiative “Building the capacity of constituents to pre-empt the informalisation of work and promote the transition to formality in the context of a refugee crisis.

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