Duration: December 2020-February 2021
Funded by: CSF of Eastern Partnership
Role of LDA Armenia: lead partner
The project “WE CAN” commenced in December 1st, 2020 after the heaviest period in the new history of Armenia and lit a light for the revival among the disappointed and hopeless target groups. Before the informational meetings in Gyumri city and in Azatan, Ashotsk and Voskehask the project team held meetings with the community leader of Azatan, met the directors of Gyumri and Ashotsk State Employment agencies and contacted the community leader of Voskehask. Six informational meetings (instead of five as defined in the project) took place in Gyumri Youth Palace (three times), in Ashotsk, Azatan and Anushavan. In the result 5 informational meetings and the survey conducted concerning participation and COVID19 influence about 40 participants showed preparedness for the trainings.
The trainings took place in Gyumri Youth Palace on 30th of January and 1st of February. The 2-day trainings covered the topics on business thinking and planning, marketing, taxation system, SEO and SMM, social media. The very second day of the trainings the participants were divided into groups according to their locations and preferences, in the result 4 teams were formed /Azatan, Ashotsk, Anushavan, Gyumri/ that expressed their business ideas to handle over such products that will be addressed at the struggle against COVID 19.
The ideas, design were discussed with the groups and were agreed on the following products:
1. Azatan team – soaps with antibacterial content
2. Gyumri team – sewing of masks and linen
3. Ashotsk team – a product with honey, walnuts and dried fruits and herbal teas that contain vitamins and increase human immune system to struggle against the virus
4. Anushavan team – kiwi and mandarine jams to increase human immune system to struggle against virus
According to the agreements the teams were obliged to support poor families that suffered from COVID 19 lacking sufficient funds to buy masks, hygienic items, food that contained vitamins in order to protect their families. The teams also had an opportunity to prepare more products and sell them during the fair that took place in 1st of March. /This date was selected deliberately symbolizing the first day of spring, awakening of nature and start of initiatives/. Immediate outcome of the project came just after the fair Gyumri team received different proposals to sew masks and towel to promote business/.
As the last but very important component of the project was the creation of a website that would enable opportunities for the initiatives, businesses, services and an easy access to get updates on employment – shooka.am.