Project duration: 01.02.2026 – 31.01.2028
Project location: Republic of Armenia, Gegharkunik region, Vardenis community
Beneficiaries:
- 60 women (local and displaced from vulnerable groups)
- 80 children (aged 6–14)
- 70 teenagers and youth (aged 13–19)
Project goal: Vulnerable women and children in the Vardenis community are empowered to stabilize their emotional and economic situation and to build their coping skills.
Main activities:
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
- Conduct individual and group therapy sessions for women, focusing on trauma recovery, self-esteem building, and emotional regulation.
- Implement art therapy, play therapy, and group activities for children to create a safe space for emotional expression and healing.
- Organize interactive workshops on stress management and coping strategies for women, introducing practical tools such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and time management.
- Establish peer support groups for women to share experiences, build mutual support networks, and provide emotional encouragement.
- Conduct capacity-building sessions for parents on child development, recognizing mental health issues, and fostering a supportive home environment.
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Environmental Education
- Conduct DRR workshops covering hazards identification, risk reduction strategies, and emergency preparedness.
- Organize participatory community assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential disaster risks.
- Provide first aid training for teenagers to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies.
- Deliver environmental education sessions on sustainable practices and waste management.
- Implement community-driven initiatives/campaigns (e.g., clean-up campaigns, awareness events) to foster active youth engagement.
- Women’s Economic Empowerment and Social Enterprise
- Develop women’s practical and business skills in sewing and confectionery through structured club-based activities (product development, quality standards, and marketing).
- Organize skill-based contests with clear selection criteria, awarding winners with at-home equipment to support the launch or expansion of their income-generating activities.
- Establish and activate the sewing club as a Caritas social enterprise, with support for product sales and branding/marketing.
- Provide mentoring, coaching, and networking support, prioritizing women who completed business training and received support in the first phase of the project.
- Organize networking events and strengthen linkages with employers to promote employment opportunities for women.
Budget: EUR 123,830
Donors: Kindermissionswerk “Die Sternsinger” e.V., Caritas Belgium International
Project Manager: Mariam Grigoryan
