Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO

In the framework of Three4ResilientArmenia: Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods, Business Growth, and Employment Opportunities for Displaced and Host Communities

 

Call for the Selection of company to provide

Livelihood Assistance for Self-Employed Individuals from the project target groups engaged in the Agricultural Sector

 

Project title Three4ResilientArmenia: Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods, Business Growth, and Employment Opportunities for Displaced and Host Communities
Place of implementation Republic of Armenia
Deadline for the applications 28.02.2026, 23:00
Start date March 2026
Kind of contract Service contract
Duration of service delivery Cycle 1: March – July 2026

Cycle 2: September 2026 – January 2027 (tbd with the selected service provider)
E-mail for applications v.gasparyan@caritas.am; info@caritas.am

 

1. Background
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched large-scale military operations against Nagorno-Karabakh (NK), resulting in the displacement of over 101,800 indigenous Armenians who arrived in Armenia within days. This influx significantly impacts Armenia’s socio-economic landscape, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities such as high poverty rates, food insecurity, unemployment, and inflation. Overall, the number of refugees constitute almost 3% of the entire Armenian population, i.e., 1 in 30 people, which adds to the 36,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless people of all nationalities who were already present in the country. Armenia faces considerable challenges in addressing the consequences of the forced displacements of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 and 2023.

The United Nations Inter-Agency Rapid Needs Assessment conducted shortly after the displacement showed that many refugees were expected to remain in Armenia, and there was a need to prioritize resilience addressing the needs of both refugees and host communities.

During the initial stages of displacement needs included shelter, food, medical aid, and psychosocial support. While in the mid to long term, sustainable integration priorities encompass housing solutions and income generation. Moreover, social integration and inclusion are important components to foster social cohesion, reduce tensions and build trust within communities.

 

  1. Objectives and methodology of the action

Armenian Caritas, as a key humanitarian actor, has transitioned from emergency relief to early recovery and integration efforts, focusing on sustainable socio-economic development.

Starting from November 2024, Armenian Caritas has been implementing the project “Three4ResilientArmenia: Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods, Business Growth, and Employment Opportunities for Displaced and Host Communities”, funded by the European Union.

The overall objective of the project is to enhance the social cohesion and economic integration of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and host communities

Specific objective 1: Quality of life of refugees and host communities is enhanced.

The project aligns with the Armenian Government’s mid-to-long-term strategy for sustainable housing, employment, and livelihood support. The intervention strategy is based on a NEXUS approach, linking social assistance with economic empowerment to enhance refugees’ ability to support themselves independently.

Housing and income generation are crucial for ensuring sustainable integration and dignified lives for both refugees and the local population. Housing is a significant challenge for displaced individuals, as economic integration often depends on available housing opportunities, and vice versa. Typically, displaced individuals prioritize finding affordable housing before pursuing employment or entrepreneurship. Income generation follows as the next critical need, and addressing these issues increases refugees’ chances of independently meeting other essential needs. To foster resilience and sustainable integration, and to prevent refugees from falling into poverty traps, the project aims to provide comprehensive socio-economic support through the NEXUS approach and complementary methodologies․

For this, in the framework of the project “Three4ResilientArmenia: Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods, Business Growth, and Employment Opportunities for Displaced and Host Communities” Armenian Caritas seeks service providers (company, NGO, other) to provide economic integration support to the project target groups engaged in agriculture.

Note: The Project is VAT exempted. Armenian Caritas will provide VAT exemption certificate.

 

3. Scope of the action/services to be delivered
The economic integration component shall be implemented in two cycles:

  • Cycle 1: March – July 2026
  • Cycle 2: September 2026 – January 2027 (this tbd with the selected service provider).

The geographic focus of the action is Armenia with specific focus on the provinces of Ararat, Gegharkunik as well as Yerevan and nearby communities.

The overall objective of the action is to enhance the economic integration of displaced people from NK and local population of Armenia through the modality of Livelihood Assistance for Self-Employed Individuals from the project target groups engaged in the Agricultural Sector.

 

This modality is primary tailored for rural areas and is aimed at supporting more vulnerable refugees and host population who are seeking livelihood and affordable housing opportunities. This support will be provided through NEXUS approach linking social assistance with economic empowerment. Livelihood assistance component will include professional consultations, trainings/workshops, coaching and mentoring. Successful participants of this component will receive equipment and other livelihood assets from Armenian Caritas.

  1. The action will be conducted for the following stakeholders:
  • Displaced people from NK in 2020 and 2023
  • Local population of Armenia affected by the Wars in NK as well as recent floods that happened in May 2024 will
  • Armenian Caritas
  • Armenian Government
  • Regional and local municipalities

 

5. Specific objectives
1.  to elaborate and implement an innovative, comprehensive and efficient Livelihood assistance model for rural areas (agriculture)

2.  to develop specific knowledge and skills in agricultural sector as well as necessary entrepreneurial skills among the project target groups

3.  to support in the development and implementation of bussines models in agricultural sector

4.  to have self-employed persons and/or micro businnesses established and running their business models at the end of the project economic integration component
6. Suggested methodological approach
The methodological approach for the Livelihood assistance component should include but is not limited by the following elements:
  1. conducting trainings, workshops
  2. Individual consultancy and coaching
  3. validation of the business model proposed by the applicants with the project team
  4. mentorship by the sector specific professionals, entrepreneurs and Networking
  5. provision of financial support to third parties for obtaining equipment and livelihood assets (this to be implemented by Armenian Caritas (FSTP)
  6. monitoring of financed cases by the selected service provider

 
7. Responsibilities, main results of the action
  1.  at least 100 applications received per each cycle
  2.  at least 80 people per each cycle participated in the training courses and benefitted from coaching
  3. at least 70 business models per each cycle approved by the Jury
  4. At least 50 participants per each cycle whose business models were approved received funding for agricultural assets from Armenian Caritas

 
8. Reporting / Deliverables: The service provider is expected to deliver the following documents.
  1. Inception report with focus on methodological part, timeline in English
  2. Livelihood assistance methodology
  3. Trainings’, coaching modules
  4. Mentorship methodology
  5. Reports on each phase of the project
  6. Business models developed during the project
  7. Protocols of Jury selection
  8. Quarterly reports
  9. Final report of implementation including:
  10. Lists of participants in all trainings
  11. Main issues raised by the participants during the project
  12. Main findings (statement of facts), conclusions and recommendations.
  • Monitoring forms and report

9. Costs and Financing
The contracts will be on a fixed price basis.

The payment will be made as follows:

  • 1st instalment – 50% (after signing the agreement)
  • 2nd instalment – 40% (after the 1st cycle is completed)
  • Final instalment – 10% (after submission of final deliverables).

 

10. The profile of the business support service provider
The best offer will be selected by the Jury: price and quality of the proposal will be scored and weighted 40 % price and 60 % quality. The quality of the proposal will be scored according to the below mentioned conditions giving preference to the organisation having professional qualification and working experience with the target groups of the project.

  • Availability of agri specific professionals
  • Experience in implementing business support and livelihood assistance services (at least 3 implemented projects) and the work experience with displaced people, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups
  • Own premises for the trainings and other relevant activitites will be an asset

11. Application Procedure
Armenian Caritas invites interested and qualified business support professional companies to participate in a call for proposal in February 2026.

Interested organisations are required to send their signed/stamped applications composed of the below mentioned documents before 28.02.2026, 23:00 to v.gasparyan@caritas.am, info@caritas.am.

 

Applications should be submitted including all the documents mentioned below.

  • Copy of the state registration certificate of the applicant organisation
  • Proposal description in English according to the attached template
  • Detailed budget in English according to the attached template without VAT
  • Diplomas, qualification Certificates of at least 3 trainers/coaches, which will be involved to provide training/consultancy/guidance services; agri mentors

 

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) and the templates for submission of proposals can be found in the package accessible through these links:

 

Three4RA_ToR_Livelihood Support

Three4RA_Annex 1_Technical Proposal Template_Livelihood Support

Three4RA_Annex 2_Financial Proposal Template_Livelihood Support

 

Please note: Only applications submitted according to the attached templates will be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for the interview by the “Armenian Caritas” Benevolent NGO.