The aim of the event was to aid TRDP beekeepers to remove obstacles in accessing market and distribution networks to sell and promote their products. The event also promoted new networking opportunities between AUA-TRDP beneficiaries and potential customers. During the event our beneficiaries presented some of their innovative and motivational ideas for new products. For example one of the beneficiaries, Mr. Samuel Avetisyan, introduced a new product propolis- a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources which is believed to have health benefits.

The event was carefully designed to best market the products and establish an inviting ambience for all of our guests and beneficiaries. Participants had the opportunity to taste and purchase honey and propolis. Demonstrations were conducted to show the purity of the honey. Guests sampled the honey with bread and butter and cucumbers and were treated with a cake made with honey for the event.

The success of the event demonstrated the growing leadership of TRDP in rural economic development in Armenia and its essential role in promoting entrepreneurship in the region. The project attracted television coverage from two major channels, “SHANT” and “TZAYG”. In addition, two newspaper journalists from the “Hingshabti” newspaper and “ARMENPRESS” News Agency covered the event.

The number of guests participating in the opening ceremony included representative from the Arm Business Bank (ABB), head of the Pemzashen village Mr. Anan Voskanyan, representatives from the municipality, TRDP beneficiaries, and others. The priest of the Pemzashen village Church consecrated the new store.
Guests expressed their admiration of the modern safety and sanitary design of the store. Mr. Anan Voskanyan indicated that this store will become a model for other businesses in the region and that the business environment will be improved.

Mr. Tarzyan credited the AUA-TRDP team for their hard work and attention to details in developing the business. Mr. Tarzyan plans to re-apply for AUA-TRDP support in the future to expand his store to extend new services and products to better serve the community.

The project was made possible by a generous donation from the “Focus on Children Now” NGO. The project covered the renovation, refurnishing and provision of new materials for the Aygedzor kindergarten. The beddings and furniture were produced by the AUA-TRDP beneficiaries Anush Tsaturyan and Henrik Badalyan. The new kinder garten provides an environment for promoting the emotional, intellectual, social, moral, and creative development of children in Aygedzor village.

Accompanied by Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, the AUA-TRDP team visited the kinder gartens of the villages of Aygedzor and Chinari and distributed gifts to the children. Children were thrilled with the visit from Santa Claus and sang Christmas songs and reciting poetry for the guests.

“ARMENIA” and “YerkirMedia” TV broadcasted the event. To view the TV coverage, please see below:

More than forty guests attended the opening ceremony, including representatives from the regional television and newspaper media, local NGOs, other TRDP beneficiaries and local residents. The TRDP beneficiaries congratulated their colleague and expressed their interest in future cooperation and networking with him. The guests were impressed with the warm and welcoming ambience in the studio and the broad range of new services offered. Mr. Arzumanyan’s studio is the only one in the region currently offering numerous photo and video services. His studio is now newly well-equipped and cleverly designed to better serve the region.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Arzumanyan expressed his gratitude for the TRDP Javakhk region Team Leaders for their support and consultation throughout the whole process of renovation. He explained that without the assistance of TRDP, he could not have made the necessary renovations and purchased the new modern equipment to increase and improve his services to the people in the region. He emphasized that the skills in marketing, finance and development of a business plan that he learned from the TRDP training was indispensable to his success.

The new services provided by Mr. Arzumanyan’s Photo/Video Studio more comprehensively meet the needs of the community, including the production of customized caps and calendars, DVD cover printing, photo documents, graduation albums and pictures, and picture frames for wedding and funeral events. In addition, Mr. Arzumanyan now sells DVDs, CDs, computer accessories, cell phone cards, as well as providing full-service photo/video services for wedding ceremonies.

On July 6, 2012 Samvel Rafaelyan, together with AUA-TRDP, organized a grand opening of his new cheese factory in the Heshtia village of the Ninotsminda region in Georgia. The number of guests who came to the opening exceeded expectations and was well attended by the region’s television and newspaper media and government representatives. Guests from the government included a Member of the Georgian Parliament Enzel Mkoyan, the Head of the Regional Administration Samson Pnjoyan, the Chairman of the Ninotsminda Regional Assembly Vladimir Stamboltyan, and others. The parliamentarian Mr. Enzel Mkoyan was impressed with the hygienic controls in the factory, noting the importance of these controls for safety and quality. He also admired the large variety of cheese produced.

In his presentation, the proprietor Samvel Rafaelyan expressed his gratitude to TRDP for all of their support. He explained that without the assistance of TRDP, he could not have made the necessary renovations nor purchased the equipment to produce the safest highest-quality cheese meeting the highest standards.

The guests also included TRDP beneficiaries Armen Chakhoyan, also in cheese production, and Sevak Yeranosyan, who runs a pharmacy. They congratulated their colleague and looked forward to future close collaboration and networking. There was much discourse and interest among guests concerning cheese production technology, highlighted by a tasting of the various cheeses.

Currently, Rafaelyan produces more than six types of cheese, including Georgian, Lori, Gauda, Roquefort, Suluguni, and Chechil. The cheeses are distributed to the finest restaurants and supermarkets inTbilisi. Having studied in the Milk Department of the Veterinary Institute of Gavar in Gegharkunik region,Armenia, Rafaelyan uses his knowledge to select the highest quality milk  which is produced by rural residents in the region.

Rafaelyan expressed his gratitude towards the AUA-TRDP team for providing the training, consultations and support, explaining that he may seek their further assistance to expand to other regions in Georgia.

Anush Tsaturyan, is one of the AUA-TRDP’s first beneficiaries who had courage, determination and foresight to decide to start her sewing workshop business in the town of Noyemberyan (Tavush region, Armenia). She exercises innovative business approach, particularly in adopting new technology. With the help of AUA-TRDP, Tsaturyan has been able to purchase modern equipment and machines, which have dramatically increased both the volume and quality of the production.

She is also one of those beneficiaries who are socially responsible and actively participate in all Corporate Social Responsibility projects that AUA-TRDP organizes.

As an outcome of her active participation on those projects and for the continuous allocation of her income with people who need it, recently, during the Women’s Council meeting out of a number of women participating in the Countryside Philanthropist category, Anush Tsaturyan was bestowed a certificate of the Women Benefactor of the Tavush region.

“Hraparakum” TV series of Armenia’s Public TV rebounded to this event and prepared a documentary film about the successful women entrepreneurs who have been bestowed certificates of honor by the RA Prime Minister.

The film makers have visited the beneficiaries and tried to find what have been the contributing factors for the success of their businesses. During the interview, Tsaturyan assured that though the business always has difficulties, but the entrepreneurs should never get disappointed and always be courageous to maintain it. She comforted that it was AUA-TRDP that helped her to start her own business and later have it expanded.

To watch the documentary film, please visit the RA Government’s official website:

http://www.gov.am/am/hraparakum/item/281/

During the meeting certificates of honor on different categories were presented by the Prime Minister. The contest involved 64 businesswomen from all over Armenia. The best businesswomen were chosen according to various criteria.

Out of the 5 women participating in the Countryside Philanthropist category, Anush Tsaturyan was bestowed a certificate of the Women Benefactor of the Tavush region.

Anush Tsaturyan is 2008 AUA-TRDP beneficiary and owns a sewing workshop in the town of Noyemberyan which started operating with only 1 employee but now there are more than 10 employees working in her sewing workshop. The workshop produces all sorts of products, including bed linens, clothing, tablecloths, curtains, etc.

Due to the networking and marketing opportunities organized by the AUA-TRDP, Anush Tsaturyan has gained excellent reputation spread beyond the Tavush marz to Yerevan and other marzes. Indeed, the success of her workshop is apparent in the satisfaction of her employees and various charity beneficiaries. She actively cooperates with other AUA-TRDP beneficiaries throughout the region and her workshop often makes uniforms and linens for their businesses.

Anush Tsaturyan regularly organizes and teaches vocational courses for college students and unemployed women from Noyemberyan and surrounding villages. At the end of each class, the students are trained and prepared for the sewing industry and Mrs. Tsaturyan picks the best students to work in her sewing workshop.

This award is distinctive for Anush, since it was the TRDP that enabled her to participate in a number of corporate social responsibility projects and as a result to become the first business lady in the region. The AUA-TRDP has placed great emphasis on socially responsible activities and with the encouragement of the program Mrs. Tsaturyan has participated in many of such projects by preparing special gifts for the pregnant women, bed linens for kindergardens of the remote villages, etc.

At the end of the meeting the Prime Minister congratulated all the prize winners and expressed his hope that the Armenian women will always hold a well-deserved place in the society.

Translated by: Hasmik Yumushaghjyan
Several years ago, Anush Tsaturyan could not even dream about having her own business in her hometown – Noyemberyan. Being detached from the capital, the town in the Tavush marz, where she lives is not the best place for an inexperienced entrepreneur, having no resources and business skills. It should also be noted that with a population of only 5,500, the local market is not comparable with that of the capital. Nevertheless, one day the fortune knocked Anush’s door, and the enterprising woman could not fail to take advantage of.      

During this period, the American University of Armenia’s Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP) had started its activities in the Tavush marz, aimed at raising the living standards of the families in the rural areas, by applying progressive methods of education for adults and encouraging them to undertake economic initiatives.  Without hesitating, Anush applied for the training course of the TRDP program and after getting the appropriate skills and financial support she soon opened her sewing workshop, which is now famous for its products even beyond the Tavush marz.

The idea of launching the Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP) was developed when Mr. Jirayr Turpanjian, a well-known American philanthropist and with a multi-year experience in doing charity, wished to support and contribute to the development of Armenia’s rural areas by using American University of Armenia’s (AUA) capabilities. The design and methods of implementing the program was passed to the leading experts of the university, posing an important provision, that the residents of border areas and remote villages and cities should first be supported. The program was launched first in the Shirak marz, which was still suffering from the consequences of the Spitak earthquake in 1988. In the Shirak marz, Mr. Turpanjian had already for a few years provided financial support to orphaned students, who were studying at different universities of Armenia, including AUA.

The development and implementation of the program was not similar to other donor organizations acting in Armenia, which were launching programs based on already prepared scenarios and proven mechanisms. AUA experts strived a lot to bring the program in line with expected requirements. Primary importance was given to the educational component and particularly the continuing education for adults. The staff of the program was working with individuals educated during the Soviet era according to the standards and criteria of the time, that differed from current reality.

The essence of the program is to empower the residents of rural areas to apply to AUA experts, who are ready to transform their dreams into reality. Each of the beneficiaries is introducing his/her new business plan. Moreover, applications from urban regional centers are not accepted and the program is directed to the residents from rural areas and secondary townships of the regions. The program staff studies systematically and separates the most realistic applications, and invites the authors to attend the special training courses, which are organized for selected groups, 3-4 times a year in each region. During the training, the beneficiaries learn about the basics of business (from basic to practical skills), as well as the basic concepts of marketing and management, accounting, and their application in each case. During the course, each of the participants based on his/her learned skills, independently drafts the business plan, which is later presented to the special jury. As a result, out of 15-18 participants, 5-7 get first approval to start their businesses.

The jury consists of representatives of different public organizations and most importantly experts from partner banks, who later provide loans to beneficiaries. The loans are granted on favorable conditions (maximum AMD 3,5 mln. per loan) with a duration of three years at 6% annual interest rate. As Gevorg Goyunyan, the TRDP Coordinator states, during the first years of implementing the program, financial assistance was provided by means of various grants, however the practice showed, that in case of non-repayable financing and as a rule, people tend to become less responsible both for their businesses and for future investments. In case if they are dealing with a bank, they tend to develop their businesses faster and run it more efficiently, which allows them to repay the loan on time.

The training courses help the entrepreneurs to obtain both the necessary knowledge and skills and during the one-month period of business training establish a network of business fellow coursemates. Very often, the beneficiaries become one another’s clients and even join hands to look for a market for their products or services. This enables to mutually run and develop the business. During the training, the staff of the program has an opportunity to study each beneficiary’s behavior and later become their guarantor in the bank.

The work with future businessmen does not stop after the funding; the experts of the program conduct regular monitoring and mentoring, provide both technical and moral support, and help to bring the good initiatives to its successful end.

Since 2006, the program has provided 7 grants, totaling 32 million drams, 150 bank guarantees amounting to more than 300 million drams, organized trainings for more than 560 villagers and more than 200 people have been employed. Currently, there are Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP) centers in Gyumri, Ijevan and Stepanakert, another office was recently opened in Georgia, to serve the Armenian residents of Javakhq. Currently, a similar program is being developed for young entrepreneurs. The intention of the program is to involve both the university students and graduates of secondary schools, and the youth recently demobilized from the army.

The scope of the TRDP participant interests is very broad: hairdressers, photo-printing services, bakeries and pastry shops, dental clinics, production of animal feed, computer centers, hotels, etc. During the five years of the program, there are a number of successful examples in practice, as well as villagers, who founded new businesses or developed an already existing one. Very often, the villagers re-apply to the program, with a request to participate in training courses in order to expand an already existing business or open a new one. Besides, the program also raises the understanding of corporate social responsibility towards the city, region, and village of the participants. For instance, the sewing workshop of Anush Tsaturyan makes special gifts for pregnant women living in border villages. Other beneficiaries undertake the renovations of kindergardens, cultural houses, etc.

Anush Tsaturyan’s sewing workshop is clean, spacious and very well lighted. Young seamstresses, wearing trendy uniforms and ties, who find a position in this sewing workshop work with modern sewing machines. The hostess – Anush, is wearing a uniform, which is cut and sewn with her own hands. Private households, nurseries, schools, hotels, restaurants, as well as other TRDP beneficiaries always use the services provided by the Noyemberyan seamstresses. Here one can order everything: clothes, bed linen, and tablecloths. Anush Tsaturyan plans to expand her business and produce also handwoven products. Being a mother of three children, she collaborates with the State College of Noyemberyan, gives classes of sewing, and introduces the basics of business, while at the same time liaising with the local Department of Employment services. When expanding the business, she will always need new hardworking hands. Anush also organizes training courses for students and unemployed women from Noyemberyan and surrounding villages. Her best students are being employed in the sewing workshop or move on to start their own businesses.
The Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP) continues accepting applications.

URL: www.golosarmenii.am/ru/20200/society/15110