Armenecoop in Dilijan

Their products have attracted major international customers and organizations, including the European Union Armenia (EU), United Nations Development Programme Armenia (UNDP), and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Armenia (UNHCR).

Aida explained, "We want to empower local women in terms of finding a job, making a better living, and in every case building up their confidence."

Artur Ghazaryan and Aida Atabekyan are based in Dilijan with their two young children.  Aida is the founder of Armenecoop.  Her artisan program targets young unemployed women from the Dilijan community.  They accept 20 women annually to participate in yearlong training that educates them in entrepreneurial skills and teaches them how to sew. The results of this training are professionally-made tote bags, pencil cases, and other sewn items that are sold locally and exported to support the NGO. After the training, many women find jobs or produce new concepts on their own.  

Artur is also the founder and president of Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan, which is an NGO dedicated to promoting community development and civic participation by cultivating the skills and employment opportunities of young women and men in the region.  The main target group is young adults between 18 and 30, who are living in the rural communities of Armenia. In particular, Artur works with young people in the northern regions (Tavush, Lori and Shirak) who are eager to develop their competencies in a variety of fields.

This power couple has big plans for their community and have the knowledge and passion to make them happen.  Artur and Aida's overarching goal is to reduce poverty in their region. 

Check out an article about their incredible work, written in Armenian and published by Alik.