From Poverty Benefits to Entrepreneurship. 300 family benefit program beneficiary families will receive support for implementation of business initiatives.
Mira Antonyan (President of Armenian Association of Social Workers) - For many years, there was no hope that these people could do something, be active, stimulate: they don't want to become self-sufficient
The “Promoting Social Inclusion and Self-Reliant Livelihood Activities in Armenia” Project includes 11 thousand beneficiaries of the family benefit system living in Kotayk, Ararat, Armavir, Shirak and Lori regions, of which 1800 will have the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, and 300 families will be provided with 4 thousand dollars for the implementation of business plans.
According to Mira Antonyan, the main objective is to encourage beneficiaries to overcome social difficulties on their own and change the quality of their life.
Mira Antonyan - We do not give a person some kind of humanitarian aid, but give an opportunity to create a business, create the self-employment opportunity.
In general, compared to last year, the number of families receiving benefits decreased this year. According to the head of the Unified Social Service, both the implemented programs and the administration influenced the positive dynamics.
Eduard Petrosyan (Head of the RA MLSA Unified Social Service) - this year, compared with 2021 the number of families registered in FBP system descreased from 93,000 to about 81,000.
According to Petrosyan, the family benefit program will be reviewed, some criteria will be changed, according to which the system will become more targeted and effective.
The project is implemented by the Armenian Association of Social Workers in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia and Unified Social Services with the support of Word Bank and the Government of Japan.
