Establishment of a platform for development of women entrepreneurship and employment is underway, co-financed by UNDP, RA Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, and Economy.
The platform will support the development of an entrepreneurial and employment ecosystem by mapping the capacities and strategic objectives of various actors in the ecosystem, as well as develop and implement effective business and employment promotion models, and evaluation systems, and provide research data for data-based policies.
Opening speeches were made by UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan, and Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan.
“Armenia faces ecosystem-level compound challenges which require complex and innovative support mechanisms. UNDP’s objective is to boost women’s entrepreneurial potential and economic empowerment in Armenia, with increased ownership from the Government of Armenia. We are committed to partner with the government to establish this unique support mechanism, since women’s economic participation, including through increased productivity employment and entrepreneurship, is crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”, said Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.
Pilot projects will be implemented as part of the full development and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Platform to foster economic empowerment of at least 50 start-ups and 50 operating women entrepreneurs, and 250 women with low economic capacity.
This Article was prepared in the frames of the “Strengthening Women’s Participation in the Workforce” project implemented by OxYGen Foundation in cooperation with Solidarity Center in Armenia.