May 1, 2023, Yerevan
Within the framework of the “V4 for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Regions of Armenia” Program, the Conference on “Youth for Entrepreneurship” was held in the hall of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia. 60 young people from all regions of Armenia and Yerevan participated in the Conference. This was the closing event of the Program.
The participants of the Conference were greeted by Hovsep Khurshudyan, the president of the “Free Citizen” CISC NGO, Hayk Margaryan, the CEO of the National Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, Dagen Valentine, Country Director of the American Councils for International Education, Jan Cingel, the founder of the Slovak “Strategic Analysis” research center, Samvel Sahakyan, Member of the Board of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, Vice-Chairman of the Advertising Council of Armenia, Representative of the International WPP Holding.
During the Conference, the experience of Armenia and Slovakia, a member of the Visegrad Quartet, in the development of youth entrepreneurship, the prospects and opportunities for the development of trade relations between Armenia and the European Union, the conditions and necessary standards for the export of Armenian products to the European Union were presented. Speakers Hayk Margaryan, Yan Tsingel, and Samvel Sahakyan, as well as the president of the “Democratic Foundation” platform Garegin Miskaryan also gave motivational speeches to young entrepreneurs.
At the end of the Conference, an award ceremony was held. 10 prizes were awarded to the winners of the best business ideas competition. The awards were presented by Jan Cingel (Slovakia), founder of the “Strategic Analysis” research center, and Robert Kadaryan, co-founder of “Free Citizen” NGO, and director of CASKAD ENERGO holding.
Then there was a presentation of the award-winning best business ideas: 22-year-old Mariam Sukiasyan from Hrazdan presented the business project of LUSI handmade candles, 16-year-old Astghik Adamyan from Berd presented the PUNJ business project, and finally 24-year-old Siranush Oganezova from Vardenis presented the business project of the BERRY raspberry garden.
The Conference was organized by the “Free Citizen” support center for civic initiatives with the support of the Visegrad International Foundation.
The agenda of the Conference can be found at this link.
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Within the framework of the “V4 for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Regions of Armenia” program, during 18 pieces of training organized in all regions of Armenia, 424 young people (instead of 360 envisaged by the Program) were imparted knowledge related to entrepreneurship and business establishment, 10 video lessons were prepared (instead of 6 provided by the Program). Out of 36 collected business ideas, 27 were filtered according to eligibility, 10 of which were awarded AMD 50,000 prizes. 41 out of 424 participants took part in the first and second three-day Spring Schools held at Arthurs Resort Hotel in Aghveran. The program has been covered in social media, on TV and Radio.
“Free Citizen” SICS NGO partners in the Project are:
- “Strategic Analysis” Think Tank, Slovakia,
- “Green Elefant” Fund, Poland,
- “Democratic Platform” Fund, Armenia.
