IOM and KOICA Launch Multi-Country Project to Boost Livelihoods and Economic Vitality in Conflict-Affected Communities

In 2023, over 100,000 refugees arrived in Armenia following the escalation of the decades-long regional conflict. The new arrivals, which include vulnerable groups such as older people, children, and people living with disability, now make up 3.3 per cent of Armenia's population of three million. Many are still dependent on state support, which is expected to decrease or end soon as the focus shifts to finding long-term solutions and promoting the socio-economic integration of all marginalized groups in Armenia.   

To facilitate support toward durable solutions addressing the pressing needs of displacement-affected communities, the Empowering Livelihoods and Economic Vitality in Fragile and Conflict Zones (ELEVATE) project aims to boost local economies by enhancing economic infrastructure and providing access to both short-term and sustainable livelihoods. By doing so, ELEVATE aims to integrate refugees and marginalized groups into Armenia's economic fabric, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency.  

"With this partnership, IOM Armenia, in collaboration with national authorities, will drive the economic empowerment and inclusion of conflict-affected communities and marginalized groups with comprehensive and innovative solutions," said Ilona Terminasyan, IOM Armenia's Head of Office.  

In Armenia, the ELEVATE project will offer dynamic business grants, comprehensive business counseling, in-kind and technical support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as capacity-building for vocational training institutions. In addition, social good business fairs will be organized to bring together like-minded professionals, including the SME grantees, to further strengthen their social responsibility and encourage collaboration and partnerships. These efforts aim to strengthen local businesses, ensuring self-sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods for employees, thereby benefiting families and the local economy.  

"This programmatic partnership highlights KOICA and IOM's shared commitment to delivering sustainable and meaningful solutions for refugees and host communities in Armenia. KOICA's USD 2 million funding for the next two years will be critical in addressing the needs of vulnerable people in Armenia," said Kap Chae Ra, Director of the KOICA Conflict, Fragility and the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus (HDPN) Team. 

Additionally, the project will foster social cohesion and empower the economic resilience of conflict-affected communities through steering committees, dialogues, and communal equipment management. A key focus of ELEVATE is also the active promotion of workforce inclusion for women and persons with disabilities. By providing targeted support, the project thereby seeks to enhance the income-generation capacity of vulnerable individuals across Armenia.  

Among other objectives, the ELEVATE project aims to support approximately 450 individuals directly and provide 16 SMEs with grants, aiming to create more than 60 new jobs directly through these grants in Armenia.  

IOM and KOICA are committed to working collaboratively with authorities at national and local levels to empower communities not only to rebuild their livelihoods but also to contribute to the broader goal of peacebuilding.  

For more information, please contact:  

Maria-Alexandra Bassermann, IOM Armenia  

Email: mbassermann@iom.int