SUPPORT DISPLACED WOMEN FROM ARTSAKH

Dear Reader, 

It has been months that we last talked. So many things happened by then. 

Our community of displaced women, who were registered to participate in our entrepreneural trainings and professional development opportunities grows day by day. While during the last reporting period we had only ten graduates, this reporting period marked to be exceptional: FER involved 27 displaced women. 

FER worked with these participants on daily basis for over three months and through different phases.

1. Preparatory and Soft Skills Development Phase 

Needs and Capacity Assessment: Individual discussions were held to ensure the accurate selection of specializations, not only according to participants’ abilities and preferences but also  taking into account their future places of residence, local market demand, and other factors – so  that the acquired specialization would be truly applicable and in demand. 

2. Professional Training Phase 

- Professional Courses: Conducted at the “ArtHouse” school, according to their chosen specialization. 

- Selection and Purchase of Primary Professional Tools/Equipment: As well as instruction on their use. 

3. Capacity Building Phase

After the 27 women finished their professional training phase, they were invited to participate in a three-day capacity building session, which aimed to equip the participants with practical skills on how to grow their business now that they have all the basic neccessities. 

The first day of the capacity building workshop was a psychological session. This session was unique in its implementation -- combined it with a yoga session. FER usually starts all sessions with displaced NK Armenians with a psychological session. Many of the displaced population avoid talking about psychological issues and the marks left by the war and blockade. FER believes, the first step to break a transgenerational trauma is talking about these consequences that, especially women choose to silence themselves about. Therefore, a whole day of dedication to soul-searching and healing brings our beneficiaries closer to FER staff and its mission. This is our way of ensuring sustainable and meaningful participation.

The second day of the training was a more practical session. Since the participants of this workshop did not participate in the Women’s Academy, FER aimed to ensure that despite their limited participation, they can receive the advice and guidance necessary to succeed in their endeavors. Thus, FER organized a guiding session on how to plan a future at the age of 40+, set necessary priorities, and fight stereotypes in closed-up communities. The second half of the day was dedicated to financial literacy and financial planning.

When women are/feel empowered, have the skills to build a business or initiative, the next necessary skill is the one to sell their product – marketing. Therefore, FER decided to include a Social media management training. The third day covered SMM and business communication. 

All the feedback received from the partiicpants were quite high. It feels like home to be with these women and to know that what you do as an organization and a team changes someone else's life, especially when they are so vulnerable. 

You are a part of these stories and feelings. It is with your generous donations that we manage to keep this project going. 

Our sincere gratitute to you on behalf of FER and all our alumni.

Kindest regards and with hopes of meeting you one day!

FER team

Links:

• Photos of all current participants working on their skills