History

Background

The Armenian Diaspora is inseparably linked to the Armenian homeland - through a common history and the bonds of culture, spiritual life and economics. For Armenia, a landlocked and small country, the Diaspora presents a unique source of development resources and which can facilitate and bolster its economic development. Today, in a very real sense, investing in the human capital of Armenia is investing in the future of the Armenian nation as a whole.

Objectives

In accordance with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2005-2009, UNDP Armenia has established an unprecedented partnership with the Armenian Diaspora. The main goals of this partnership are:

• to engage Armenian communities of Diaspora in a dynamic dialogue with regard to the development issues of Armenia;
• to present Diaspora individuals and organizations with the most feasible and far-reaching opportunities to invest in the human capital of Armenia, especially in terms of rural development, small and medium size enterprise (SMEs) development, and professional training;
• to offer Diaspora individuals and institutions various programs through which they will have a direct stake - and direct say - in the development processes of their homeland.

For the first time Diaspora individuals and institutions have the opportunity to work directly with UNDP Armenia in support of their homeland. Such collaboration is backed by the outstanding reputation and track record of the United Nations in general and the UNDP in particular. Accountability and transparency are core priorities throughout the spectrum of our projects, whose progress and outcomes are monitored according to set standards and benchmarks.

Partnership Areas

Based on UNDP Armenia's country experience since 1993 and the findings of the United Nations Human Development Report 2007-2008, one of the most effective ways to foster sustainable economic growth in Armenia is to invest in communities, particularly in rural areas. Toward this end, UNDP Armenia continues to administer an extremely successful Community Development Project, which presents the Armenian Diaspora with excellent opportunities to invest in the human capital of their homeland. Community development is an urgent priority, given the alarming rate of migration from Armenia's rural areas, border communities in particular, due to the lack of developed infrastructure and income-generation initiatives.

The development of SMEs is a vital component of UNDP Armenia's efforts to promote economic growth in the country. Our programs aim to foster a vibrant, confident, and innovative private sector, whose continued productivity can well take the Armenian economy to the next level of sustainable development. Toward this goal, UNDP Armenia seeks to partner with Diaspora individuals and institutions to invest in various initiatives, such as professional education, specialized training, etc.

To achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals and help significantly reduce poverty in Armenia, UNDP Armenia aims at introducing innovative income-generation mechanisms and opportunities. To optimize the impact of its programs in private sector development, UNDP Armenia collaborates with key Armenian institutions, Diaspora donors, organizations, and communities, as well as various world agencies and governments.