The program “Increased Resilience of Syrian Armenians and Host Population” is being implemented by a consortium consisting of the Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO, Armenian Red Cross Society, Centre for Coordination of Syrian Armenian Issues NGO, SME Cooperation Association, and led by the Austrian Red Cross. Save the Children is an associate partner to the program.

The IRIS program is funded by the EU Regional Trust Fund (MADAD), established in response to the Syrian crisis; the Austrian Development Cooperation; and the Austrian Red Cross.

The overall goal of the program is to contribute to the improvement of the nation’s integration policy, which aims to ensure a dignified life for Syrian-Armenians in Armenia through support and integration.

The goal of the program is to improve the socioeconomic stability of Syrian-Armenians and locals and to strengthen the institutional capacity for economic growth in Armenia.

Within the framework of the economic integration component of the project, the SME Cooperation Association — in cooperation with Armenian Caritas — established the IRIS Business Incubator in Yerevan.

IRIS Business Incubator aims to facilitate the sustainable development of future generations of start-up companies, and strives to promote the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Armenia through innovative approaches. IRIS Business Incubator provides a full range of business development services to Syrian-Armenian and local entrepreneurs, including training, coaching, mentoring, and financing through grants and loans. IRIS Business Incubator’s vision is to become a national business incubator for start-ups in Armenia․ The main purpose of the incubator is to create and develop sustainable, competitive SMEs by supporting entrepreneurs’ business ideas and bringing them to market.