2017 - 2019: Completed Projects
The EU-funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project was implemented by the Armenian Bar Association in partnership with Agora Central Europe NGO (Czech Republic), the Armenian Center for Democratic Education (CIVITAS), the International Center for Human Development, the SME Cooperation Association, and the Union of Communities of Armenia. The duration of the program was 34 months.
The main goal of the project was to strengthen the influence of civil society organizations (CSOs) and CSO coalitions and develop public policies in 9 target areas. The separate goals of CSOs were to:
- Strengthen the capacity to build coalitions
- Strengthen CSO participation in public policy-making processes
- Identify challenges in target areas
- Develop appropriate policies
The target areas of the project were: justice, human rights, education, the social sector (social inclusion of children with disabilities), business, public finance management, agriculture, energy, and the economy.
The project was implemented from 2017 to 2019.
"Entrepreneurship Skills Development, Coaching, and Incubation.” Training and financing for start-up entrepreneurs.
For this program, the SME Association — in partnership with the IAB Center — developed beginner training modules and business application forms, and carried out the business incubation for those who received funding.
Within the framework of the EUROCHAMBRES EastInvest2 project, public-private sector organizations underwent one-week trainings on public-private dialogue. The trainings were held in Minsk, Belarus․
Funded by the EUROCHAMBRES EastInvest2 program, the SME Exchange Program with the Estonian SME Association studied legislation related to SMEs.
The Association developed and organized a two-day awareness course on the provisions of the SME tax code, which was instituted in January 2018
In Kiev, Ukraine — and funded by EUROCHAMBRES as part of the EastInvest2 program — the Association worked to summarize common challenges among SMEs in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Azerbaijan. A joint document was drafted. The Association presented on challenges related to the Eurasian Customs Union.
2016: Completed Projects
Courses for economics students at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia
The Association developed the course, “The Role of Business Associations/Unions in Economic Policy Development.”
At the Pan-Armenian Forum for Young Entrepreneurs, organized by the Union of young employers of Yerevan and surrounding regions, the Association developed and presented at the seminar on tax incentives. In addition, the Association moderated the workshop on investments in Armenia
Funded by the EU and as part of the Armenian Bar Association’s anti-corruption measures, the Association identified and developed a document on corruption risks in the business sector. Round tables were organized and the document was presented to stakeholders, including government agencies. Many of the issues in the document were included in the SRC Anti-Corruption Measures Strategy document a year later.
Initiated by the EBRD Business Support Office, the Association co-sponsored and presented the "SME Tax Field Analysis for 2013-15.”
Funded by GIZ, "Economic Opportunity Week" was a series of events dedicated to Syrian-Armenian businessmen operating in Armenia. As part of this week, the Association developed and presented a training seminar on tax legislation opportunities and opportunities for participation in public procurement․
Initiated by the Young Employers' Union of Yerevan and its surrounding regions, the Association developed and presented "Student as a Future Entrepreneur" courses on business registration, tax planning, and operations.
Funded by EUROCHAMBRES as part of the EastInvest2 program, the Association organized a one-week EU4Business event in Yerevan. The event was dedicated to improving business-private sector dialogue and developing the capacity of business interests.
As part of “Start-Up Europe Week,” the Enterprise Incubator Foundation organized “Start-Up Entrepreneurship Week.” As part of this program, the Association developed the course "Opportunities for Start-Up Entrepreneurs" and introduced its stakeholders.
The SME-DNC financed and organized B2B sector meetings between Syrian-Armenian start-up businessmen and experienced local businessmen in the food and beverage and automobile services sectors. Led by the Association, cooperation agreements were signed with menu.am, gutap.am, and other supplier-purchaser organizations.
2015: Completed Projects
Funded by the Civil Society Institute NGO, the Association developed a two-day “How to Start a Business” training course for women serving alternative sentences.
As part of the Armenian Bar Association’s anti-corruption initiatives — and funded by the EU — the Association presented on the role of BSOs in the fight against corruption. The presentation included real world experience and successful examples from local organizations.
ՀՀ սպորտի և երիտասարդության հարցերի նախարարության «Երիտասարդական միջոցառումների իրականացման» ՊՈԱԿ-ի ֆինանսավորմամբ իրականացվեց մարզերի երիտասարդների համար Երիտասարդների Ձեռնարկատիրական գործունեության խթանում դասընթացը: Ասոցիացիան մշակեց ձեռնարկատիրական գործունեության իրկանացման համար իրավական դաշտի դասընթացի մոդուլը: Այնուհետև իրականացվեց երկօրյա դասընթաց շահառուների համար:
In partnership with the SME DNC and EBRD Business Support Office, the Association developed the concept for a new National Business Incubator in Armenia. The concept was presented to stakeholders in September 2015, and an amended version was later presented to the SME Development Council under the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
At the first Congress of Young Entrepreneurs in CIS countries, Armenia was represented by the SME Association and the Union of Young Employers. The goal of the Congress was to present common problems faced by the countries and to create new platforms for cooperation. During the four-day conference, a joint document was created for further collaboration.
Organizing FREE legislative awareness campaigns is one of the main statutory goals of the Association and is a mandatory annual event. Modules, newsletters, and presentations are developed in advance. Modules are developed to be easy to understand, using simple language rather than complex legal terms.
The campaign is first held in the regions then in the capital through a series of meetings. The Association has also conducted awareness seminars at fairs and other venues.
For the first time in Armenia, with the help of the EBRD Business Support Office, a free bilingual online course was created on how to start a business in Armenia.
