Economic development projects will be launched in the nine community
development programs throughout Armenia, signaling World Vision's increasing focus on economic development in the country. Currently, World Vision is in the final stage of conducting an assessment in
Armenia that will serve a basis for the new projects, which aim to bring financial opportunity to Armenia's poor and needy.
Approximately 51% of Armenia's population lives below the poverty
line, according to the World Bank.
'Our assessment has taken a critical look at our development approach and the future of both this country and the people we are serving. The economic
development programs that are resulting from this assessment will strengthen World Vision's efforts to tackle the financial hardship in Armenia in a more aggressive manner,' Prasanna de Silva,
ministry capacity and operations director of World Vision Armenia.
As the assessment phase concludes, World Vision is seeking potential opportunities and new initiatives for economic
development in Armenia. Each of the nine community development programs will launch pilot initiatives to serve as examples of good economic development practices. In addition, World Vision will seek
stronger partnerships with farm associations; increased cooperation with financial and agricultural companies; opportunities to facilitate training on new technology in various fields such as animal
breeding and land cultivation; and capacity building of the local government to ensure economic development activities are sustainable.
World Vision supports a Microfinance Institution
(MFI) in Armenia called SEF International, which will be involved in the economic development projects through providing loans to World Vision Armenia's direct beneficiaries, as it does now.
'Today Armenia has a rather stable economy and the social sector is undergoing serious reforms, so it is important for World Vision to target quality economic development programs at the
grass-root levels to bring lasting change to the lives of poor and needy,' says Mr. de Silva.
In past years, World Vision Armenia has focused on partnering with communities to assist in
various sectors, particularly relief, health and education.
World Vision Armenia plans to increase strategic partnerships with other agencies, such as the United States Department of
Agriculture. 'We are looking for strong partners to learn from and join to eradicate poverty in this country,' says Mr. de Silva.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
