Help for Armenia

We help the people of Armenia to use "green energy" in order to fight poverty in the poorest regions. In a supraregional project, Hilfswerk International is also helping to make social work more professional. Thus, we reach socially vulnerable groups of people in Armenia and help them on their way to a better future.

Hilfswerk International creates low-threshold conditions for sustainable development in Armenia through "green energy". This contributes directly to poverty reduction in the Shirak region of Armenia. Renewable energy applications (such as solar-powered systems for irrigation and hot water treatment, biogas plants) are funded for private and public use. In addition, "green" income opportunities (for example greenhouses with heat pumps to extend the harvest season) are created. Information activities for local authorities and other stakeholder groups on low-carbon technologies are also being carried out in order to provide the best possible and comprehensive information on socio-economic problems.

Social work developed in response to these problems and was initially supported by individual NGOs. In the field of social work there is still a lack of regulatory standards and sustainable funding structures in the countries of South Caucasus. Local social organizations and associations need professional support and training in order to be able to alleviate the numerous problems through targeted support.

Hilfswerk International supports social associations and local organizations through training and regional exchange during strategy work and organizational development. Through joint regional information campaigns and events, we contribute to raising public awareness. In order to strengthen social work, the promotion of smaller social projects by local associations and social service providers is also important.

By strengthening and developing professional social work, we promote better and more targeted support for people in need in South Caucasus.

High unemployment is attributable to a weak infrastructure, poor irrigation and obsolete technologies. There is no money for investments – but also not enough knowledge about what investments make sense. Many, especially young people, migrate to the cities.

Our experienced local partners know the situation in the villages very well. They know what steps are necessary to help the concerned families to regain their own destiny. In cooperatives, we help farmers to share their experiences, to learn new methods in agriculture, and to procure modern equipment for milk collection and cheese production. In this way, sufficient money is to be made in order to be able to buy goods of everyday needs, school books for the children or warm winter clothes without debts.

Hilfswerk International helps the female farmers through training courses in environmentally friendly, sustainable and efficient agriculture as well as in the establishment of milk and cheese cooperatives. We support measures to strengthen cooperation with local supermarkets, but also with local decision makers, authorities and companies.