ArmInfo. The winners of the Galvanizing Diaspora program initiated by the Hayastan 2041 Foundation were announced in Yerevan. During a press conference at the Matenadaran today, the Armenian 2041 Foundation announced the ten winning initiatives of the Galvanizing Diaspora program.
Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to support projects aimed at preserving the Armenian heritage and strengthening Armenian communities. Launched in 2023, the Galvanizing Diaspora program aims to foster the preservation of the Armenian heritage, promote Armenian culture, create professional development opportunities for youth, strengthen the connection between Armenia and the Diaspora, and support the programs facilitating cooperation between Armenian communities.
The program received 174 grant applications from 91 cities in 26 countries, ranging from the U.S. to Lebanon, and from Australia to Argentina. As part of the program, the authors of the top 20 proposals, submitted by individuals, groups, or organizations, has had the opportunity to develop their concepts with support from experts in a variety of fields.
During the press-conference, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of the Armenia 2041 Foundation stated that through grants, they aim to galvanize the Armenian Diaspora and inspire members of their community who have innovative ideas but require empowerment to bring them to fruition. When asked whether they intend to continue the initiatives, Afeyan emphasized that the Foundation has no reason not to continue the work that has begun.
When ArmInfo asked him to also share a bit about the Afeyan Family Foundation, which recently provided assistance to Artsakh, the philanthropist mentioned that their family foundation has been in operation for 20 years. "Our foundation has been around for a while, but we have never had a presence in Armenia. However, the challenges faced by the people of Artsakh prompted us to open a branch in Yerevan. We do not simply give out money, we implement development programs and plan to continue doing so, including for the people of Artsakh," Afeyan concluded.
The following initiatives received the grant: Azad 3D: 3D-Printed Devices for Independent Living Inc. (New York, USA); Bridging Cultures and Building Networks at Stanford (Armenian Student Association of Stanford University - Stanford, USA); A Documentary film: Armenia and Diaspora Joining Forces to Save the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem (Artem Yerkanyan - Yerevan, Armenia); Echoes of Artsakh: The Forgotten Music of Armenian Ancestors (David Harutyunyan - Paris, France), Heritage Rewoven: Exploring Armenian Textile Traditions with Contemporary Artists (Social Entrepreneurship "OCHRE" - Yerevan, Armenia); Learn Armenian Culture and History through Gameplay "Koreez" (Educational Program LLC - Yerevan, Armenia); Mapping Memory: Re-inscribing the Armenian Intellectual Legacy in Istanbul (Hrant Dink Foundation - Istanbul, Turkey); Mentorship Program (Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) - Glendale, USA); "My Language Is My Identity!" Armenian Alphabet in a Geneva Park (Ruzanna Tarverdyan - Geneva, Switzerland) and The Road: Platform for Diaspora Reseach (Alexander V. Gevorgyan - New York, USA). The projects are to be completed within 18 months, by spring 2026.