SME support programme for forcibly displaced Nagorno-Karbaakh  Armenians launched in Armenia 

ArmInfo. The program "Mapping, informing and developing the potential of micro and small businesses (MSB) of forcibly displaced Artsakh residents" has been launched in  Armenia. This was reported by the Public Organization "Union for the  Protection of the Interests and Rights of the People of Artsakh  (Artsakh Union).

According to the initiators, the program is aimed at strengthening  the economic sustainability and stimulating the growth of  enterprises, promoting the creation of new partnerships and business  ties, as well as developing management skills taking into account the  needs of the participants. The program provides for training and  business consultations, as well as financial support for the most  successful participants. The program will last from May 2025 to  January 2026.

"Only 30 selected participants will receive the full support package.  The rest, included in the database, will regularly receive  information about support and development opportunities," the  statement said.

According to the source, forcibly displaced Artsakh residents who are  currently engaged in entrepreneurial activity in Armenia, have up to  20 employees and whose average monthly turnover does not exceed 12.5  million drams ($32.3 thousand - ed.) can participate in the program.  Applications for participation are accepted until June 8.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan, under the pretext of an  "anti-terrorist operation," committed another act of aggression  against Artsakh. This was preceded by an almost 10-month blockade of  the unrecognized republic. Since the enemy aggression that began in  the fall of 2020, which in September 2023 ended with the complete  ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, over 150 thousand Artsakh residents have  lost their homeland and become refugees.