The Tufenkian Foundation launched a joint initiative to help residents in the village of Svarants, near the Tatev Monastery, boost their livelihoods by farming chickens and eggs. Through this program, participating families will be able to generate a stable income, producing a steady supply of eggs, chicks, and chickens for sale and consumption by the families.
The initiative is part of EU and NEF Belgium co-funded “STRIVE” program’s joint actions and Tufenkian’s Syunik Village Revitalization Program. In addition to helping residents in Svarants become more resilient, this initiative will also contribute to the wider economy of the Tatev Municipality, addressing the increasing demand for locally produced eggs.
"Through the STRIVE program, we support joint actions aimed at generating positive evidence of the potential of cross-sectoral cooperation for participatory community development. We are pleased to partner with the Tufenkian Foundation to promote local development in the Syunik region and support displaced families by providing them with income generation opportunities through farming", said Arpine Baghdoyan, Country Director at NEF (Near East Foundation) Armenia and Program Director of “STRIVE”.
The program will provide chicken coops, incubators, and starter hens and roosters to participating families. In addition, villagers will be trained in poultry care, farm management, and gaining market access.
“This initiative is not just about poultry farming — it’s about empowering rural families with the tools and skills to help them achieve economic independence,” said Greg Bedian, Director of Operations at the Tufenkian Foundation. “By investing in sustainable agriculture, we are taking another step toward revitalizing rural communities in Syunik.”
“STRIVE for a better future: communities and civil society resilience in Armenia” program is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by NEF-Belgium (NEF) and four local partners: “Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities NGO, “Blejan” Ecological, Social, Business Support NGO, ''WINNET Goris'' Development Foundation and “YCCD” Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan NGO.
Tufenkian’s Syunik Village Revitalization Program seeks to provide homes, hope, and opportunity to the villagers of rural Syunik and the displaced villagers from Artsakh. By investing in physical, social, and economic infrastructure, and by rebuilding village populations through the resettlement of displaced villagers from Artsakh, this program aims to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for rural Syunik. This program is funded through the generous support of Tufenkian’s partner organizations and private donors.