In April 2023, Impact Hub Yerevan Social Innovation Development Foundation officially launched the “Labs for Change: Empowering Women for Social Innovation & Creativity in Regions” project. It is funded with UK aid from the British people and implemented in collaboration with the Fashion and Design Chamber of Armenia and the Dilijan-based artisanal platform, Made-vel-e. Regional Post interviewed the organizers and beneficiaries of the project, to learn more about its activities and the added value it creates.
Text : Hena Aposhian
Photo : Labs for Change
Needle lace workshop at CRELAB Tavush
The ecosystem of social change
Just a two-minute walk from the Sasuntsi Davit metro station, you are standing in front of Impact Hub Yerevan – Armenia’s first community-based coworking space dedicated to fostering social change and innovation. “We wanted to create an ecosystem that promotes social entrepreneurship and innovation and also build a community of impactful people (changemakers),” explains Gevorg Poghosyan, the CEO of Impact Hub Yerevan.
Today, Impact Hub Yerevan operates 15-16 programs simultaneously, several of which support women. Since its establishment in 2015, female empowerment has been a critical focus for Impact Hub Yerevan as it strives to advance society.
In many regions of Armenia, women face limited opportunities in education, employment, and decision-making processes. Impact Hub Yerevan has taken on the challenge of addressing these issues, encouraging and supporting women as they launch their initiatives. This support includes building soft and technical skills, providing access to networks, and offering personalized mentorship programs tailored to their industries. “We want to change stereotypical mindsets. Thus, we have numerous women-empowering programs, events, and activities. This mindset change isn’t something you can achieve in a single workshop. It’s an ongoing process in everything we do,” says Gevorg Poghosyan, adding, “Labs for Change project is an illustration of this approach, realizing these objectives through three CRELAB centers.”
The project’s implementing parties established centers in three regions. Impact Hub launched the CRELAB in the Shirak region (Gyumri). The Fashion and Design Chamber of Armenia set up a center in the Kotayk region (Dzoraghbyur). Meanwhile, Made-vel-e opened a center in the Tavush (Dilijan).
By establishing CRELABs as future social enterprises in these three regions, the project engages many women from small communities, equipping them with essential skills and support for effective management and community building. CRELABs provide training, skills, and knowledge to participants, supporting them in creating marketable products. The project aims to ensure the full cycle, starting from the skills, knowledge, product design, promotion of the products, and so on.
Offering more than conventional education, the main goal of creating CRELABs is to establish sustainable institutions that will continue empowering women even after the project ends.
Creativity in practice
According to the UK Ambassador to Armenia, John Gallagher, “The establishment of CRELABs holds significant potential for catalyzing social progress, economic growth, and sustainable development in the supported regions.
By fostering a vibrant creative sector and empowering women through entrepreneurship, the project aims to significantly reduce poverty and social/gender inequality.
” He further explains that UK assistance seeks to bolster Armenia’s resilience and stability while fostering a transition toward transparent, democratic governance and inclusive economic development. “Armenia can only succeed if its citizens believe they have opportunities to achieve their personal aspirations and participate in initiatives to support the country. The CRELAB centers are designed to create a nurturing and empowering environment.”
The main idea behind the project’s concept is “Creativity in practice.” CRELABs empower participants to be creative and teach them to bring their innovative ideas to life practically while ensuring high quality. CRELABs cater to women committed to building new lives and careers. While each center has a core focus (digital design in Shirak, fashion textiles in Kotayk, and sustainable handicrafts in Tavush) they remain flexible, adapting training to meet individual needs. Recently, CRELABs introduced a tailored curriculum focused on rapid skills acquisition and knowledge building for people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. The project adapted its activities and workshops to align with their backgrounds and the market demands. While these women can still participate in the existing design, marketing, and other workshops, CRELAB has also curated special offerings like catering and sewing courses. These workshops equip them with the immediate technical skills needed to support their business endeavors.
Visualization course within Graphic Design training series at CRELAB Shirak
Regions for change
When speaking of CRELAB Kotayk, Vahan Khachatryan, the President of the Fashion and Design Chamber of Armenia NGO, describes it as a “Hub where girls and women explore textiles and fashion, learning new skills and embracing exciting opportunities to showcase their talents. With over 80 participants, each departing with high satisfaction, it truly embodies a fulfilling experience.”
Lusine Machkalyan, a local participant from Abovyan City who participates in CRELAB Kotayk’s training sessions, has a small clothing store where she would like to have a local production. “I always prioritized self-education, and when I learned about the project, I needed to give it a shot,” says Lusine, “I needed to understand how the system works, learn how to sew, etc. Thus, I decided to participate in the sewing course.” Before the project, she never sat before a sewing machine, but now she feels much more confident.”
When it comes to CRELAB Tavush, Natacha Kalfayan, the founder of “Made-Vel-e” artisanal platform defines its primary goal as “To nurture inclusivity and foster a self-reliant community. We aim to craft premium handmade goods and spotlight the expertise of artisans we mentor, support, and collaborate with.” She further continues that amidst the digital era, they emphasize the significance of reclaiming and safeguarding artisanal skills, occasionally infusing them with contemporary techniques. This approach facilitates the seamless transfer of historical traditions, cultural heritage, and invaluable expertise to future generations. “Our exploration of artisanal avenues knows no bounds – if it can be crafted by hand, we pursue it passionately,” says Natacha.
Business canvas modeling session at CRELAB Shirak
Arpine Israelyan, attending the workshops at CRELAB Tavush, says “The most interesting moment is the direct contact with the trainers and the other participants. We feel at home and enjoy coming to all the classes. It is a wonderful experience, allowing us to express our thoughts and skills freely.”
The Regional Coordinator of CRELAB Shirak, Mariam Zakarian, in turn, says that their focus is cultivating uniqueness through a creative approach to foster a shift in mindset. “We aim to nurture problem-solving abilities, encourage individual approaches, and empower participants to utilize their skills for personal development and enhancement. Moreover, we strive to address their weaknesses and provide tailored guidance based on their unique skill sets.”
Narine Galstyan, a painter and a single mother of two displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, paints on tableware and eco bags and makes textile products. CRELAB Shirak is where she managed to fulfill her passion for photography. “I learned how to use the natural light better, and now I can make beautiful photos of my own products. I’m sure that if I continue participating in similar projects, my business will definitely benefit.”
Filling in the gaps
Impact Hub Yerevan takes a broader view with “Labs for Change,” using the project to equip women with skills and help them understand and address the systemic challenges hindering their economic participation across the three regions. “One of the key outcomes of this project is the identification of needs and the development of appropriate solutions,” states Mr. Poghosyan.
According to Mr. Gallagher, this data-driven approach allows the development of efficient solutions for female beneficiaries. The analysis involves a comprehensive research methodology, incorporating focus groups, meetings, and interviews with women in each region. The research has revealed that while all three regions face challenges, there are also distinct gaps and obstacles specific to each community. Through its research findings, Impact Hub Yerevan will leverage the data and tailor recommendations for policy improvement to serve as powerful advocacy tools for regional and national change.
Sewing workshop at CRELAB Kotayk
* This project was funded with UK aid from the British people. This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
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