On March 19 in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs the signing ceremony of the grant project for Establishing Social Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Center to Support Vulnerable People in Dilijan agreement between the Embassy of Japan in Armenia and the Union of Communities of Armenia took place with the participation of the acting mayor of Dilijan Davit Sargsyan.

The partners of the project called “Establishing Social Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Center to Support Vulnerable People in Dilijan” are “Armenian Lawyers’ Association”, “The Association of Social Enterprises of Armenia”, “Intercultural Research and Development” center, YSU Entrepreneurship Development Centre.

The launching of the prօject took place. Within the framework of the program, a social entrepreneurship and vocational training center will be established in Dilijan for vulnerable people, particularly people with disabilities.

Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Jun Yamada emphasized the importance of social enterprises in creating a sustainable future, identifying them as key organizations that promote the well-being of citizens. The Ambassador particularly noted: “The Landromat-café to be established in Dilijan with great tourism potential aims to create sustainable employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This unique center will serve as an example of social entrepreneurship, as a center for knowledge exchange and training. As a result, the program will have more than 360 beneficiaries a year”.

The president of the Union of Communities of Armenia Emin Yeritsyan expressed confidence that the initiative will be successful, as the most experienced in the field are included in the program. Emin Yeritsyan particularly noted. "The program aspires to become a model. In case of operating in Tavush, Dilijan, the cooperation between state and local "professional bodies" can become animated and spread to other regions".

The minister of Labor and Social Affairs Rouben Sargsyan expressed hope that the Dilijan-based center will facilitate post-employment work with people uncompetitive in the labor market by acquiring professional skills and creating new opportunities to find sustainable employment.

The parties expressed hope that the project “Establishing Social Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Center to Support Vulnerable People in Dilijan” developed by the Union of Communities of Armenia will be an effective step for the sustainable community development of Armenia.