Beneficiaries Description:
Young people ages 18-35 residing in disadvantaged regions and rural settlements in Armenia. This includes both new entrepreneurs needing capital and existing YBA alumni requiring structured post-program support.
At least 15 mentors and 30 mentees will engage in the structured Mentoring Program.
At least 30 YBA alumni will participate in sector-specific study visits.
At least 80 YBA alumni and guests will attend the National YBA Summit.
At least 15 YBA alumni will showcase their businesses at the summit's expo.
Project Area: Around 50 communities, focusing on disadvantaged regions and rural settlements across all Armenia.
Project Goal: Since 2015, the Youth Business Armenia (YBA) program has empowered hundreds of young people to launch and grow small businesses across Armenia. While many alumni remain active, the 2026 project phase addresses two newly emerged critical needs: strengthening the sustainability of the YBA Revolving Loan Fund and enhancing post-program support to help alumni scale their businesses.
The goal of the project is to build a resilient, inclusive ecosystem for youth-led entrepreneurship in Armenia by reinforcing the YBA Revolving Loan Fund and launching a structured Alumni Support Initiative. This dual approach aims to strengthen the micro-business ecosystem, reduce economic vulnerability, and prevent cycles of poverty and migration in the most marginalized communities.
Project Objectives:
Restore Access to Capital: Replenish the Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest capital for new and underserved youth entrepreneurs, supporting job creation, economic security, and food self-sufficiency.
Provide Structured Mentoring: Offer experience-based guidance to emerging entrepreneurs through a peer mentoring model involving successful alumni mentors.
Facilitate Experiential Learning: Enhance technical and operational knowledge through peer-to-peer learning and sector-specific study visits.
Build Community and Network: Deepen knowledge on entrepreneurship and sustainability, and celebrate alumni achievements through a National YBA Summit.
