For Immediate Release
August 30, 2007

1992–2007: Celebrating 15 years of nation-building in Armenia and Karabakh

ARMENIA FUND 2001–2006

NEW YORK, New York — The year 2007 marks the 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund, a pillar organization created after Armenia’s independence and mandated with the vital task of uniting all Armenians around the world to direct efforts toward development and revival of the nation. For 15 years, the Fund, with its international affiliates across the globe, has touched countless lives in Armenia and Karabakh. Combining aid, development and direct investment, Armenia Fund has engaged Armenia’s leaders, its people and the worldwide Diaspora to promote education, create jobs, improve public health and develop infrastructure, among other critical humanitarian needs. Today, Armenia Fund’s contributions to social and economic prosperity of Armenia and Karabakh are unprecedented.

The 15th Anniversary of Armenia Fund is a celebration of the past, present and future of the Armenian people. It is a celebration of overcoming challenges by working together. Above all, it is a celebration of humanity, courage and hope.

ARMENIA FUND 2001 – 2006

“Build a New Horizon” dubbed Armenia Fund’s 2005 International Thanksgiving Telethon. It was, however, more than just a slogan. The campaign was a call of confidence for new directions that the organization was taking to better address pressing needs of development in Armenia and Karabakh.

Armenia Fund was established out of a need to meet day-to-day challenges of newly independent Armenia. The organization’s proactive approach to development that ranged from providing shelter for those left without home to rebuilding schools and water supply systems of vulnerable communities gradually expanded its mission, reach and impact.

Having completed over 250 humanitarian and development projects by 2003, Armenia Fund brought regional development and investment in economic revitalization at the forefront of its activities. Years 2003-2006 were most decisive: the Fund adopted a policy to go “beyond bricks and mortar” and focused on long-term solutions for sustainable economic growth. The Fund also expanded its cooperation with different like-minded organizations and self-governing entities in Armenia and Karabakh. By 2004, over 100 such non-governmental organizations were working with Armenia Fund, further enhancing civil society involvement in Armenia’s day-to-day social and economic life.

Basic care at the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic in Stepanakert is provided free of charge

The year 2005 was full of bold initiatives, and, most importantly, marked a major shift from funding separate large-scale infrastructure projects to investing in regional development. Over years, Armenia Fund had successfully completed over a dozen landmark projects – be it in public health, education or economic infrastructure. The two major highways linking the region at most important crossroads, or the state-of-the-art Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center of Stepanakert, which has the unique distinction of being the only medical facility in the region that the population can rely on in case of medical emergencies and for preventive care, all have had a measurable impact on improving daily lives of the people in Armenia and Karabakh.

Agricultural Initiative in Karabakh helps farmers increase their agricultural productivity and generate income

With such viable infrastructure in place, the economy of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh still needed a boost to reduce poverty in the country and open new roads toward sustainable economic growth. This is why Armenia Fund launched the Rebirth of Artsakh Regional Development Program in 2005. The main components of this comprehensive plan – agriculture, housing, medical facilities, roads and schools, were designed to invest in the economy of rural areas. Since the economy of Karabakh is so much dependent on agriculture, the Agricultural Initiative provided critically needed support to subsistence farmers to help them move from mere existence to self-sufficiency and economic mobility.

Starting in 2006, Agricultural Development Associations (ADAs) were established throughout the Mardakert and Hadrut regions of Karabakh. These set up facilities to own, maintain and operate various types of farm equipment and provide mechanized services to farmers to work the land at affordable rates. The ADAs provided technology packages including access to farm equipment (tractors, harvesters, haying) along with other support elements such as fertilizer, plus training in farm management and animal husbandry.

Agricultural Development Associations have improved family income of member farmers by at least 50%

The unique success of Armenia Fund’s Agricultural Initiative was widely recognized throughout Armenia and Karabakh, and currently efforts are made to replicate the same cluster model development in other regions. By 2006, Armenia Fund had set the stage for a new development approach and a broader vision for eradicating rural poverty.

“Growing up” with Armenia since its independence, Armenia Fund has developed into a structure that is now not concerned with Armenia’s day-to-day survival. Today, the Fund is called upon to respond to urgent economic needs of a dynamic country where development needs to reach to every segment of the society, and where each undertaking needs to be turned into a renewed opportunity and investment in the people.

Over the past 15 years, Armenia Fund has invested more than $170 million in sustainable development in Armenia and Karabakh. This makes the Fund the largest contributor to critical infrastructure projects in all aspects of social and economic activity. Securing long-term development solutions, the Fund has had an outstanding impact on the lives of countless citizens of Armenia and Karabakh. Armenia Fund has evolved over the years into an organization that has an unprecedented track record of affecting change. In recognition to its development work, Armenia Fund was accredited to the United Nations in spring of 2006, as one of the most credible international organizations working in Armenia and Karabakh.

To recognize and thank the Diaspora for its 15 years of continuous support to Armenia and Karabakh, Armenia Fund will hold a 15th Anniversary Gala Banquet at the United Nations on October 6, 2007. Join Armenia Fund as it celebrates the tenacity of the Armenian people and strength of the Armenian Diaspora!

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.