Our sustainable economic development program at COAF is a driving force behind the transformation of rural areas, fostering robust business ventures and infrastructure growth. We conduct comprehensive assessments and work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders to unlock competitive advantages and untapped investment opportunities. Our tailor-made projects are meticulously crafted to address the unique needs of each community, paving the way for a prosperous and self-sustaining future.
In the heart of rural Armenia lies a profound opportunity for transformation — a chance to foster sustainable growth and empower a passionate citizenry. Embracing this vision is Concept by COAF in the Lori region, Armenia’s biggest social enterprise, which channels our efforts towards harnessing the region’s abundant natural resources, with a particular focus on advancing its burgeoning tourism sector.
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape of Lori, the Concept Hotel reflects the breathtaking beauty of the region, harmoniously blending contemporary design with the allure of nature.
With our recent expansion, Concept by COAF now boasts an impressive Conference Center, featuring spacious meeting rooms and sprawling outdoor spaces, designed to host your next business or social event in style. Elevating your experience further, our on-site Concept Restaurant and full-service bar present a delightful fusion of Armenian cuisine, thoughtfully prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, as well as a tantalizing array of international culinary delights.
Nestled conveniently along the M6 highway, bridging the gap between Vanadzor and the Georgian border, our all-encompassing destination is poised to cater to your every wanderlust need. From immersing in the region’s vibrant culture to embarking on thrilling adventures, our center offers a perfect blend of convenience and excitement.
Fuel your senses at our cozy roadside café, arm yourself with essential travel insights, and embrace the outdoors with amenities designed for hiking, biking, electric vehicle charging, and parking. Your journey to Armenia’s enchanting north begins here, where discovery and wonder merge, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
COAF rural MSE development projects focus on the development of diverse value chains within a village, cluster of villages, or a region. Each COAF village undergoes a thorough assessment and evaluation process to identify competitive advantages and investment opportunities. Specialized know-how, skills training, and consulting provide local businesses with continuous opportunities for product development. Entrepreneurs also receive support in branding, marketing, sales, and acquiring finance skills to effectively manage and operate their businesses.
Nestled in the picturesque Lori region, Debet is a small village, with roughly 700 residents, and home to the COAF SMART Center. By implementing a series of infrastructure and business development projects, we are not only improving village life but also addressing demographic population decline, encouraging community engagement, and paving the way for a thriving and self-sustaining Debet village. Here are some of the milestones we have achieved so far:
1. Large-scale renovations of the community’s Municipality building, providing modern working spaces
2. Supporting the establishment of “Debed Delights,” a gastronomy facility, offering social spaces & dinner options
3. Opening a beauty salon that empowers rural women through training in beauty practices & business management
4. Introduction of a postal service branch in collaboration with Armenia’s largest postal service, HayPost
5. Construction of a new bus stop with travel information, shelters, and safe boarding areas
6. Establishment of a modern library in Debet Municipality, encouraging community events and learning
At the forefront of innovation, COAF and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) united with a shared vision in October 2021, igniting a transformative journey in dairy production. Through our ambitious 4-year “CheeseUp” project, we are empowering small family farms to rise to new heights, crafting high-quality cheese that surpasses all expectations. From enriching farmland fertility to revolutionizing cheese plants with cutting-edge processing equipment, we’re leading the charge in advancing every aspect of rural cheese production.
Through an inspired collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), COAF has taken on the mission to transform Lori into a beacon of sustainable tourism. We are proud to launch this comprehensive initiative, designed to expand the region’s network of captivating hiking and multi-use trails, elevate the offerings of local hospitality and gastronomy services, and introduce new, eco-friendly attractions that seamlessly complement the region’s existing wonders.
Amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Lori region, a transformative buzz is taking flight – COAF’s BEES initiative (Beekeeping to Empower Economic Systems). We believe that nature holds the key to empowering communities, and through sustainable honey production, we are unlocking a world of opportunities. Our mission is to cultivate a thriving honey value chain, where the bees and environment flourish hand in hand, and the people of Lori reap the sweet rewards of sustainable employment and economic growth.
Through a groundbreaking collaboration with the UNDP in Armenia, COAF launched the groundbreaking “Sustainable Income Through Effective Household Management” initiative in 2020, fostering sustainable development within the raspberry value chain. By equipping 81 rural families with berry seedlings, upgraded drip irrigation systems, and comprehensive cultivation training, we have sparked a profound transformation. As a result, these enterprising families now generate a remarkable one-third of their income from raspberry sales.
In pursuit of a more sustainable and thriving Armenia, My Forest Armenia and COAF joined forces in 2019 to create a remarkable initiative: the establishment of a 1.5 ha forest nursery on our SMART Campus in Debet at an altitude of 3,280 feet. This visionary collaboration has not only empowered seven local workers with employment but has also been instrumental in planting a diverse array of oak, ash, maple (including an endangered species native to Armenia), pine, walnut, and horse chestnut trees.
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that employs community-led approaches aimed at improving the quality of life in rural Armenia, with particular focus on children and youth.
New York, USA
149 5th Ave., Suite 500
New York, NY 10010
+1 (212) 994-8234
coaf@coaf.org
Yerevan, Armenia
2/2 Melik Adamyan
Yerevan 0010, RA
+374 10 502076
Not-for-profit organization (#11-3579187). © 2005-2024 Children of Armenia Charitable Fund. All rights reserved.
