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Latest News
2 September 2010
The official opening ceremony of the computer training centre situated in the community centre of Shenik village of Armavir marz was held on the 1st of September.
Orange-Armenia Company has supported the implementation of this project with necessary computers and super-speed internet. The centre has been thoroughly renovated and furnished with the joint efforts of Shen and the community. The community medical aid post which is situated in the same building has also been renovated.
With the 1st of September being the Day of Knowledge in Armenia, the first-grade school-children received presents from Orange-Armenia, and the library situated in the same building received 300 pieces of fiction books which had been collected by Orange and Shen employees.
The following were present at the opening ceremony – the Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of France Telecom/Orange group Mr Mark Fossier, the CEO of Orange-Armenia Mr Bruno Dutoit, a representative of Shen-France Mr Hrayr Hrachian, all the population of the community.
Right after the opening ceremony one of the community members, a highly qualified IT specialist Yervand Ayvazyan, started his work as a system administrator of the computer centre.
9 August 2010
A field seminar on "Organic agriculture and ecology" was held by Shen NGO one of these days in Dprabak community of Gegharkunik marz. The seminar was organised in the frame of project of "Introduction of sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation practices in Dprabak community of Gegharkunik region" funded by UNDP Armenia GEF SGP. The training was planned for 7-11 grade students of 6 communities of Chambarak region. The field-seminar was held in the organic community orchard of Dprabak aiming to present the pilot project of establishing a community unit to the youth of Dprabak and neighbouring communities.
During the seminar Shen NGO specialists presented reports on "Organic agriculture as a prospective direction", "Production of biohumus and preparation of compost mix", "Mechanisms of diagnosing domestic animals". During the second half of the seminar all participants took part in the preparation of a compost mix on the orchard using red Californian worms.
The example of Dprabak community orchard pilot project will not only contribute towards the sustainability and social development of communities, but also will indirectly link the rural youth to with communities.
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"Aniv" Universal Credit Organisation
Updated on January 5, 2010
As a step towards supporting small and medium enterprises in rural Armenia, in 2000 we have launched a lending program through "Aniv" Rural Small Business Support Foundation. The initial capital of the Foundation was formed by IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Rural Services Development Program through the Government of Armenia and Shen. As in other activities, we were offering technical assistance and advice to our borrowers as well as close monitoring for early detection of possible problems.
The goal of the revolving Fund (Aniv means "wheel" in Armenian) was to create employment and prevent emigration from Armenia by providing up to USD 15,000 loans to rural enterprises to start agricultural processing facilities, small and medium production enterprises and services. People from poorer communities who did not have access to bank credits due to high interest rates and tough collateral requirements, were "Aniv" Foundation clients. Aniv Foundation was active in Shirak, Lori, Aragatsotn, Tavush, Vayots Dzor and Syunik marzes. By 2005 over 350 loans have been disbursed with the total sum of USD 3,4 million, at 12% annual rate and 3 years period, 1500 sustainable work places have been created.
In 2006 the Government of Armenia decided that foundations could no more engage in crediting and had to register credit organizations to continue their activities. In October, 2008 Aniv Foundation, has applied to the Central Bank of the RA and "Aniv" Universal Credit Organisation was registered and is already active in Syunik, Aragatsotn and Tavush marzes.
In April 2009 the contract was signed between MCA-Armenia and UCO "Aniv" to implement the MCA-Armenia credit component. This credit component is a part of MCA-Armenia Water-to-Market project which aims to provide technical assistance to farmers by transition of knowledge and new technologies, as well as to provide agricultural loans to beneficiary farmers.
A small hydro power station built on Aniv loan in Tavush region.
Oak casks and barrels produced by Hayk Isakhanyan on Aniv loan have a great demand.
Samvel Hunanyan has received his second loan from Aniv Fund to enlarge his Swiss cheese production in Stepanavan.
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