A significant new project has been launched as part of the Menq & Moonq humanitarian program. This initiative aims to effectively showcase the products of start-up entrepreneurs from Artsakh and boost their sales. The program currently supports 37 entrepreneurs, with 20 already prepared to participate in the upcoming Christmas fairs in the Tavush and Syunik regions.
Photographer Sonya Malkhasyan was once an English teacher in Stepanakert. Now based in Goris, she has turned her focus to photography. The aspiring entrepreneur from Artsakh has been searching for a program that could help her grow her emerging business project. “I handle everything myself: managing social media, selecting locations and models, and organizing their outfits. Now, I want to gain knowledge in marketing to further develop my ideas and establish my own photo studio,” says Sonya. When the Menq & Moonq program announced open call for participants in Goris, Sonya was among the first to apply. “I can manage everything on my own; I just need to learn more about marketing.”
The “Support for Artsakh Businesses” initiative, part of the Menq & Moonq humanitarian program, aims to promote and present products created by startup entrepreneurs while increasing sales. Individuals or businesses displaced from Artsakh and currently residing in the Gegharkunik, Tavush or Syunik regions could apply to the program.
Support includes a short course on entrepreneurship basics, sales organization, and accounting fundamentals. The online course lasts two hours, twice a week, allowing participants to discuss their questions with a specialist and receive comprehensive answers. Trainer and marketer Raisa Aghabekyan states, “We cover various topics, such as how to summarize a business in one sentence and how to create engaging social media content.” She adds, “We began with basic concepts; for example, participants initially didn’t use hashtags, but now they’ve developed their own. We also rebranded some businesses’ social media pages to make them more impactful and informative.”
Another form of support involves business consulting, where individual entrepreneurial projects are assessed, and tailored development models are proposed.
Each of the 37 participants receiving support in marketing and communication brings a unique perspective, infused with the rich culture of Artsakh. For instance, Nakhshun Avagyan, who has relocated to Hrazdan, paints landscapes of Artsakh on bags, aprons, and hats.
Twenty participants from the course are already prepared to showcase their products at the New Year fairs in Goris and Dilijan, with 14 and 5 attendees respectively. All marketing and participation expenses will be covered by the Menq & Moonq program.
The Menq & Moonq program is financed by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) in partnership with Sign of Hope (SoH). The project is implemented by the Development Principles NGO.