MENQ & MOONQ

Menq moonq

Menq & Moonq Humanitarian Social Program

Menq & Moonq is a humanitarian social program aimed at supporting the people of Artsakh who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh and settled in the border regions of Armenia: Gegharkunik, Tavush and Syunik.

The program’s primary objectives are to foster social integration for Artsakh residents in their new communities, provide psychological support, unite Artsakh’s youth with their peers from local regions, and facilitate intergenerational dialogue.

This project 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.

Spanning 12 months and involving up to 1,500 beneficiaries, Menq & Moonq comprises five key initiatives.

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  1. Educational Two-Day Art Workshops

Eight two-day art workshops will be held in the Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Tavush regions, engaging youth aged 12-18 from both Artsakh and local communities. Participants will explore:

  • Clothing design and collage art
  • Photography and performing arts
  • Oral History: collecting traditional stories
  • Recipe Collection: focusing on regional cuisines
  • Music: exploring Armenian songs and melodies

Professional instructors will lead the workshops, with joint creations showcased on the program’s website and during the 2025 summer camp. Over 200 youth are expected to participate.

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2. Summer Camp

A week-long summer camp will bring together around 180 young people from Artsakh, Syunik, Tavush, and Gegharkunik regions. The camp will combine psychoeducational courses with engaging psychological games, fostering communication, resilience, and learning in a fun, interactive environment.

3. Signature Events: Craft Workshops
These workshops promote dialogue between generations and social integration by bringing together women from Artsakh (ages 12-90) and their children to engage in sewing, embroidery, and other crafts. Music will accompany the sessions, creating a lively atmosphere. Participants will receive sewing machines to potentially generate income. At least 60 participants are anticipated across six workshops.

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4. Psychoeducational Podcasts
 A series of  Psychoeducational podcasts are aimed at supporting displaced people of Artsakh, as well as all Armenians, to overcome the severe wounds of war, cope with war trauma, manage stress, and get back on their feet to live in a new reality and with new goals. 

Podcast interviews will feature leading psychologists in the field. The recordings widely distributed via YouTube, social media, and the program’s website, reaching an expected audience of over 1,000 listeners.

5. Support for Artsakh Businesses

The final component of the Menq & Moonq program focuses on empowering Artsakh start-up entrepreneurs in the Gegharkunik, Tavush, and Syunik regions. This initiative aims to help them effectively showcase and market their products or services. Support includes a short course on entrepreneurship fundamentals and sales strategies, personalized business consultations, and participation in end-of-year Christmas fairs. Approximately 37 beneficiaries are expected to take part in this program.