Lorik Humanitarian Fund has completed its first round of Small Business Development Grants, awarding 23 grants totaling $31,727.07 to families forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

The grants put real resources directly into people’s hands: 60+ beehives, more than 700 chickens, 15 mother rabbits, bakery equipment, professional tools, business equipment and training.

What the 23 Grants Actually Funded

Beekeeping, 2 grants

Two families received support to establish or expand beekeeping operations. Together, the projects provided 60+ beehives, along with bees and related beekeeping equipment.

Poultry farming, 8 grants

Eight grants supported chicken raising businesses. Across the projects, Lorik Fund provided more than 700 chickens, along with feed and, where needed, materials and support for chicken coops and housing.

Rabbit farming, 1 grant

One family received 15 mother rabbits, purpose built cages and housing, and several months of feed to establish a rabbit breeding operation.

Bakeries, 2 grants

Two families received bakery equipment, baking trays and other supplies needed for production.

Butcher shop, 1 grant

A butcher shop received a chicken rotisserie machine and refrigerator/freezer equipment.

Tailoring, 1 grant

A tailoring business received a sewing machine, materials and tailoring tools.

Dried fruit production, 1 grant

One family received equipment and supplies for producing dried fruits.

Pickled food production, 1 grant

One family received equipment and supplies for a small pickling and preserved food business.

Produce store, 1 grant

A neighborhood fruit and vegetable store received an air conditioning system to help protect its inventory during Armenia’s hot summer months.

Beauty services, 2 grants

Two women received professional equipment for their beauty businesses, including hair and salon equipment, with one project including an Apilus electrolysis machine.

Automotive repair, 1 grant

A mechanic received professional automotive and welding tools and equipment to expand his repair business.

Real estate, 1 grant

One recipient received funding for professional real estate training and licensing.

Work, Not Welfare

Emergency assistance is sometimes necessary. But for families rebuilding their lives after being forcibly displaced from Artsakh, we also want to create opportunities for long term independence.

That is the purpose of Lorik Fund’s Small Business Development Program.

We look at what someone already knows how to do, what they want to build, and what they need to get there. Sometimes that means livestock. Sometimes it is equipment, tools, supplies or professional training.

The goal is work, not welfare. We provide the opportunity and the resources. The recipient takes it from there.

$31,727.07 Invested

Lorik Fund received 204 applications during the first round and awarded 23 grants totaling 11,485,200 AMD, or $31,727.07.

The program grew out of several livelihood projects Lorik Fund had already funded individually. The response to our first open application round made one thing clear: there are many more families ready to work and build businesses if given the opportunity.

What Comes Next

Lorik Fund is now raising funds for the next round of Small Business Development Grants.

We have seen what a relatively modest investment can do: put chickens in a coop, beehives in a field, equipment in a bakery, tools in a workshop or a sewing machine in someone’s hands.

Help us fund the next round and put more families back to work.

LorikHF.org