Refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh are learning tech skills and soon will move into new eco-friendly homes thanks to a team of go-getter volunteers.
Nearly the entire population fled Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s takeover of the almost entirely ethnic Armenian territory in a lightning military operation last September. Among them was a 43-year-old man named Erik.
For Erik, this upheaval marked an unfortunate deja vu, the latest chapter in a trilogy of forced migrations that trace back to the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1988. Having fled his home in Hadrut in the second war of 2020, he bid farewell to Stepanakert, the region’s main city, in October 2023. This time, he took only the necessities – a microphone and speakers – symbolic remnants of a life where joyous melodies once filled the air at weddings where he performed.
As Erik was leaving the region known to Armenians as Artsakh, many miles away in Yerevan, Ashot Barseghyan and Arman Nalbandyan, like many others throughout the country, were contemplating how they could offer support to their compatriots.
Enter the Diaspora
This was not the first time the two men had to enter crisis mode. During the second Nagorno-Karabakh war in autumn 2020, when Azerbaijan recaptured part of the region, Barseghyan and Nalbandyan joined an organization sending humanitarian aid to Stepanakert, which remained under Armenian control. But soon enough they realized that this amount of provisions to people was not sustainable and started their own NGO.
“It all began with a single Facebook post,” recalls Nalbandyan. “I shared a photo of my car loaded with various goods and captioned it, ‘Collecting clothes and blankets for the people of Artsakh. More blankets needed.’ Within two hours, the entire city brought blankets – I had to arrange an additional truck.”
Recognizing his on-the-ground presence, Nalbandyan’s American and Canadian contacts, both professional and in the Armenian diaspora, began channeling funds to his account. Within a mere three days, Nalbandyan found himself with $200,000, a substantial sum and an even more substantial responsibility.
He then turned to the Business Armenia organization, which was arranging aid shipments. Swiftly handed a list of necessities, he mobilized his resources and located and purchased the goods within just half an hour. For the next three months, Nalbandyan made sure he got whatever the organization needed and personally delivered it tirelessly from morning till night.
Then the ceaseless flow of aid prompted an inquiry from Canada, forcing Nalbandyan to confront the necessity of a long-term solution. “Listen, for how much longer will this be going on?” the donors asked.
And so, from this inquiry emerged a pivotal decision – the establishment of a specialized IT training center for wounded soldiers to reintegrate them into society. Nalbandyan reasoned that providing endless aid only fostered dependency, recalling the precedent of the 1988 Gyumri earthquake, when the volume of aid hindered people’s self-sufficiency as they relied entirely on the assistance.
“Essentially, I got put in charge by the Canadian diaspora,” Nalbandyan chuckles. A former digital marketing manager, he found himself completely shifting gears into the NGO world, still amazed at how one Facebook post could rapidly alter the course of his life.
Wartime Beginnings
When I sat down with Nalbandyan and Barseghyan in their Yerevan office, the date was precisely three years since the inception of Smart Armenia, the civil society organization they launched on 26 December 2020. Today, the NGO offers an educational program geared toward helping its clients learn the most in-demand skills in the rapidly evolving labor market, opening doors to its students to prestigious and highly paid jobs.
Back in 2020, Barseghyan, also a digital marketer by day, was working at theHayastan All-Armenian Fund – a major charity that raises money from Armenian diasporas all over the world and organized humanitarian deliveries during the Nagorno-Karabakh fighting.
“We all understood that in one moment the war will be over, but what to do with those who lived through it? We realized that there would be families left without breadwinners. A large number of people had amputated limbs. How will they enter the job market? Some of them are 18-19 years old – how will they live further?” says Barseghyan. “This is when we got the idea to do specialized skill training, re-qualifications, and help finding jobs.”
Education became a cornerstone of Smart Armenia’s mission. Currently, the team consists of five core members: three co-founders, a project coordinator, and a construction manager. In its education projects, Smart Armenia employs teachers from ArMath, an after-school engineering and science program for youngsters.
Smart Armenia’s first project was training for six soldiers with amputated limbs who had endured 70 days trapped by the fighting until their rescue in December 2020.
One of the graphic design trainers, Rafael Sargasyan, recalls this exceptional first group.
“It was quite unusual for me to see these guys, who were almost kids, 18-19 years old, having endured all the unthinkable horrors and still managed to find the strength to keep going,” he says.
The training brought tangible results as several of the students eventually found jobs in the fields they studied, Sargasyan says: “For instance, one of the guys from the first group now works in a large photo-editing startup, Picsart, and I am terribly proud I could help.” In fact, Smart Armenia’s logo, initially a mere sketch, materialized with the creative contribution of one of the students.
At the outset, the primary goal was clear – to provide education and training for wounded soldiers, especially those with amputated limbs. But after the initial course ended, Smart Armenia, in a joint project together with the All Armenian Fund, extended support also to women – wives, sisters, and mothers – affected by the loss of their loved ones. The programs were the same as those offered to injured soldiers: programming, digital marketing, and graphic design.
A particularly innovative endeavor emerged with a course in robotics designed for 10-16-year-old children affected by the war. With a focus on hands-on projects like building a smart trash can or smart money box, the program aimed to educate and foster creativity.
“The children first learn to make games, the most primitive programming … Once this skill is mastered, they learn to make some 3D models, then they print those models and program motherboards,” Barseghyan says, describing the six-month program.
“Many children got inspired by the courses and are now considering pursuing robotics as a career,” says Nalbandyan.
Barseghyan emphasized the growing prominence of engineering and robotics in Armenia, citing the ArMath project’s success in approximately 700 schools across Armenia with its own laboratories.
Among the numerous NGOs dedicated to aiding refugees by organizing shelters and providing material and psychological support, Smart Armenia stands out for its exceptional integration efforts. The agency’s focus on imparting “hard skills” not only opens doors to well-paid employment but also facilitates independence through a higher standard of living for those who have endured great hardship.
While other NGOs also help refugees enter the job market, Smart Armenia distinguishes itself with its rigorous educational process, where clients learn from top-notch educators and benefit from the advantages of cutting-edge programs in Armenia, followed by assistance in securing employment.
Smart Armenia also stands out for the range of its training programs, designed for three distinct groups: injured soldiers, women affected by the conflict, and children. Within just a few months of training, the program swiftly empowers injured soldiers and women with highly sought-after skills, supporters say.
Around 200 people have gone through the training programs.”Ever since the creation of our NGO three years ago, we have had our courses run nonstop, one course after another,” Nalbandyan says.
Emergency Aid for Artsakh Refugees
Azerbaijan’s lightning invasion in September forced every organization working in Nagorno-Karabakh to change course overnight, from support to a population that, although undernourished and unable to leave the territory under the Azerbaijani blockade, remained in their homes, to providing emergency shelter and care for a sudden refugee wave that no one could have foreseen.
Erik, forced to abandon his home for the third time, sought refuge in a shelter arranged by Smart Armenia volunteers. In the midst of the prevailing atmosphere of loss and stress endured by most refugees, over his 17-day stay, Erik utilized his only possessions, a microphone and a speaker, to bring solace to the others in the shelter.
All but a handful of Nagorno-Karabakh’s some 120,000 ethnic Armenians – the huge majority of the territory’s population – fled the territory into Armenia proper in just two weeks after 24 September, when Azerbaijani authorities lifted their blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only land connection to Armenia.
“When they opened the corridor and people began to flock to Armenia, we just gathered here, six or eight people, and brainstormed how we would participate in this process,” Barseghyan says. “And we decided to organize a temporary shelter because the exodus was so large that there simply wasn’t enough space to accommodate people in hotels, pensions, and so on.”
“We reached out to the big cities along the route from Nagorno-Karabakh. Goris was in dire straits; people were sleeping in parks without adequate cover,” he says. “Another city had no capacity, and we finally called Artashat, a city half an hour away from Yerevan. They offered a big sports complex where we could establish minimal conditions.”
Through “the miracle of Armenian networking,” Smart Armenia set up the shelter within 20 hours, he continues. A friend, the commercial director of a large Armenian furniture store, provided beds, mattresses, and bed linen at minimal cost – 50 beds on the first day and 114 more the next day.
Almost four dozen Smart Armenia volunteers worked around the clock to meet the needs of the 160 people who sought refuge in the temporary shelter, doing everything from cleaning up trash to organizing three meals a day.
“The first three days it was a nightmare for people,” recalls Nalbandyan. “Imagine, an exhausting long road, terrible traffic, a feeling of losing everything. But then once they realized they were safe and taken care of, the smiles began to appear. Children began to play.”
The daily routine at the shelter included visits from theater groups for children’s entertainment, deliveries of fresh pastries from a Yerevan bakery, and free entry for kids to a large amusement park. Psychologists from the Ministry of the Interior, a dentist offering free check-ups and treatment, and visits from a priest all contributed to the holistic support system in place.
“For the kids, we invited an organization to practice art therapy. On the first day, they drew graveyards, weapons, and soldiers. But by the third day, some flowers began to appear in their drawings,” Nalbandyan says.
Many of the volunteers were high school students, some as young as 13, who were granted time off to assist.
Lina, a 16-year-old volunteer, shared her experience. “In the first few days, the children didn’t play much. But as we grew closer, the atmosphere became uplifting. There were moments of tears and reminiscence, yet we made efforts to keep them entertained. We brought food, played with the kids, and even helped with their studies.”
“The most difficult part was when people started reminiscing about the old days,” says fellow teenage volunteer Milena. “They would share their stories with us, and even though we didn’t know what words could help, we just hugged them.”
Running a shelter came with numerous challenges. Some of the most emotionally trying involved unexpected illnesses and children with special medical needs. Both Nalbandyan and Barseghyan agreed on the importance of detachment. “Maybe that sounds terrible but treating situations in a ‘project manager manner’ is the only way to be efficient and keep from going under in those circumstances,” Barseghyan says.
Artashat city officials praise Smart Armenia’s efforts. In the words of Khoren Ustyan, an adviser to the mayor, “Among various volunteer initiatives, this one stood out as the only one that remained committed from the beginning to the end – and they continue to provide assistance even now.”
While people sought refuge in the shelter, city officials nationwide were working to secure accommodation for everyone.
Starting Over
Although every refugee from Nagorno-Karabakh harbors the dream of returning to their homeland, the harsh reality has slowly started to settle in as they forge new beginnings in unfamiliar places.
“We still maintain contact with the families; we help with what we can,” Nalbandyan says. “For instance, a woman wanted to learn to do manicures and work from home. In Artashat, we organized courses, and another organization provided the necessary equipment. We have many stories like that.”
I joined Nalbandyan on a surprise home visit to one of the families Smart Armenia assisted. Not just any home, this was Erik’s new place – the person I had heard so many stories about. For him, moving to a new home for the fourth time marked a joyous occasion. On the first day, he celebrated by singing until 2 a.m.
Traditional Armenian hospitality welcomed us with a table adorned with homemade delicacies, snacks, desserts, and wines – an offer impossible to decline.
As we sat down, the head of the family made a traditional toast, a cherished Armenian tradition.
“I want to raise the glass to a human, to humanity,” Erik declared. “It doesn’t matter what nationality; it is about being a person. Cheers to Arman – your work is the essence of humanity. To help, to love a stranger.”
Erik now lives in Artashat with his wife, their two daughters, and their grandmother.
“We came from hell,” Erik said of the family’s traumatic flight. “In the final days, both civilians and soldiers were completely destroyed. There were mass killings, violence. … I thank God my family didn’t encounter such atrocities. But I do not separate myself from my people. If they go through these sufferings, I feel like I go through these sufferings.”
Amid adversity, the family clings to hope. “I have seen famine, war, lost my home, my memories,” the grandmother said. “But I have to live for my family; they give me strength.”
“We don’t have a choice but to adjust to these conditions,” adds Erik.
His daughters, aged 13 and six, need to adjust in their own ways. Both are in school in their new hometown.
“For the elder one, it’s a really difficult time; she is very emotional,” their father said. Meanwhile Erik himself, a veteran of 12 years in the military: “Once we served Karabakh, and now we will serve Armenia.”
From Temporary to Lifelong Solutions
In response to the escalating crisis and the unprecedented outflow of refugees, Smart Armenia has elevated its efforts to a new level. The organization is gearing up for two major projects in 2024 – a housing initiative and an innovative educational camp.
The housing project addresses the imminent challenges faced by refugees residing in temporary accommodation, emphasizing the need for a sustainable solution.
“Currently, the government covers the costs of rent and utilities; others house some families for free. But this is not going to last forever,” says Nalbandyan.
Other groups are helping to find new housing for refugees, he says, typically buying and refurbishing existing structures. “But we decided to build an eco-village. Most displaced people are accustomed to the farming lifestyle, so surviving in other settings can be rather difficult for them,” he says.
Smart Armenia’s “Roof” project aims to change that by providing beneficiaries with a home and land, ensuring a lasting and positive impact, while fostering a sense of safety and belonging within their new community.
Groundbreaking is set for next month on 60,000 square meters of land allocated by the Artashat municipality. Each solar-heated house will sit on a substantial plot of land.
Beyond finding the site for the houses, the municipality plans to continue actively supporting the project, mayoral adviser Ustyan said.
Unlike other projects that have been fueled by campaigns on the GoFund.me crowdfunding platform as well as large donations from international organizations and private companies, the new housing development, with an estimated cost of 750 million drams ($1.85 million), is funded mainly by large donors within Armenia, for instance, the Telcell telecommunications company. Another partner organization will help with the tools to help the new residents build farming operations on their land and provide chickens and pigs.
Smart Armenia and its partners are drafting eligibility criteria. Those most in need are a priority, Nalbandyan says.
“But we don’t want to make a village just for the most disadvantaged,” he says, explaining that less distressed families will also be awarded homes.
Smart Armenia is expanding its educational footprint with a “SmartCamp” in Artashat, envisioned as an educational hub with diverse learning programs for children and youth, ranging from foreign languages to renewable energy, programming, and more. Plans call for permanent classrooms, an administrative building with a multi-use hall, and kitchen facilities.
The blueprint includes accommodation for 32 people, camping areas, and communal spaces for campfires and other activities. The municipality has pledged logistical support and transportation for local children once the camp is up and running.
At the core of all Smart Armenia’s initiatives lies a fundamental commitment to fostering self-sustainability. SmartCamp exemplifies this, designed from the outset to generate funds through facility rentals and educational programs. Barseghyan and Nalbandyan foresee it becoming an enterprise propelled by shared responsibility and commitment to fostering education and community development.
Whether through teaching IT skills to empower individuals to secure an independent and successful future, implementing housing projects that provide comprehensive support for long-term sustainability and establish a robust community, or looking ahead to the permanent SmartCamp center, the foundation has stuck to its principles.
Smart Armenia’s significant expansion, characterized by the ambitious new projects currently underway, underscores both its track record and the trust of donors in the organization’s capabilities and goals.
Even though its success so far owes much to the famed generosity of the Armenian diaspora, galvanized into action by the physical and psychic traumas of the past four years, the Smart Armenia team believe the educational model the organization has honed could be exported to other regions confronting conflict or other forms of social upheaval.
When asked about how they acquired the skills to navigate such intricate and complex processes in so little time, Barseghyan reflects on the turbulent history of Armenia and the Armenians themselves.
“We have been living in crisis mode for 2,500 years,” he says. “Crisis management is in our blood.”
…
Kathrin Yaromich is a producer for the TV and digital news service Current Time and a freelance journalist with a primary focus on human rights, social justice, and politics. Her work has appeared on RFE/RL, Bellingcat, and New Eastern Europe.
This article was produced with the support of the International Visegrad Fund.
