“Culture – My Way”: New Project Launches to Empower People with Disabilities Through Cultural Entrepreneurship in Armenia Thanks to UNESCO IFCD Financing

The Teryan Cultural Center is proud to announce the launch of “Culture – My Way”, a pioneering initiative funded by the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) of UNESCO, under the framework of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The project is locally co-funded by AraratBank—one of the leading banks in Armenia. 

The project is designed to create income-generating opportunities and sustainable employment for people with disabilities and their families in Armenia through cultural and creative industries. It specifically targets persons with special needs, their mothers and female relatives, as well as the professionals working with them.

Key components of the project include:

Vocational training in cultural production (including crafts, branded garments, and pottery) tailored to people with disabilities and their support networks;

Upgrading the quality of cultural products to meet professional standards and ensure competitiveness in local and international markets;

Promotional and outreach efforts, including the development of a dedicated website, printed catalogues and brochures, and the organisation of cultural events and exhibitions to showcase beneficiaries' work.

The “Culture – My Way” project will deliver a comprehensive programme of training, product development, and promotion to empower people with disabilities and their support networks in Armenia’s cultural sector. Over the course of the project, 24 seminars will train specialists in producing hand-decorated items, ceramics, and handicrafts, followed by 24 master classes and joint workshops where these specialists will mentor people with disabilities, as well as their mothers and female relatives, in creating high-quality products for showroom and online sales. To strengthen the competitiveness of these cultural products, the project will conduct a two-month market survey—including outreach to the Armenian diaspora—to identify demand in local, regional, Georgian, and international markets; acquire and operate a professional textile print machine; and award the Teryan Center brand to beneficiary-made items. Promotion will be a key focus, with activities including the launch of the website and social media campaigns, the production of a catalogue and brochure, and the organisation of exhibitions and awareness events—culminating in a concert featuring musicians and students with special needs. A permanent exhibition at the Teryan Cultural Center will ensure the work of beneficiaries continues to be showcased beyond the project’s lifetime.

“This project reflects our long-standing commitment to cultural inclusion, empowerment, and dignity,” said Lilit Melikyan, Executive Director of the Teryan Cultural Center. “Thanks to the support of UNESCO’s IFCD, we can scale up our impact and bring meaningful change to the lives of our beneficiaries by connecting tradition, innovation, and social justice in Armenia.”

The “Culture – My Way” initiative embodies the core objectives of the 2005 Convention, promoting participation in cultural life, as well as gender equality, and the professionalisation of local creative industries.

On the national level, this transformative initiative receives support through AraratBank's generous donation, reflecting the bank's unwavering commitment to social impact initiatives since 2020. AraratBank believes that beyond finances, it is the people that matter – and this meaningful contribution embodies that philosophy by providing essential resources while amplifying the project's visibility across communities that need it most. Ararat Bank has consistently championed such initiatives, understanding that true progress comes from investing in people and building stronger communities. This national level partnership will significantly extend the project's reach and ensure its long-term sustainability while fostering the deeper community connections that create lasting change.

About the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD)

The IFCD is a multi-donor fund established under the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. It supports sustainable cultural development projects that strengthen cultural industries in developing countries.