YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Today, the official launch event of Impact Hub (candidate) Gyumri and the Creative Centre (CRELAB) in Shirak region was held.

Impact Hub (candidate) Gyumri and the CRELAB have been established as part of an initiative by the “Impact Hub Armenia” Social Innovation Development Foundation, within the framework of the "Labs for Change: Empowering Women for Social Innovation & Creativity in Regions” project. This project is a collaborative effort involving Impact Hub, Fashion and Design Chamber of Armenia (FDC) and the Dilijan-based craft platform Made-vel-e, funded with UK aid from the British People.

The launch of Impact Hub Candidate Gyumri signifies a remarkable achievement for Impact Hub Armenia. As a part of the globally recognised Impact Hub network, the organisation has been at the forefront of driving entrepreneurial growth and fostering a dynamic ecosystem for startups, creators, and changemakers. The expansion to Gyumri underscores the commitment to not only enriching the local entrepreneurial landscape but also fostering connections that transcend geographical boundaries.

The CRELAB in Shirak focuses on a specific niche, digital production and related fields. This initiative is geared towards nurturing a creative entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting women's empowerment within the Shirak region. The centre's primary objective is to equip women and young individuals with valuable professional and entrepreneurial skills. Through participation in the initiatives of the centre, women and young people will have the opportunity to develop marketable products, opening doors to fresh employment prospects and expanding market access for individuals.

At the opening event, John Gallagher, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia, delivered a welcoming speech, stating:“Supporting women to access economic opportunities is not just a matter of gender equality. It is a catalyst for social progress, economic growth and sustainable development. Promoting and protecting women’s rights remains a priority for the UK government both within the UK and across the world. I’m pleased that the UK’s Good Governance Fund supports the establishment of three Creative Labs in the Tavush, Shirak and Kotayk regions. These facilities will provide support tailored to the needs of the local communities and create an environment where women are encouraged and empowered to realise their full potential․”

Gevorg Poghosyan, the Executive Director of "Impact Hub Armenia" Social Innovation Development Fund, also delivered a welcome speech during which he emphasized: "Gyumri's startup scene has always piqued our interest, and we're excited that Impact Hub will soon be operating here. Additionally, Shirak Marz boasts a wealth of creative minds, and through our CRELAB initiative, we aim to revitalize and empower this creative community."

Welcome addresses were also delivered by Ruben Sargsyan from Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs; and Vardges Samsonyan the Mayor of Gyumri.

Furthermore, parallel workshops were arranged as a part of the event, during which the guests had an opportunity to test their skills in the digital world.