Entrepreneurship and Employment
Inclusive Economic Development
In 1915, Near East Foundation (NEF) was founded in urgent response to the Armenian Genocide. During a historic relief effort in the years that followed, NEF saved the lives of over 1,000,000 refugees, and in the process established the tradition of “citizen philanthropy” – a model used today by a majority of non-profit organizations around the world.
Over a century later, peace and prosperity remain at the heart of NEF’s mission in Armenia. A new era of development work began in 2004 with a focus on improving the lives and future opportunities of children living on the street. NEF's efforts have since transitioned into helping revitalize communities to improve livelihoods among vulnerable groups — particularly women survivors of gender-based violence and individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh — and to build a stronger civil society that will create a brighter future for all Armenians.