Galvanizing Diaspora program winners announced in Yerevan

ArmInfo. The winners of the Galvanizing Diaspora program initiated by the Hayastan 2041 Foundation were announced in Yerevan.  During a press conference at the Matenadaran today, the Armenian 2041 Foundation announced the ten winning initiatives of the Galvanizing Diaspora program.

Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to support projects aimed at  preserving the Armenian heritage and strengthening Armenian  communities.  Launched in 2023, the Galvanizing Diaspora program aims  to foster the preservation of the Armenian heritage, promote Armenian  culture, create professional development opportunities for youth,  strengthen the connection between Armenia and the Diaspora, and  support the programs facilitating cooperation between Armenian  communities.

The program received 174 grant applications from 91 cities in 26  countries, ranging from the U.S. to Lebanon, and from Australia to  Argentina. As part of the program, the authors of the top 20  proposals, submitted by individuals, groups, or organizations, has  had the opportunity to develop their concepts with support from  experts in a variety of fields.

During the press-conference, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of the  Armenia 2041 Foundation stated that through grants, they aim to  galvanize the Armenian Diaspora and inspire members of their  community who have innovative ideas but require empowerment to bring  them to fruition.  When asked whether they intend to continue the  initiatives, Afeyan emphasized that the Foundation has no reason not  to continue the work that has begun.

When ArmInfo asked him to also share a bit about the Afeyan Family  Foundation, which recently provided assistance to Artsakh, the  philanthropist mentioned that their family foundation has been in  operation for 20 years. "Our foundation has been around for a while,  but we have never had a presence in Armenia.  However, the challenges  faced by the people of Artsakh prompted us to open a branch in  Yerevan. We do not simply give out money, we implement development  programs and plan to continue doing so, including for the people of  Artsakh," Afeyan concluded.

The following initiatives received the grant: Azad 3D: 3D-Printed  Devices for Independent Living Inc. (New  York, USA); Bridging Cultures and Building Networks at Stanford  (Armenian Student Association of Stanford University - Stanford,  USA); A Documentary film: Armenia and Diaspora Joining Forces to Save  the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem (Artem Yerkanyan - Yerevan,  Armenia); Echoes of Artsakh: The Forgotten Music of Armenian  Ancestors (David Harutyunyan - Paris, France), Heritage Rewoven:  Exploring Armenian Textile Traditions with Contemporary Artists  (Social Entrepreneurship "OCHRE" - Yerevan, Armenia); Learn Armenian  Culture and History through Gameplay "Koreez" (Educational Program  LLC - Yerevan, Armenia); Mapping Memory: Re-inscribing the Armenian  Intellectual Legacy in Istanbul (Hrant Dink Foundation - Istanbul,  Turkey); Mentorship Program (Armenian Engineers and Scientists of  America (AESA) - Glendale, USA); "My Language Is My Identity!"  Armenian Alphabet in a Geneva Park (Ruzanna Tarverdyan - Geneva,  Switzerland) and The Road:  Platform for Diaspora Reseach (Alexander  V. Gevorgyan - New York, USA).  The projects are to be completed  within 18 months, by spring 2026.