Family strengthening program in Kotayk, as well as in the extended communities of Ijevan and Dilijan

HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC (hereinafter HSBC Armenia / Bank) has announced a new collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages, based on which the Bank will provide financial support to the Foundation to implement the “Family Strengthening Project” in Kotayk region, Dilijan and Ijevan enlarged communities.

The aim of the project is to help socially disadvantaged rural families develop employability through improvement of skills required for finding a job more easily. It is planned to organize vocational and soft skills training courses will be organized for people difficult life circumstances, opening up future employment opportunities. Besides the courses, appropriate tools and accessories necessary for professional activities will be provided to the beneficiaries of the project to help them to become more competitive in the labour market.

“It is necessary to possess specific skills to apply for a job. Currently there are many courses that can help you acquire or expand your professional skill set. However, these courses may hardly be available to regional people in difficult life circumstances. With this project we aim to create an opportunity for them to get expertise required for being hired. I believe that implementing community development projects we can inspire young people living in the regions to achieve their potential and bring life-changing opportunities,” says Irina Seylanyan, the Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Armenia.

The initiative will contribute to the financial well-being of 30 families with minor children, thus creating opportunities to address a number of needs, including access to healthcare and education, ensuring stable accommodation and food security.

“At HSBC Armenia, we have a long-standing commitment to support the communities in which we operate. We understand that to achieve success in the long term, economic growth must also be sustainable. Therefore, we are helping to build resilience in areas where we can make a difference and support sustainable economic growth,” added Irina Seylanyan.

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of $2,990bn at 31 March 2023, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC was established in 1996. The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Group. HSBC Armenia serves around 30 000 customers through six offices located in Yerevan and around 310 employees. As of 31 December 2022, the Bank has assets of AMD321 billion including the ones, allocated with the mediation of the HSBC Bank plc, London. The bank is regulated by the Central Bank of Armenia.

SOS Children’s Villages Armenian Charitable Foundation started its activities in the Republic of Armenia immediately after the devastating Spitak earthquake in 1988. The Foundation is a child-centered organization whose mission is to provide care and support for children in difficult life situations by surrounding them with family. Today, activities of “SOS Children’s Villages” Armenian Charity Foundation include 24/7 alternative care for children (long term and short term), Mother and Child Shelter, and Family Strengthening programs implemented in Kotayk, Tavush and Shirak regions, Yerevan city. Programs implemented by the Foundation are aimed at the improvement of the child protection system in the Republic of Armenia, as well as at ensuring the right of the child to live in a family.