Preserving Artsakh culture through capacity building and women's empowerment

As the only urban center in the Tavush border community, the town of Berd suffers from pervasive socio-economic obstacles, further exacerbated by its remote location and border status. This agrarian community is still characterized by limited access to livelihoods, which disproportionately affects women. Handicrafts are a vital part of daily life, often providing a modest source of income.

Since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 2023, Berd has also been home to a number of forcibly displaced families. These include women, aged 20 to 65, who are unemployed and whose integration and psychological impact are linked to the displacement and losses they have suffered. Their aspiration for professional and social inclusion is intertwined with the urgent need to preserve a cultural heritage threatened with extinction in their time of exile.

In this context, the Berd Women's Resource Center Foundation (BWRCF), approved by the Ministry of Culture and Education of the Republic of Armenia, plays a vital role. With nearly a decade of experience in traditional and applied crafts, it builds upon the "Berd Bears" project—which trained villagers to create and ship products renowned for their quality. Leveraging this expertise, the BWRCF now seeks to provide training in weaving, crochet, and knitting to displaced women in Artsakh so they can maintain their native cultural skills and develop a sustainable source of income.