From displacement to enterprise: rebuilding my community through entrepreneurship

On 21 June, in the framework of World Refugee Day, together with my fellow Young European Ambassadors, I had the opportunity to co-organise an event, ‘From Displacement to Enterprise’, in Oshakan in cooperation with the Uniting Bridge Social NGO and Euroclub Oshakan. The gathering brought together 30 entrepreneurs displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, aspiring business founders affected by displacement, and members of the local community.

The event aimed to introduce participants to existing EU-funded business opportunities and support mechanisms available in Armenia. During the session, YEAs introduced the participants to several initiatives, including Digital Marketing Essentials, Three4ResilientArmenia, and the Refugee Response Window for Armenia under the EU4Business–EBRD Credit Line. The latter is specifically designed to support businesses established by displaced people and companies employing individuals from displaced communities.

An important part of the event was showcasing the diversity and resilience of businesses created or developed by displaced individuals. Participants represented various sectors, including a clothing design and tailoring house, a facial clinic dentistry, a pastry and confectionery business, a fast-food enterprise, as well as handicraft and printing services. Behind each business was a personal story of starting over. Despite the uncertainty and difficulties that came with displacement, these entrepreneurs found the strength to rebuild, pursue their ideas, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.

We were also joined by Young European Ambassador Anahit Babkenyan, an inspiring young entrepreneur who built her own travel business from the ground up. Through an interactive mentorship session, she shared practical advice on starting, developing, and sustaining a business, while also speaking honestly about the challenges that entrepreneurs face along the way.

“During my session, I reflected on Sunset Travel and how meaningful travel experiences can help us reconnect with ourselves,” Anahit Babkenyan explained. “Using a youth work methodology, I then facilitated a brainstorming discussion around business ideas and different approaches to creating value.

“What I enjoyed most was learning from the participants themselves. Through the questions and discussions, I gained new perspectives and insights. One example that stayed with me was a dentist who shared that rather than focusing on providing cheap services, her goal is to make healthcare accessible to everyone. I found this perspective both thoughtful and inspiring, and it reminded me how much we can learn from each other’s experiences.”

Beyond the presentations and discussions, the event created a safe space for dialogue and networking. Participants exchanged experiences, challenges, and ideas, discovering that many of them faced similar obstacles and aspirations.

For me personally, this event was a powerful reminder of why I joined the Young European Ambassadors network. Being a Young European Ambassador is not only about sharing information on EU-funded opportunities; but about standing close to people, listening to their stories, and helping vulnerable communities become stronger and more resilient.

As someone who has experienced displacement firsthand, it was indeed valuable for me to see entrepreneurs from Nagorno-Karabakh supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and building new professional networks. The event reminded me that entrepreneurship is not only an economic activity, it can also be a tool for empowerment, integration, and community-building.