Get2Know event, integration event for repatriates and expats from different countries

YEREVAN, JANUARY 31, ARMENPRESS. Since 2012, Repat Armenia has been promoting repatriation, supporting individuals and families in their integration and soft-landing process, and fostering a pro-repatriation environment.

ARMENPRESS spoke with Repat Armenia Co-founder and Executive Director Vartan Marashlyan, Communications Coordinator Ishkhan Saakyan and Kristine Baroyan, a repatriate from Russia on the organization’s priorities, results and programs.

Vartan Marashlyan moved to Armenia from Russia in 2010. He served as Deputy Minister of Diaspora for 2.5 years. Realizing the importance of repatriation, Marashlyan with 11 like-minded diasporans and repatriates decided to establish the Repat Armenia foundation in 2012.

“The initial idea was to create an informational platform that would provide potential repatriates with practical and useful information on the different aspects of repatriation and integration from those who moved to Armenia. However, we understood very soon that we should also create an institution with a dedicated staff that would work individually with everyone, including those who just started thinking about repatriation. Thus, Repat Armenia was established after 12 months of hard work and immediately started working with the influx of Syrian Armenians.” Marashlyan said.

Repat Armenia Director Vardan Marashlyan, Programs Manager Marianna Chobanyan

Repat Armenia clearly realizes that repatriation is a complicated process. No one makes such a decision at once. It is crucial to experience Armenia through visits, exploration, internships, networking events, social gatherings, volunteer opportunities and educational programs before making the decision of repatriating. 

When it comes to professional opportunities, Marashlyan stated that while there are sectors that are developing and provide competitive salaries, their number and the field of activity are still limited. “Covid-19 has made the world global with more people working remotely, which creates a perfect opportunity for repatriation and immigration to Armenia. The inflow of professionals from Russia in 2022 was a vivid example of it. Currently, there is a growing demand for professionals in IT, project management, marketing and sales, export promotion and hospitality in Armenia. More and more local companies are willing to expand their target new markets, creating new professional opportunities for repats.'' he said, when referring to the challenges in building a career in Armenia.

Networking event with program participants

Repat Armenia is open to cooperation with public and private institutions in Armenia and the Diaspora. It also pays special attention to creating and supporting a viable community of repats and expats to facilitate full integration in Armenia.

Repat Armenia has also launched Armenian repatriates network with over 12000 members. It is an ecosystem where potential repats and expats can discuss, issues and concerns, as well as get tips, recommendations and advice from experienced repats on moving logistics, housing, education for their children, healthcare and much more.

The Repat Armenia team has a focus  on employment support and doing business in Armenia and professional networking. In 2022, Repat Armenia provided personal consultations on employment to over 400 applicants; organized 35 integration events with a collective 650 participants, 148 community members subscribed to our medical insurance package and 470 others have become part of our online membership program.

Speed Recruiting event with Dexatel, organized to help the repats to find a job in Armenia

“In 2021-22, we implemented a pilot Employment Support Program for our compatriots from Lebanon, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 58 selected participants moved to Armenia through the program, and 48 are currently residing in Armenia, all of them are employed or self-employed, including those who set up their own businesses. All participants received employment support with “818 HR Consulting”, have taken part in organized Armenian language courses, received air ticket compensation and rent subsidy for three months.” Repat Armenia Co-founder and Executive Director Vartan Marashlyan said.

Yearly Repat Armenia receives around 1000 requests for repatriation and integration assistance. Most applicants are between 25-40 years old with strong educational and professional backgrounds from Russia, Lebanon, the United States, Iran, Canada, France, Syria and other countries.

 “It is difficult to say how many people have repatriated to Armenia since 2012 because Armenia still has not adopted a law on repatriation and does not provide a special status to repatriates. According to our estimation, around 3000 Armenians move to Armenia annually on a voluntary basis. As we have mentioned, usually it takes time to move to Armenia, Repat Armenia’s team also provide face-to-face consultations to people who are in their early stages of repatriation. In some cases, it takes years. We were pleasantly surprised to witness a stronger interest in repatriation after the 2020 Artsakh war, which proves that our compatriots are committed to a nation building process, especially when our homeland is in danger.” Marashlyan said.

Repat Armenia Communications Coordinator Ishkhan Saakyan is a repatriate himself. He came to Armenia ten years ago. Saakyan considers repatriation to be a difficult process and says that each repatriate has their own issues. “Everyone can contact us through our website at repatarmenia.org, our social media channels or by visiting our office. We launched the new Repat Armenia website in 2022, which will allow applicants to apply for our integration support online, and will include information on employment; our integration support comprises 45 % of our applications. As soon as an inquiry is received, my colleagues and I quickly respond to all questions or set up consultations online or in the office. For in-depth specific questions, we provide reliable contacts of service providers in different fields. ” Saakyan said.

Discovery Tour

In order to contribute to the integration of repatriates, Repat Armenia organizes various events enabling the repatriates to get to know one another, communicate and make friends. Sightseeing tours are also organized. Moreover, Repat Armenia holds Speed Recruiting events, involving short interviews between the Armenian HR companies, employers and the applicants, increasing the chances of the repatriates to find a job.

Meet&Greet with Invest in Armenia

Kristine Baroyan is a repatriate born in Stepanavan. She was four when her family moved to Russia. She returned to Armenia to attend a wedding with friends and then decided to obtain an Armenian passport and find a job in the meantime. She applied to Repat Armenia upon learning about the organization.

Repat Armenia team and participant Ani Harutyunyan in the airport

“I was invited for an interview during which they got to know my professional skills and requirements, they gave me useful advice on specificities of finding employment and only about a week later I passed an interview with my present-day employer. Two days later I received a job offer from them and I made my final decision on staying in Armenia. I work in the IT sector,” Kristine said.

Get to Know event for repat community

Kristine Baroyan says she loves the Armenian nature, the people’s attitude and their hospitality. “I was surprised by the kindness of people. There are everyday things, which seemed strange to me, but as time passed I adapted and understood why people think this or that way.” Kristine Baroyan said.

Kristine Baroyan

Angela Hambardzumyan

Photos by Repat Armenia