Forcibly Displaced Artsakh Families Move Into Homes Built by Tufenkian Foundation in Syunik

The first families from Artsakh have begun moving into newly built homes in the village of Svarants in Armenia’s Syunik Province. These families, originally from the Martakert region of Artsakh, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the handover of the first ten houses completed by the Tufenkian Foundation. The homes are part of the Foundation’s Come to Svarants Resettlement program, which supports Armenians who were forcibly displaced from Artsakh following Azerbaijan’s occupation.

The event gathered many partners who contributed to the program. Representatives of the Tufenkian Foundation joined local officials from the Tatev municipality and the Syunik regional administration. Members of international development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and residents of Svarants also attended to welcome the families.

During the ceremony, leaders from the Foundation explained the long-term goals of the project. Antranig Kasbarian, Trustee of the Tufenkian Foundation, said, “For more than 25 years, the Tufenkian Foundation has focused on communities and regions too often overlooked. This neighborhood is a key component of our Syunik Village Revitalization Program and is one of the very few collective resettlement initiatives serving families displaced from Artsakh. Our work extends far beyond building homes—we are also investing in the long-term socio-economic and infrastructure development that will benefit the entire village.”

Guests were invited to walk through the new neighborhood to see the work completed so far. Alongside the homes, the Foundation has built new barns to support agricultural and livestock activities. Several other economic and community development projects are also underway in the village.

Greg Bedian, Director of Operations at the Tufenkian Foundation, underlined the importance of helping families resettle with dignity and stability. “Today marks a new beginning for these forcibly displaced families from Artsakh as they rebuild their lives in Armenia,” he said. “In partnership with the government, international development agencies, and various foundations and NGOs, we are working to create real opportunities for these new families and the existing villagers to thrive and to strengthen the broader community.”

Local authorities also expressed support for the initiative. Hayk Harutyunyan, Deputy Governor of Syunik Province, said that the regional administration sees the program as essential for the future of the area. He reaffirmed the government’s readiness to continue cooperating with the Foundation on current and future projects in Svarants and across Syunik.

Construction of the homes began in mid-2025. The project used advanced prefabricated building technologies, allowing the houses to be finished quickly while ensuring they meet modern standards. The Foundation also prioritized employing professionals from Artsakh by hiring an Artsakh architect and two construction firms from Artsakh. This approach created jobs while helping displaced families take part in rebuilding their own futures.

Each home is built to offer stability, safety, and long-term comfort. The houses include essential infrastructure to support daily life and future growth. The goal is to help families not only find shelter but also rebuild their lives in a supportive and sustainable environment.

The Come to Svarants project is part of the Tufenkian Foundation’s larger Syunik Revitalization Program. This broader effort aims to strengthen Armenia’s southern province by developing rural communities, improving infrastructure, and supporting sustainable resettlement. The program works closely with international development partners, nonprofit groups, and the Armenian government at all levels.

With the first homes now complete and families beginning to settle in, the initiative marks an important step in creating a stable future for those displaced from Artsakh and in supporting long-term development in Syunik.

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