News


26 January 2010

Peace Corps Volunteer Request Application Package


The Community and Business Development (CBD) program was initiated in the spring of 1992 in response to the Armenian government's request for help with its transition to a free market economy.   The purpose of Peace Corps’ CBD project in Armenia is the following: Local organizations, businesses and community members will deliver high-quality services and expand opportunities for improving the quality of community life through effective use of communication, business and organizational skills and creating cooperative networks to share information and resources.

The three goals of the Peace Corps’s CBD project in Armenia are:
1)    Local business, government and community organizations and motivated individuals particularly youth and women will increase their opportunities and effectiveness by learning and using new business practices for effective use of local resources.
2)    Businesses, informal community groups and community based organizations (including municipalities and NGOs) will serve their communities through effective use of organizational management, teamwork and leadership skills.
3)    Municipalities, NGOs, community-based organizations, and informal community groups will effectively serve their communities by developing communication skills and networks of cooperation within their communities as well as externally.

Currently there are 20 CBD volunteers serving in Armenia in three focus areas: 1) Small enterprise development, 2) NGO development, and 3) IT development.  These 20 volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and experience.  The following is a list of past experience areas:


•    Small Enterprise Development
•    Quality Assurance & Customer Support (IT sector)
•    New Business Development/Sales (construction industry)
•    Computer programming
•    Financial Mgmt
•    Management & Supervision
•    Web-based development/QA
•    IT support
•    Market/Field Research & Data Analysis
•    Economic analyst
•    Software engineering
•    International Trade Administration
•    Regional Controller
•    Tax Mgmt/Bookkeeping
•    Chief Financial Officer
•    Micro-enterprise development
•    Retail contracting & sales
•    Customer Service
•    Retail Management
•    Radio broadcasting


Volunteers are placed with a primary organization with which they develop work plans and carry out development activities in their communities.  PCVs also engage in secondary projects ranging from summer camps to community development projects based on need, and are open to collaboration with other development agencies and implementing partners.  Limited funding is made available for community projects through USAID Small Project Assistance grants and Peace Corps Partnership Program funds.  Both programs require at least a 25% community contribution and formal application procedures to be considered for funding.

Application form can be downloaded here:
Host Family Application
Volunteer Request Form
Application Guide

For more information and to discuss potential collaboration with the CBD program, please contact the PC Armenia office Program & Training Officer and/or CBD Program Manager.

Stepan Shoyan, CBD Program Manager       
sshoyan@am.peacecorps.gov      

Nicholas Bruno, PTO
nbruno@am.peacecorps.gov


Peace Corps | Armenia
33 Charents Street, Yerevan | Ph: +374 10 524 450 | Fax: +374 10 550 488 |
email: pcarmenia@am.peacecorps.gov
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