Twenty two women entrepreneurs from Armenia will participate in a regional conference January 24-26 in Istanbul, organized by the U.S. Department of State as co-chair of the Community of Democracies Working Group on Gender Equality. This is the first of three conferences for women from Southern and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and marks the beginning of the Invest for the Future workshop, mentoring and exchange program. Invest for the Future represents the United States’ commitment to the future of women in the Southern and Eastern European and Eurasian regions by increasing economic opportunities and enhancing partnerships with Western European countries, European multilateral organizations, professional associations, and the private sector by: facilitating access of Southern and Eastern European and Eurasian women to business training, tools and resources, mentors, and professional organizations; creating networks among individuals committed to improving the economic opportunities for women in Europe; equipping Southern and Eastern European and Eurasian women with the tools necessary to effect positive change in their home economies, including small grants, educational exchanges, and ongoing mentoring; and convening regional and international leaders from the business sector to discuss ways to promote economic opportunities for women in Southern and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. One long-term goal of the initiative is to create a network of women business owners who can not only grow their own businesses but also serve as mentors to other emerging women entrepreneurs in Europe and advocate for a business-friendly environment in their countries. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA YEREVAN, ARMENIA

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