UNIDO GEF Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs in Armenia

In February 2013, Armenia became the first country in Eastern Europe to join the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs and startups which is implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF). The programme is supported by the Ministries of Nature Protection, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, and Agriculture. The programme is based on the model of Silicon Valley Cleantech Open accelerator, the national partners are Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), Small and medium Entrepreneurship development National center (SME DNC). Program will last for three years and is aimed to develop a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem that would effectively promote cleantech startups and SMEs development in Armenia as well as strengthen the policy of cleantech innovations. With that in mind, the programme will implement cleantech startups and SMEs competition, establish a cleantech startups and SMEs accelerator at Gyumri Techno Center (GTC) and open a cleantech labarotory, where startups and entrepreneurs will be able to test their models or receive consulting from professionals and mentors.