Bears&Berries

Bears&Berries is a multifunctional eco-center and social enterprise located in Berd, Armenia. Established by the Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation (BWRCF), it aims to economically empower local women by combining the production of handmade teddy bears and berry cultivation.

Key Features of Bears&Berries:

Handmade Teddy Bears:

Continuing the legacy of the “Berd Bears” initiative, local women craft high-quality, handmade teddy bears. This not only preserves traditional Armenian handicraft techniques but also provides sustainable employment opportunities.

Berry Cultivation:

The eco-center cultivates various berries, including efforts to grow wild blueberries native to the Tavush mountains. These berries are used to produce eco-friendly products, promoting local agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

Guest Accommodation:

Bears&Berries offers lodging options, allowing visitors to stay and experience the local culture firsthand. Guests can participate in activities such as berry picking and bear-making workshops.

Masterclasses and Workshops:

The center organizes various masterclasses, including crocheting and berry product preparation, enabling visitors to learn new skills and engage with the community. bidfortrip.com

By integrating these activities, Bears&Berries serves as a hub for cultural preservation, women’s empowerment, and eco-tourism in the Berd community.

Berd Bears is one of the sustainable projects of BWRC, through which local women produce various handmade items, including the well-known “Berd Bears”, which are sold also on the international market. This initiative provides employment for women and uses the income generated to fund healthcare, educational, and social services for local women.

The “Safe-Cave” program is designed and implemented by the Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As part of the program, a women-only fitness club was established in the Berd community, aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity. Training sessions are held for women aged 18 to 50, and for around 30 women, this is their first experience participating in activities outside the home. This initiative plays an important role in improving women’s well-being and mental health. The goal of the program is to create a safe and supportive environment where women can engage in physical activity, strengthen their health, and build social connections. “Safe-Cave” is a significant step toward empowering women in the Berd community and improving their quality of life.

The “Handmade Artsakh” program is implemented by the Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation and aims to support women displaced from Artsakh by ensuring their employment and social integration. Within the program’s framework, women are engaged in creating handmade products, which helps them acquire new skills and generate income. The program plays an important role not only in the economic empowerment of women but also in the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage by promoting the development of traditional handicrafts.