{{Short description|Armenian young adult cultural exchange program}} {{Infobox organization | name = Birthright Armenia | native_name = Դեպի Հայք | native_name_lang = hy | image = BRDHnewlogo.jpg | image_size = 220px | type = Educational charity;<br />cultural exchange | founded = 2003 | tax_id = | registration_id = | founder = Edele Hovnanian | headquarters = Yerevan | coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} --> | origins = | key_people = Linda Yepoyan, Board Member;<br />Sevan Kabakian, Country Director | region_served = Armenia | product = | mission = | focus = Volunteerism | method = | revenue = | endowment = | num_volunteers = 3000 | num_employees = | num_members = | subsid = | opponents = | owner = | non-profit_slogan = | former_name = | website = {{Official website|https://birthrightarmenia.org/}} | dissolved = | footnotes = }}
'''Birthright Armenia''', also known as '''Depi Hayk''' ({{langx|hy|Դեպի Հայք}}), is a volunteer internship enhancement program for diaspora Armenians that also offers travel reimbursements to eligible participants to assist in the development of Armenia.<ref name=microlinks>{{cite news |url=http://www.microlinks.org/file_download.php/Volunteers_FINAL.pdf?URL_ID=12661&filename=12850871451Volunteers_FINAL.pdf&filetype=application/pdf&filesize=1138987&name=Volunteers_FINAL.pdf&location=user-S/ |title=Connected Through Service: Diaspora Volunteers and Global Development |publisher=USAID |date=August 2010 |access-date=2011-05-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724153726/http://www.microlinks.org/file_download.php/Volunteers_FINAL.pdf?URL_ID=12661&filename=12850871451Volunteers_FINAL.pdf&filetype=application%2Fpdf&filesize=1138987&name=Volunteers_FINAL.pdf&location=user-S%2F |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref>
To volunteer with Birthright Armenia, the applicant has to be of Armenian heritage (at least one grandparent must be fully Armenian), between the ages of 21 and 32 years, and must have graduated from secondary school. The program operates year-round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otradovec |first=Hannah |date=2022-05-09 |title=Giving Back to the Motherland: Georgie Proctor’s Journey of Self-Discovery |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2022/05/09/giving-back-to-the-motherland-georgie-proctors-journey-of-self-discovery/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=The Armenian Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Organizational background == Birthright Armenia was established in 2003 by Edele Hovnanian who realized that every Armenian should have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Armenia to understand its people, culture, and struggles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mirror-Spectator |first=The Armenian |date=2011-02-18 |title=Volunteerism in The Homeland, Part I: Redefining Service: Philanthropist Edele Hovnanian |url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2011/02/17/volunteerism-in-the-homeland-part-i-redefining-service-philanthropist-edele-hovnanian/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref> The organization's goals include strengthening ties between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora youth representatives by providing them an opportunity to take part in the daily life of fellow Armenians.<ref>{{cite news |last=Segrè |first=Francesca |date=2008-05-25 |title=Matchmaking, the Ultimate Government Service |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/fashion/weddings/25FIELD.html?pagewanted=2 |access-date=2011-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sevan Kabakian: 'At Birthright Armenia, we give flight to people' |url=https://www.h-pem.com/en/interviews/2019/08/19/sevan-kabakian/15 |access-date=2020-09-21 |website=www.h-pem.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2007, the organization expanded its presence by opening an office in Gyumri. By 2012, in order to support the transition for alumni who move to Armenia, the "Pathway to Armenia program" was launched, which provided support with lodging and employment search. In 2013, Birthright Armenia further extended its reach by opening an office in Vanadzor. In 2015, the program celebrated a significant milestone by reaching 1,000 participants.<ref name=":2" />
== Program == Participants commit to a minimum of 30 hours of weekly volunteering or a university internship while given the choice of residing with local host families.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Luxner |first=Larry |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Birthright Armenia: Familiar goal, but with Caucasus twist |url=https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/birthright-armenia-familiar-goal-but-with-caucasus-twist/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref> The organization offers a variety of volunteer opportunities among 1,300+ partner organizations across sectors such as architecture, marketing, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, IT, and business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-25 |title=Complete your university internship in Armenia |url=https://www.birthrightarmenia.org/en/blog/complete-your-university-internship-in-armenia |access-date=2023-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125101037/https://www.birthrightarmenia.org/en/blog/complete-your-university-internship-in-armenia |archive-date=2023-11-25 }}</ref> The program also includes weekly excursions, in-office Armenian language classes, and weekly forums with guest speakers who talk about different topics regarding Armenia.<ref name=":0" />
== Eligibility == [[File:Birthright Armenia volunteers on excursion.jpg|thumb|Birthright Armenia volunteers on excursion in Noravank monastery, March 2020]] To participate, applicants must have at least one grandparent of Armenian ethnicity. They must also be aged between 21 and 32, having graduated from high school. Applicants born in Armenia must have left Armenia before the age of 15 and lived abroad for at least 10 years. Applicants who have primarily resided in Armenia for longer than the last three years are not eligible. Participants must agree to a minimum 9 week stay. Maximum program duration is one year. For the shorter term, there is a subsection of the program called Birthright Lite.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-23 |title=FAQ |url=https://www.birthrightarmenia.org/en/faq |access-date=2023-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023022028/https://www.birthrightarmenia.org/en/faq |archive-date=2023-10-23 }}</ref>
=== Birthright Lite === The organization has another option for full-time working professionals, regardless of age, who have limited time away from their jobs. They can apply to volunteer for four to nine weeks. Birthright Lite participants pay for travel, lodging, or host family costs.<ref name=":1" />
== Alumni == [[File:Welcoming 2000th Birthright Armenia volunteer.jpg|thumb|Meeting the 2000th volunteer at Zvartnots International Airport, February 2020]] Birthright Armenia has an alumni network of more than 3000 individuals from 57 countries, 300 of which have repatriated to Armenia.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Birthright Armenia a strong bridge between Armenia and Diaspora: program for volunteers continues actively |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1094337.html |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=armenpress.am |language=en}}</ref> The organization supports alumni initiatives through grants, which enable alumni to make positive impacts both in Armenia and around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-21 |title=Micro Grants for Alumni |url=https://birthrightarmenia.org/en/program/alumni/micro-grants-for-alumni |access-date=2023-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121185231/https://birthrightarmenia.org/en/program/alumni/micro-grants-for-alumni |archive-date=2023-11-21 }}</ref> Also, Birthright Armenia supports those who want to stay in Armenia after completing the program. Alumni can receive free temporary housing, as well as employment support, regular consultations with staff members, and access to a network of experienced repatriates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-21 |title=Pathway to Armenia {{!}} Birthright Armenia |url=https://birthrightarmenia.org/en/program/alumni/pathway-to-armenia |access-date=2023-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121185907/https://birthrightarmenia.org/en/program/alumni/pathway-to-armenia |archive-date=2023-11-21 }}</ref>
== Similar organizations == Another similar project is Birthright Greece, aimed at the Greek Diaspora.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newvoices.org/features/birthright-israel-meet-birthright-armenia-2.html |title=Birthright Israel, Meet Birthright Armenia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512150217/http://newvoices.org/features/birthright-israel-meet-birthright-armenia-2.html |archive-date=12 May 2008 |author=Jeremy Gillick |date=5 May 2008}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Society}} * Armenian Volunteer Corps * Genealogy tourism * Repat Armenia * Repatriation of Armenians
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://birthrightarmenia.org/}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111005082106/http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-07-23-birthright-armenia-subject-of-usc-case-study--moving-forward- Birthright Armenia - Subject of USC case study "Moving Forward"] * [https://www.mirrorspectator.com/?p=4629 Volunteerism in The Homeland, Part I: Redefining Service: Philanthropist Edele Hovnanian]
Category:2003 establishments in Armenia Category:Armenian diaspora Category:Cultural heritage Category:Cultural exchange Category:Youth organizations based in Armenia Category:Organizations based in Yerevan Category:Organizations established in 2003