More than 80 participants, including over 50 women entrepreneurs, gathered in Yerevan on 18 March for a GEFF in Armenia event exploring how green finance can work in practice for women-led businesses.
The event brought together a broad mix of stakeholders, including representatives from the EBRD, the Central Bank of Armenia, and around 15 representatives from financial institutions, alongside business networks and green technology providers.
The discussion focused less on concepts and more on decisions. What technologies are available, how financing works, and what it takes to move from interest to investment.
Opening the event, Gernot Kuhlisch, Programme Manager of GEFF in Armenia, pointed to a shift already underway. Women entrepreneurs are not only participating in the green transition, but increasingly shaping it, provided they have access to finance, technology and expertise.
That gap remains a challenge. As highlighted by International Gender Expert Victoria Stefaniuk, many women entrepreneurs still face barriers in accessing information and navigating financial products.
“Access to finance is only part of the picture. For many women entrepreneurs, understanding the available options and feeling confident in making investment decisions is equally critical. Bridging this gap requires not only financial products, but also clear information and practical support,” she noted.
At the same time, examples presented during the event showed that change is already happening. Andro Butkhuzi, Deputy Manager of GEFF in Armenia, outlined investment opportunities and introduced the Green Technology Selector, alongside cases of businesses already adopting more sustainable solutions. The session also featured the presentation of the newly developed GEFF gender brochure, highlighting available support and practical pathways for women-led businesses to engage in green investments.
Technology providers Celsius LLC and EcoStep LLC demonstrated solutions already available on the Armenian market, from heating systems to solar installations and energy-efficient equipment.
A panel discussion brought together representatives from the EBRD, financial institutions, business associations and women entrepreneurs to exchange perspectives on how to strengthen cooperation and improve access to green finance for women-led businesses.
Discussions continued beyond the formal sessions, with entrepreneurs, financial institutions and technology providers exploring concrete projects and next steps.
The strong engagement throughout the event reflected a growing shift. Interest in green finance among women entrepreneurs in Armenia is increasingly translating into real investment decisions.
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