Last week, we gathered our 2025 cohort of fellows from the ACBA Federation, Ucom, Vahé & Lucie Foundation, and Zartir Fellowship programs for a less structured year-end get-together. With their programs set to conclude this spring, the informal meeting helped us to keep our hand on the pulse of their experiences and acted as a much-needed mid-program check-in.
The conversations were flowing as we created space for fellows to reflect on their most significant challenges, key operational lessons, and professional milestones from the past months. These conversations moved beyond abstract learning, focusing on practical hurdles, helping them to understand that they are not alone in their struggles.
We asked about the highs and the lows, the unexpected turns, and the lessons that clung to them. Their answers painted a vivid picture, not one of seamless success, but of problems solved, assumptions challenged, and confidence earned through doing.
A key revelation was discovering how many fellows were still unaware of the full range of ongoing support available to them at Impact Hub Yerevan. We encouraged them to further tap into our community events, utilize our coworking space for focused work, leverage our professional network for introductions, and even host their own events in our spaces. We hope that this will open a new chapter of engagement, ensuring they maximize every benefit of being part of our ecosystem.
Perhaps the most crucial part of the gathering was when the tables turned. This was our chance to listen, truly listen, to what they needed. How could the program have served them better? What was missing? Their feedback was honest, constructive, and generous, and is the most precious blueprint we have. It’s the raw material that will help us refine the fellowship experience, ensuring the path is even clearer, more supportive, and more impactful for those who follow in their footsteps.
The group moved outside to a bonfire, sharing hot cocoa, toasting marshmallows, and enjoying the warmth of glintvine. The informal atmosphere sparked spontaneous conversations, and we even celebrated a fellow’s birthday with cake, a simple, shared moment that reinforced the community they’ve built.
We extend our sincere thanks to the partners who enable this work: ACBA Federation, Ucom, the Vahé & Lucie Foundation, and the Whitt Family Foundation. Their commitment provides the essential platform for this practical, impact-driven learning.
As we head into the final months, the path forward is clearer. With a better understanding of resources available and a strengthened sense of community, our fellows are ready to take on the final steps of the program ahead!