About us
The “BLEJAN” Environmental, Social, and Business Support NGO began its activities in 2007.
The organization is committed to promoting the harmonious development of the environmental, social, and economic sectors.
The organization operates on the basis of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and the NGO’s charter.
The Organizations Operating Principles
Legality
Voluntariness
Self Governance
Equality Before The Law
Transparency
The organization operates throughout the Republic of Armenia and, when necessary, also in foreign countries, in accordance with the legislation of those countries.
Organization address: 16, 1st Lane, Dashtoyan St., Gavar, Gegharkunik Province, Republic of Armenia.
The organization’s areas of activity and objectives
To support the design and implementation of programs carried out in the environmental, social, agricultural, and other sectors.
To promote the public’s active participation in decision-making processes by ensuring transparency, accountability, and the representation of public interests.
To promote regional and international cooperation, especially in the areas of environmental protection, youth development, and community participation.
To support initiatives aimed at human ecology, family well-being, health protection, and overcoming social challenges.
To develop and promote opportunities for tourism and ecotourism, and to strengthen community-based tourism.
To support the advancement of agriculture, trade, and industry while strengthening the capacities and sustainable development of small and medium-sized businesses.
To help reveal and utilize young people’s potential by engaging them in processes related to sustainable development, environmental protection, social innovation, and community initiatives.
To build bridges of cooperation with similar organizations operating in Armenia and abroad in order to exchange experience, disseminate new knowledge, and implement joint initiatives.
To organize and/or support professional discussions, roundtables, conferences, trainings, and courses in various fields.
To implement other programs and activities arising from the organization’s statutory objectives, for the benefit of the sustainable development of the environment, society, and the economy.
THE ORGANIZATION’S AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND OBJECTIVES
A brief note on the origin of the name ‘BLEJAN’
Blejan is a mountain in Western Armenia, in the mountainous part of the Mush Plain, in the Bulanukh district.
Blejan is the highest peak of the Bulama mountain range. It is considered one of the three peaks near Lake Van—Nemrut, Sipan, and Blejan. People have also called Blejan the “arrow” of Sipan, because it was regarded as the sharp point (the apex) of the triangle formed by Nemrut, Sipan, and Blejan.
According to tradition, the battle between Hayk Nahapet and the forces of Bel took place on the slopes of Mount Blejan, on the bank of the Aratsani River. After Bel was struck down, his army—made up of his children and clan—abandoned his body and fled. Hayk Nahapet ordered Bel’s body to be buried on the highest peak of the Bulama range so that all future enemies of his lineage would see and remember that anyone who comes against the Haykians with an army will meet the same fate as Bel.
The mountain that sheltered Bel’s body was called by the people “Bel’s soul” / “Bel’s body,” and in popular speech this name gradually became “Blejan.”
On the slopes of Blejan, in the direction of Manazkert, Alashkert, and Daroynk (often mistakenly referred to as Bayazet), lies the Armenian city of Kop, the center of Bulanukh; and toward Mush and Sasun lies Latar village, the summer residence of the princely house of Prosh.
On the mountainside of Blejan is Khacheghbor (or Khachlvenk) Lake, which, after Lakes Van and Nazik, is the third largest in that region. The lake is fed by the Kop River, which originates in the Bulama mountains and then flows into the Aratsani River.
In honor of the struggle between Hayk and Bel and Hayk Nahapet’s heroic victory, Mush and Sasun, as the historical center of his land, were traditionally called Hark, meaning “Land of the Fathers.”
Mount Blejan is the highest peak of the Armenian province of Hark.
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