“Women’s Economic Empowerment” and “Climate Change Awareness”

On August 18, 2021, within the framework of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” project implemented by Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, a training course on “Women’s Economic Empowerment” and “Climate Change Awareness” was held for female farmers from target communities of Gegharkunik region.

Within the topic of “Women’s Economic Empowerment” the impact of women’s role in agriculture, as well as the importance of developing their leadership and decision-making skills were presented based on the fact that a large number of women in Armenia involved in agriculture, more specifically in the livestock sector, who have a huge impact in economic development.

In the second part of the training, the participants got acquainted with the current situation on climate change in Armenia and the crucial issues that need to be addressed, pointing out that women are more vulnerable in this area, which is why climate change and women’s activities should be considered as a single whole.

The course was held with an active Q&A, as well as practical exercises’ format. In the end, the participants received agricultural gifts.

“Women’s Economic Empowerment” training course

On August 5, 2021, within the framework of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” project implemented by Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, a training course on “Women’s Economic Empowerment” was held at Amasia Municipality.

During the training, the participants were introduced to the existing social differences between women and men, the peculiarities of the roles assigned to them by society, the vision of equal rights and opportunities, and partnership relationships between men and women. During the training, it was also presented the chain impact that women’s involvement in economic development can have.

The training had an interactive format — during the entire process, women expressed their opinions, shared their observations on the role and responsibilities of women and men in their communities and families, identified existing problems and suggested possible solutions.

The participants were very interested in the historical overview of the role and significance of women in Armenia and worldwide, as well as the achievements and successes of women in leading positions in the modern world.

Two-day training on “Climate Change and Livestock Development Sustainability”

2021 On July 27, within the framework of  the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” project implemented by Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, two-day training on “Climate Change and Sustainable Livestock Development Interconnection” was held as a part of “Environmental Awareness, Raising Youth Interest in the Livestock Sector” campaign for 20 young people from the active groups of SDA NGO’s beneficiary communities of Shirak marz.

The purpose of the training was to involve young people in the field of livestock or to introduce innovative professional ideas for the sustainable development of livestock.

The training consisted of two stages: theoretical and practical.

On the first day of the training, at the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO’s office in Gyumri the participants were presented with theoretical material on the topic of “Climate change and sustainable development of livestock” which referred to the general ecological situation in Armenia, serious environmental disasters its use can lead to contributing to climate change.

To make the material more figurative, during the lesson, the young participants visited the cattle farm in Azatan , where the young people demonstrated the need of using water-saving, energy-saving, minimizing harmful emission technologies.

On the second day of the training, the participants visited the community Veterinary Point of Salut village, established within the framework of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” project, where the environmental risks (collection, separation, neutralization) defined for veterinary centers and their management mechanisms were presented.

The training was summed up with the “Dream Community” group game. The groups presented the communities designed by them which will contribute to the sustainable development of livestock.

“Development/ modernization of pasture rotation scheme” seminar in Gyualagarak

“Development/modernization of pasture rotation scheme” seminar was organized in Gyualagarak  community for the local self-governance bodies and pasture users on August 6,2021 within the framework of the pilot project “Introducing pasture and grassland maps for sustainable pasture and grasslands management practices in Lori and Shirak marzes of Armenia”.

The purpose of the seminar was to present development/modernization procedures of pasture rotation scheme to the local self governing bodies and administrative heads of rural settlements and pasture users who are specialized in cattle breeding.

In total 17 heads of rural settlements, pasture users and other community specialists, as well as project representatives have participated in the training.

The project is financed by the GIZ ECOSERVE Project, with co-financing of the “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” project implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Training course for “National Association of Veterinarians” NGO’s member veterinarians on “Caesarean section and cattle rumenotomy”

On August 4-5, 2021, with the support of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” project implemented by Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and with co-initiation of  “National Association of Veterinarians” (NAV) NGO, a training course on “Caesarean section and cattle rumenotomy” was held in “Syunik Animal Market” to develop the capacities and skills of “National Association of Veterinarians” NGO’s member veterinarians.

In total 18 veterinarians participated in the training. The RA Deputy Minister of Economy Mr. T. Gabrielyan was invited as a trainer, who is also a member of the NAV NGO.

The two-day course consisted of theoretical and practical parts. The first day was dedicated to a theoretical part, during which the instructions of caesarean section and cattle rumenotomy,  actions and features of preoperative, surgical, postoperative operations were introduced to the participants. The theoretical part had a format of professional discussions and Q&As. A presentation and discussion of the association’s further work also took place during the first day with an emphasise to solve the issue of specialists’ certification.

On the second day of the meeting, a practical surgery on a sick animal was done to present the techniques of the caesarean section and cattle rumenotomy in detail. Participants strengthened their theoretical knowledge and gained practical skills for delivering the surgery. The veterinarians were actively involved in the surgery process and performed some interventions.