27 May
Uncategorized

MAVETA: Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in TVET

Within the framework of the #MAVETA project, efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between the private sector and TVET institutions continue across the Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, and Gegharkunik regions of Armenia.

Ararat Regional State College, Armavir Regional State College, Kotayk Regional State College, and Gavar State Agricultural College organized meetings with representatives of private sector companies operating in their respective regions. The meetings aimed to foster new cooperation opportunities and support preparations for the introduction of dual education programmes.

Starting from September, the above-mentioned colleges are expected to introduce several dual education specialties, including:

  • Refrigeration Systems
  • Installation and Operation of Drip Irrigation Systems
  • Greenhouse Management
  • Veterinary Medicine

During the meetings, participants were introduced to the key features of the dual education, the specialties, and the main provisions of cooperation agreements between educational institutions and employers.

Discussions also explored potential modalities for private sector engagement, particularly in relation to students’ practical training, professional skills development, and the alignment of education with labour market needs.

As a result of the meetings, preliminary agreements were reached to continue cooperation discussions and proceed with the signing of partnership agreements in the near future. Representatives of the private sector also expressed their readiness to actively contribute to the implementation of dual education and strengthening the link between education and the labour market.

The MAVETA project is financed  by a broad coalition of international and local organisations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency and the Government of Armenia.  

The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).

25 May
NEWSARM

MAVETA Representatives and Partners Featured on Public Radio of Armenia

Representatives and partners of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project were hosted on the “Dprutyun” program of Public Radio of Armenia.

The discussion featured:

  • Lilit Beglaryan – VET Consultant of the MAVETA Project at the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO
  •  Vardan Vardanyan – Director of the A. Kochinyan Agricultural College of the Armenian National Agrarian University
  • Harutyun Tsatryan – Director of “ELOLA” CJSC

The discussion focused on dual education, the development of specialists equipped with skills aligned with modern labor market needs, and the creation of new opportunities in the agricultural sector.

We will be pleased to share the full program soon.

22 May
Uncategorized

RECONOMY Discussion on the Development of Armenia’s Startup Ecosystem

RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project supported the implementation of the “Policy Design for Armenia’s Startup Ecosystem” research, the findings of which were presented during the expert consultation meeting organized by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) in Yerevan on May 22.

The consultation provided an important platform to examine interim research findings on Armenia’s startup financing landscape, international best practices, and policy instruments that could contribute to building a more resilient, innovation-driven, and competitive entrepreneurial environment. Particular attention was given to the adaptation of successful international models to the Armenian context, taking into account local market realities, investment dynamics, and the evolving needs of technology-driven enterprises.

From the perspective of the RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project, such discussions are essential as digitalization and innovation are no longer solely technological priorities – they are increasingly central to economic competitiveness, workforce development, productivity growth, and regional cooperation. A stronger startup ecosystem can serve as a catalyst for investment attraction, job creation, technological advancement, and sustainable economic development.

The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration among the private sector, development programmes, policymakers, and industry experts. Inclusive and evidence-based policy discussions are critical for designing practical and impactful support mechanisms that respond to the real needs of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

RECONOMY remains committed to supporting initiatives that advance competitiveness, digital transformation, innovation, and the long-term development of dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems across Armenia and the wider region.

RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by Helvetas in partnership with the Strategic Development Agency NGO and others in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.

20 May
Uncategorized

IADAAM in Schools: Growing Knowledge, Growing Futures

IADAAM Project has officially launched its school awareness and engagement visits, aimed at introducing students to the world of modern, climate-resilient, and innovative agriculture.

Students of Avshar Secondary School were welcomed by Susana Martins, International Aid and Cooperation Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, and Audrey Gourdien, Project Manager for Armenia at the French Development Agency (AFD), who both highlighted the importance of youth education, advanced agriculture, and the sustainable development of rural communities.

The IADAAM project brings an important message to schools: agriculture in the 21st century is no longer only a tradition. It is innovation, technology, environmental responsibility, and one of the key drivers of future development.

This initiative aims to nurture a generation of informed, responsible, and innovative young people who will shape a more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural future for Armenia.

Every seed planted today has the potential to grow into meaningful change tomorrow.

The Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) project, financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented with the support of the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement), aims to transform irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Implemented by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the project’s technical assistance is provided by a consortium comprising AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO, and 3R Strategy LLC, with the aim of strengthening agricultural policy and advancing sector reforms.

13 May
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

SEIRA Field Visit – Promoting Sustainable Community Development and Socio-Economic Inclusion

The “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project continues to advance sustainable socio-economic integration and resilience-building for refugee and vulnerable host communities across Armenia.

Implemented jointly by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the three-year initiative supports livelihood diversification, agricultural resilience, and inclusive economic development in the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions. Through targeted support to smallholder farmers, local enterprises, and vulnerable households, the project aims to strengthen long-term self-reliance and community cohesion.

To observe the progress achieved under the SEIRA project and engage directly with beneficiaries, a delegation led by Ursula Laubly, Deputy Head of Mission of Switzerland in Armenia and Deputy Regional Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), together with representatives of SDA and WFP, conducted a joint field visit to the Gegharkunik and Syunik regions on May 11-12.

During the visit, the delegation met with beneficiaries involved in livestock breeding, berry cultivation, bakery production, fodder production, and other income-generating agricultural activities. Discussions highlighted the project’s contribution to strengthening food security, expanding livelihood opportunities, and supporting the long-term resilience of both refugee and host communities.

By investing in livelihoods, strengthening local capacities, and fostering long-term opportunities for both refugee and host communities, the SEIRA project is laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive communities across Armenia – where recovery is transformed into sustainable development and shared progress.

The “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO and the UN World Food Programme.

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