21 Nov
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Shaping Tomorrow’s Livestock Sector: INLIMA ’s Working Visit to Shirak

The team of the “Innovative Livestock Management: Animal Migration, Breeding & Markets” (INLIMA) project, led by Project Manager Vahe Hovhannisyan, carried out a working visit to Shirak, one of the project’s target regions.

At the Shirak Regional Administration, the team held discussions with Albert Ayvazyan, Deputy Governor of Shirak Region and representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, focusing on the project’s strategic priorities and potential avenues for collaboration.

The project team also visited the “Gyumri Breeding Station” CJSC, where they met with its Director, Levon Ananyan, to present the project’s overarching objectives, innovative approaches, and the prospects for joint initiatives.

These meetings provided a valuable platform for aligning perspectives and defining the forthcoming steps of cooperation, laying a solid groundwork for modernizing the livestock sector in Shirak and ensuring the sustained impact of the INLIMA project

“Innovative Livestock Management: Animal Migration, Breeding & Markets” (INLIMA) project is implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation.

18 Nov
Uncategorized

SDA Participated in Consultative Workshops on the Establishment of the “Jermuk” and “Tatev” National Parks, Showcasing Successful Practices from the LILA Project

On November 12 in Vayots Dzor and November 14 in Syunik, two high-level consultative workshops were held within the “Biodiversity and Protected Areas” component of the Biodiversity and Sustainable Local Development in Armenia program. The discussions focused on the establishment processes of the “Jermuk” and “Tatev” National Parks.

The workshops addressed key issues related to defining the boundaries of the parks, outlining future management models, and exploring opportunities for economic and tourism collaboration with local communities.

The Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO presented the successful experience developed under the economic component of the LILA project, specifically in advancing the value chain in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The outcomes of the LILA project demonstrate that fostering responsible tourism, mobilizing community potential, and applying integrated approaches to environmental conservation can simultaneously ensure effective management of protected areas and promote sustainable local economic growth.

We are confident that the best practices shared and the discussions held during these workshops will support the creation of sustainable and efficient management systems for the new national parks, strengthen community engagement, and stimulate joint development initiatives.

SDA NGO remains committed to supporting efforts that contribute to local economic development, environmental protection, and the promotion of responsible tourism.

Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with SDA NGO.

12 Nov
Uncategorized

IADAAM Mapping Stakeholders, Cultivating Impact: AEST and MoE Teams Build New Skills

On November 12, 2025, the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM)” Project organized a training session on “Stakeholder Mapping and Data Collection.”

The training, led by Anna Sargsyan, Monitoring and Evaluation Expert of the IADAAM Project, brought together representatives of the Agricultural Extension Support Team (AEST) and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE).

The training focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of stakeholder mapping as a dynamic and ongoing process essential for effective project implementation. It covered key principles, approaches, and methodologies for identifying, analyzing, and classifying stakeholders, as well as techniques for data collection and analysis relevant to the project’s objectives.

By fostering collaboration and innovation, the session equipped AEST and MoE teams to drive evidence-based change in Armenia’s irrigated agriculture sector.

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.

06 Nov
Uncategorized

Strategic Development Agency at WTM London 2025: When Virtual Areni Meets Real London

We are proud to share that Alla Ghazaryan, Coordinator of the LILA Project, participated in WTM London 2025, representing Strategic Development Agency (SDA) and promoting sustainable tourism together with LILA Project partners — Nueva Vista DMC and Tour Operator, and AM TRAVEL – alongside the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

This year’s participation was particularly special – for the first time, a Virtual Reality (VR) experience was presented from Armenia’s side, offering visitors an immersive Areni-1 Cave wine-tasting journey.

As one of the world’s leading travel and tourism events, WTM London provides an incredible platform to connect with global industry leaders, explore emerging trends shaping the future of travel, and, most importantly, showcase Armenia as a unique and desirable tourism destination rich in culture, history, and innovation.

Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with SDA NGO.

03 Nov
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Practical Knowledge for New Opportunities: SEIRA Trainings in Syunik on “Best Practices in Sheep Breeding”

On October 30, within the framework of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project, a short-term training course on “Best Practices in Sheep Breeding” was held at The Ranch in Syunik region.

The training was organized for forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh currently residing in the communities of Goris and Sisian. Its main goal was to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills that would enable them to establish sustainable employment and income opportunities in the field of sheep breeding.

Trainer Mikayel Haykuni introduced participants to key aspects of sheep breeding, including main production directions, specific features and prospects of the sector in Armenia, feeding practices, lamb rearing, reproduction, and disease prevention. The importance of biosecurity measures was also emphasized as a cornerstone of successful farm management.

The knowledge gained through this training will serve as a practical foundation, allowing participants to make more effective use of future support provided under the SEIRA project.

Such initiatives not only transfer new knowledge but also bring people together by:
📍 fostering socio-economic cohesion,

📍 supporting the full integration of refugees into local economies,

📍 turning agriculture into a driving force for community revival.

The SEIRA project consistently transforms challenges into opportunities for growth, contributing to the development of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities in Armenia.

“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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