03 Sep
NEWSARM, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

LILA Responsible Tourism Starts with Knowledge and Thrives Through Empowered Communities

From August 19 to 29, a series of targeted eco-tourism development trainings was held across communities in Lori and Vayots Dzor, marking a significant step toward advancing sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship at the local level.

The initiative was jointly implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Armenia (WWF-Armenia), within the framework of the LILA project, with the aim of unlocking and enhancing the ecotourism potential of Community-Managed Conservation Areas (CMCAs) and fostering active community engagement in the protection of natural resources through responsible tourism development.

Led by expert trainers from the Armenian Institute of Tourism, the training program combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on exercises, equipping participants with practical tools to develop and manage eco- and adventure tourism services in line with sustainability principles.

As a result of the training, CMCA stewards:

🔹 Analyzed the tourism potential of their local areas

🔹 Explored modern trends in adventure tourism

🔹 Studied tools and mechanisms for managing visitor flows in conservation areas

🔹 And most importantly, engaged in in-depth discussions on:

✔️ How to develop adventure tourism without harming the environment

✔️ The core Dos and Don’ts of nature-friendly tourism for visitors, guides, and organizers

The sessions also included hands-on exercises focused on:

➡ Key elements of organizing adventure tourism

➡ Ensuring safety standards and protocols

➡ Building decision-making and emergency response skills in real-life scenarios

This initiative:

  •  Injects new energy into local development
  • Supports biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
  • Opens pathways for inclusive, green economic growth in rural communities

Responsible tourism is more than an industry – it’s a mindset. And it begins with informed, empowered, and engaged communities.

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.

02 Sep
Uncategorized

IADAAM AEST: Supporting Farmers, Strengthening Communities

Agricultural Extension Service Vedi team continues its proactive visits to target communities, carefully assessing existing challenges and identifying the most effective solutions.

Our goal is not only to serve as extensionists – we strive to be a trusted partner. Every visit represents an opportunity to work together toward building a sustainable, resilient, and thriving agricultural sector.

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (IADAAM) project, financed through the European Union (EU) with implementation by the French Development Agency (AFD) is an integrated initiative aimed at transforming irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Within IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

02 Sep
Uncategorized

LILA Training Course for Emerging Regional Guides: Breathing New Life into Armenia’s Untapped Trails, Landscapes, and Communities

The “Training Course for Emerging Regional Guides”, launched under the LILA Project, continues its vital mission of unlocking the tourism potential of Lori, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor regions.

Last week, participants – residents of these very regions – took part in immersive, two-day practical field exercises that blended professional training with real-world adventure and discovery.

Throughout the sessions, participants:

  • Explored the unique ecological and cultural assets of their home regions;
  • Acquired practical guiding and interpretation skills to effectively lead and inform visitors;
  • Engaged with local communities to better understand and communicate traditional knowledge, history, and local narratives.

These hands-on exercises were designed not only to enhance professional competencies, but also to promote adventure and ecotourism as engines of sustainable development and to deepen community involvement in the tourism value chain.

The training is implemented by the Armenian Tourism Federation and the Armenian Guides Guild, adhering to internationally recognized standards and certification frameworks.

By building a strong foundation of local expertise and inclusive tourism practices, we are collectively shaping a sustainable, knowledge-based, and community-led future for tourism in Armenia.

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.

28 Aug
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

MAVETA Beekeeping Training for Displaced People from Nagorno-Karabakh and Local Vulnerable Groups

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a short-term training course titled “Basics of Beekeeping: Production and Marketing of Honey Products” was held in the Syunik region on August 25–26. The training targeted displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as local vulnerable groups.

The training was conducted by Tigran Sedrakyan, a representative of the “Beekeeping Forge Scientific and Educational Center”.

During the discussion, participants had the opportunity to learn the basics of beekeeping, key requirements for effective honey production, and mechanisms for marketing bee products. The training also covered sales strategies and legal regulations within the sector.

Throughout the sessions, participants acquired practical knowledge and approaches for initiating and expanding beekeeping activities in their communities.

The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.

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

22 Aug
Uncategorized

Why Multi-Crop Farms Are the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

As agriculture faces increasing pressures – from climate change and land degradation to economic uncertainty – multi-crop farming is emerging as a proven approach to achieving both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

Here are the key benefits of adopting multi-crop farming systems:

🔹 Enhanced Soil Fertility and Structure

By rotating or intercropping plant species with different nutrient needs and root structures, multicrop systems naturally replenish soil nutrients, improve organic matter, and reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers.

🔹 Natural Pest and Disease Management

Crop diversity disrupts the lifecycle of pests and pathogens. This ecological balance reduces the prevalence of crop-specific infestations and lowers the need for chemical interventions, leading to safer, more sustainable production.

🔹 Greater Climate Resilience

Diversified cropping systems are better equipped to withstand climate-related stresses such as droughts, floods, or temperature extremes. In the face of crop failure, multiple crops provide a safety net and stabilize yields.

🔹 Increased Farm Productivity and Profitability

By cultivating crops with staggered growing cycles and market demands, farmers can generate income throughout the year, reduce economic risks, and optimize land use without expanding agricultural boundaries.

🔹 Efficient Land and Resource Use

Multi-crop farms maximize the productivity of available land and resources, making farming systems more efficient and environmentally responsible.

🔹 Support for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Multi-cropping contributes to landscape-level biodiversity, supports beneficial insects and pollinators, and enhances ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, water retention, and carbon sequestration. These services are essential for building resilient agroecosystems that contribute to long-term sustainability.

Multi-crop farming represents a paradigm shift in agricultural development – moving away from extractive, high-input monocultures toward ecologically grounded, resource-efficient systems. It aligns with global goals for sustainable development, climate adaptation, and food security, offering a scientifically validated pathway for resilient and productive farming.

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (IADAAM) project, financed through the European Union (EU) with implementation by the French Development Agency (AFD) is an integrated initiative aimed at transforming irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Within IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

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