06 Mar
Uncategorized

LILA Project at ITB Berlin 2025 International Tourism Exhibition

The ITB Berlin 2025 international tourism exhibition is taking place in Berlin from March 4–6, where the RA Tourism Committee is representing Armenia with a large unified pavilion.

With the support of the Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project, partner tour operators Nueva Vista and Rubentours are also participating in ITB Berlin 2025.

Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been a leading global platform for the travel and tourism industry. This year, it is held under the slogan “The World of Travel Lives Here” and showcases various market segments, including adventure tourism, business travel, medical tourism, and travel technologies.

LILA project partners, along with project coordinator Alla Ghazaryan, are presenting Armenia’s adventure tourism potential and nature-based experiences to visitors, industry professionals, and potential partners. Through various meetings and networking opportunities, they highlight the sustainable and inclusive tourism initiatives developed within the framework of the LILA project.

Participation in ITB Berlin 2025 aims to promote Armenia’s tourism potential on an international stage, attract more visitors, and contribute to sustainable community development.

 

LILA project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by the WWF Armenian Office (WWF-Armenia) in partnership with the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO.

27 Feb
NEWSARM

MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a two-day event titled “MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture» took place in Dilijan on February 25-26. The event brought together students and lecturers from Stepanavan Agricultural and Berd Multifunctional State Colleges, and pupils, alongside private sector representatives.

The event aimed to increase interest among school students from Lori and Tavush marzes in agricultural professions, showcasing the sector’s advantages and the growing demand for skilled specialists.

Lilit Beglaryan, VET Consultant for the MAVETA project, introduced the dual education and professions launched within the project and highlighted key achievements.

In her opening speech, Monique Freyer, Senior VET Advisor at HEKS/EPER, addressed the sector’s challenges, shared best practices from Switzerland, and discussed efforts to adapt and implement them in Armenia.

During the MAVETAtalks presentations, VET and private sector representatives shared their experiences, successes, and motivational insights.

The second part of the event featured a panel discussion titled ”Gender Equality in VET: Overcoming Barriers and Creating Opportunities in Agriculture.” Mariam Melikyan, Gender Equality Specialist at the Strategic Development Agency NGO, presented data on gender equality and social inclusion in Armenia, comparing it with international trends.

Participants then explored gender stereotypes in agricultural professions and discussed the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in the sector.

To conclude, schoolchildren engaged in a role-playing activity, expressing their thoughts and ideas about careers in agriculture, making the event both educational and interactive․

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).

25 Feb
Uncategorized

“North-South” Experience Exchange Among MAVETA Project Partners

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO organized an experience exchange visit to Lori on February 20-21, bringing together representatives from the private sector and vocational education and training (VET) institutions of Syunik and Lori marzes.

On the first day, Narine Abrahamyan, business consultant for the MAVETA project, and Mikayel Haykuni, animal health and breeding specialist at SDA, led discussions on the unique aspects of animal behavior in the Syunik and Lori regions, strategies for improving farm profitability, and their effectiveness.

Participants were also introduced to the “HOVIV” farm digitalization application. Co-founders Van Avetisyan and Naira Musayelyan demonstrated how the app enables farmers and educators to manage daily farm operations through digital tools and monitor animal movements via GPS technology.

On the second day, participants visited the farms of Vahan Grigoryan in Tashir and Meruzhan Gharibyan in Getavan to explore modern agricultural practices firsthand.

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).

24 Feb
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

Leadership Training for MAVETA Project Partners

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a training session on “Developing Leadership and Management Skills” was held in Yerevan on February 19-20 for the management staff of partner colleges.

The two-day training, led by Arshavir Ghukasyan, covered key topics such as leadership and management styles, proactivism, interest theories, and the benefits of SWOT analysis.

Participants also had the opportunity to apply their knowledge through interactive exercises, enhancing their skills to improve workplace efficiency.

 

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).

21 Feb
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

#IADAAM Training on “Needs Assessment Questionnaire Instructions”

Within the framework of “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (#IADAAM) project, a training course on “Needs Assessment Questionnaire Instructions” was held on February 20, led by Anna Sargsyan, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Strategic Development Agency.

This training aimed to facilitate and modernize the process of assessing the needs of farmers receiving agricultural extension services under the IADAAM program. For this purpose, Anna Sargsyan, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Strategic Development Agency, developed and digitized a questionnaire (bilingual, with the option of choosing Armenian and English), which will be used through the KoBoToolbox mobile data collection tool. The surveys will be conducted face-to-face, using a laptop or tablet.

The aim of the training was to train field team members and interviewers – coordinators and experts of the IADAAM project’s agricultural extension service, to conduct surveys among farmers using the digital tool (KoBoToolbox). This training will help participants to conduct accurate and efficient farmer needs assessments using the developed digital tool.

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 the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas.

 

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