24 Jan
Uncategorized

LILA Project at the FITUR Madrid – 2025 International Tourism Exhibition

On January 22 the FITUR Madrid 2025 world tourist exhibition commenced in Madrid. The Tourism Committee of RA presented Armenia with a single large pavilion.

Nueva Vista and AM Travel, partners of the project, also participated in FITUR-2025 with the support of the “Living Landscapes of Armenia for Market Development” (LILA) project.

Fitur is the first appointment of the year for the world’s tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.

The partner tour operators of the LILA project presented the tourist attraction and indigenous experiences of Armenia, as well as the sustainable, inclusive tourism results created within the framework of the LILA project.

At the exhibition, the Armenian representatives had the opportunity to communicate with visitors, specialists and potential partners.

Participation in the exhibition aimed to showcase the country’s tourism potential and offers on the international stage, to attract more tourists to Armenia and promote sustainable 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.

24 Jan
NEWSARM

“New Extensionist Learning Kit” (NELK) Modules Launched

On January 23, within the framework of “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (#IADAAM) project, the module series “New Extensionist Learning Kit” has launched, led by Avenue Consulting Group’s Chief Management Consultant Anna Mkhitaryan.

The modules are intended for agricultural extension service coordinators, experts and local government representatives of the Ararat and Armavir marzes of the Republic of Armenia.

The 13-module series aims to introduce the key skills required of a new extension professional, rural support methods, toolkit, program management and role in value chain support. The module series focuses on community mobilization, farmer organizational and agricultural entrepreneurship development, gender, as well as risk mitigation and adaptation issues in Extension and Advisory services.

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.

20 Jan
Uncategorized

Visit to Schools in the Syunik Province for Professional Orientation

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, on January 15, a professional orientation visit was organized to Sisian Primary Schools No. 4 and No. 5.

This visit was a collaborative effort with the MAVETA project partner, the ANAU Sisian Branch. During the meeting, Lilit Hovhannisyan, Project Manager, and Lilit Beglaryan, VET Consultant, presented the MAVETA project, highlighting the professions available through dual education, college-employer cooperation, and the potential for becoming a well-paid specialist.

Gohar Ghukasyan, the career guidance officer at the Sisian branch of ANAU, also discussed the various opportunities the college offers, along with the advantages of different professions.

Over 80 pupils attended the meeting, actively engaging by asking questions about the admission process and the duration of courses for the professions presented.

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).

17 Jan
Uncategorized

Meeting Between MAVETA Partner College and Employers

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, Goris State Agricultural College, a project partner, organized a meeting on January 15, featuring instructors, private sector partners, and apprentices.

Lilit Hovhannisyan, the MAVETA project manager, and Lilit Beglaryan, a VET consultant, were present at the meeting to discuss the requirements for implementing dual education.

Anna Torozyan, the acting director of the college, shared insights on the achievements, challenges, and prospects of the collaboration between the college and employers.

Following her presentation, private sector partners provided their observations regarding the apprentices’ practical work and addressed other organizational issues.

Apprentices engaged in dual education also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the importance of effectively managing the relationships among the college, and employers, as well as addressing current issues, rights, and responsibilities.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the college and several new employers.

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).

16 Jan
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

Assistance to the MAVETA Project Partner Sisian Branch of ANAU

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the Strategic Development Agency NGO provided eight high-bred cows to the Sisian branch of the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU) on January 14. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of partner educational institutions and promote innovation in agricultural education.

The official handover ceremony was attended by notable guests, including Sisian Mayor Hovsep Arakelyan, ANAU Acting Rector Hrachya Zakoyan, MAVETA project private sector partners, lecturers, and students.

Welcoming attendees at the agricultural center adjacent to the Sisian branch of ANUA, Branch Director Gagik Khachatryan highlighted the importance of dual education in vocational training, made possible through the MAVETA project. He emphasized that the addition of pedigree cows marks another milestone in advancing hands-on training for students and strengthenings innovative agricultural practices.

In her speech, MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan highlighted the project’s commitment to modernizing agricultural professions, strengthening ties between colleges and employers, training specialists aligned with labor market demands, and introducing leading international practices to Armenian VET institutions.

ANAU Acting Rector Hrachya Zakoyan expressed gratitude for MAVETA’s continued support in enhancing the capacities of ANAU’s vocational education institutions in both Yerevan and Sisian. On behalf of the university, he presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Strategic Development Agency NGO, recognizing its valuable contribution.

During the event, students from the “Milk and Dairy Technology” department of the Sisian Branch of ANAU conducted on-site laboratory tests to analyze the physicochemical properties of milk produced at the livestock farm. Their results confirmed that the milk meets required standards.

Guests also had the opportunity to sample cheese produced in the branch’s laboratory, showcasing the practical outcomes of the project’s efforts to integrate education with real-world agricultural applications.

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).

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