Within the framework of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project,, on January 13, the project manager Vahe Hovhannisyan met with the Governor of the Syunik region, Robert Ghukasyan. The meeting was attended by Lusine Sarukhanyan, the coordinator of the UN World Food Programme in Kapan, and employees of the regional administration.

During the meeting, Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the objective, main direction, as well as other details of the implemented project, which aims to improve and expand the capacities of the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and local vulnerable population to ensure the transition from a purely humanitarian approach to long-term development.

The governor thanked the Strategic Development Agency for its many years of work in the region and confirmed his willingness to continue the cooperation. This was followed by a discussion between the parties on reaching an agreement and taking further steps.

The SEIRA project, targeting the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions, aims to improve the livelihoods and resilience of refugees and local vulnerable populations in Armenia.

 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 Program.

In the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO, in collaboration with the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports organized a Stakeholder Dialogue Platform meeting on December 19–20 in Dilijan.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Araksia Svajyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary (Craftsman) and Vocational Education Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of Economic Development Programs at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Artur Pokrikyan, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan, as well as implementers of vocational education and training (VET) programs and the project’s private partners.

In his opening remarks, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan highlighted the importance of regular stakeholder meetings to address challenges in the VET sector through dialogue, boost collaboration, and coordinate efforts for platform expansion.

Deputy Minister Araksia Svajyan presented the national strategy and ongoing reforms in the VET sector. She emphasized the significance of improving legislation, modernizing institutional structures, enhancing the appeal of vocational professions, implementing quality management in VET institutions, and encouraging youth participation in the sector. She also underscored the successful introduction of agricultural professions through dual education under the MAVETA project.

Artur Pokrikyan, Senior National Program Officer for Inclusive Economic Development at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, stressed the importance of leveraging international expertise in modernizing Armenia’s VET sector. He called for coordinated efforts among state institutions and local and international organizations to achieve these goals.

Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary and Vocational Education, provided an overview of the VET sector’s current state, including updates on new laws and regulations, the challenges encountered during reforms, and state strategies aimed at aligning VET education with labor market demands.

MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan shared insights into the dual education model, successful collaborations between educational institutions and employers, and the project’s achievements to date.

The second half of the day was dedicated to the discussion of the further coordination, management and possible expansion of the Stakeholder Dialogue Platform.

During the second day, the representatives of the associations and unions presented the role and importance of the private sector in dual VET.

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).