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
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

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.

31 Oct
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Shaping Change Together: IADAAM AEST Field Visits in Ararat Marz

As part of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) project, the Agricultural Extension Service Teams (AEST) of Vedi and Artashat met with residents and the administrative head of Aygavan community.

During the meeting, agricultural extensionists delivered a comprehensive presentation on all components of the project, highlighting the importance of agricultural extension services, knowledge transfer, and farmer capacity building.

The teams also introduced the concept and objectives of demonstration farms, explained the application process, and distributed application forms to the residents. Advisors provided on-site assistance in completing the forms and guided participants through the next steps.

Following the meeting, ten field visits were conducted. In Noyakert community, the teams met with several potential candidates who had applied to establish demonstration farms, assessed their farms on-site, and discussed possible directions for collaboration.

The advisors also met with the administrative head of Ararat community to present the project’s ongoing activities and explore opportunities for joint work and coordination.

Such meetings foster the active engagement of farmers and communities, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and innovative agriculture in Ararat Marz.

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 (AFD), 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.

28 Oct
NEWSENG

LILA Fam Tour: Revitalizing Community Tourism in Lori and Vayots

On October 17 in Lori and October 23-24 in Vayots Dzor, within the framework of the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) program, a series of familiarization tours were organized with the participation of partner tour operators and representatives of the Tourism Committee.

The visits aimed to provide participants with firsthand insight into the tourism experiences developed through the LILA program, explore local businesses and their offerings, and assess the potential of community-based tourism. This initiative created an important platform to assess the potential of community-based tourism, paving the way for the design of more integrated, sustainable, and competitive tourism packages, as well as for mutually beneficial partnerships.

In Lori, participants visited the communities of Margahovit, Dsegh, and Debet, exploring the operations of Blackwood Resort, Aura Village, WOW Glamping, Loreni Tea House, and Chamic Guesthouse. These visits showcased community tourism models that harmoniously blend the region’s natural beauty with the dedication and creativity of local entrepreneurs.

In Vayots Dzor, the familiarization tour highlighted ecotourism and gastrotourism experiences, including the Ranger Tour within the Arpa Protected Landscape, honey tasting at Bee Home, visits to Poonj canned food factory and Kria winery, Magellan Cave and an innovative VR experience in the Areni-1 Cave.

These familiarization tours represent another key step toward advancing LILA’s objectives – promoting nature-based and community-driven tourism, enhancing collaboration among local enterprises, and contributing to the sustainable development of rural communities across 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.

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