18 Nov
Uncategorized

SDA Participated in Consultative Workshops on the Establishment of the “Jermuk” and “Tatev” National Parks, Showcasing Successful Practices from the LILA Project

On November 12 in Vayots Dzor and November 14 in Syunik, two high-level consultative workshops were held within the “Biodiversity and Protected Areas” component of the Biodiversity and Sustainable Local Development in Armenia program. The discussions focused on the establishment processes of the “Jermuk” and “Tatev” National Parks.

The workshops addressed key issues related to defining the boundaries of the parks, outlining future management models, and exploring opportunities for economic and tourism collaboration with local communities.

The Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO presented the successful experience developed under the economic component of the LILA project, specifically in advancing the value chain in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The outcomes of the LILA project demonstrate that fostering responsible tourism, mobilizing community potential, and applying integrated approaches to environmental conservation can simultaneously ensure effective management of protected areas and promote sustainable local economic growth.

We are confident that the best practices shared and the discussions held during these workshops will support the creation of sustainable and efficient management systems for the new national parks, strengthen community engagement, and stimulate joint development initiatives.

SDA NGO remains committed to supporting efforts that contribute to local economic development, environmental protection, and the promotion of responsible tourism.

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.

12 Nov
NEWSENG

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
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, 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
Uncategorized

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.

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