08 Sep
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Community in Focus: IADAAM Components Presented through Structured Dialogue

On September 5-6, the settlements of Baghramyan and Norakert became centers of meaningful dialogue and strategic engagement under the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) project. These community consultations marked a significant step toward ensuring that the voices of local beneficiaries are not only heard – but actively shape – the future of irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Designed as open, two-way forums, the meetings provided residents a clear and comprehensive introduction to the program’s key components, while inviting them to explore how they could participate – either individually or through integrated involvement.

The following components were introduced and discussed:

  • Agricultural Extension Services – field-tested, locally tailored advisory support to empower farmers with knowledge and best practices.
  • Land Consolidation – strategic support for optimizing land use and improving agricultural efficiency.
  • Establishment of Agricultural Cooperatives –  collaborative models that foster shared ownership, market access, and collective growth.
  • Grant Support – competitive funding windows to support bold, community-driven ideas and strengthen rural resilience through innovation.

Each session was led by the project’s experts, who not only outlined the vision and mechanics behind each component but also facilitated conversations around eligibility, benefits, and implementation modalities.

Residents seized the opportunity to raise context-specific questions, share on-the-ground realities, and offer practical suggestions – helping to ensure that the project’s interventions remain both relevant and responsive.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the residents of Baghramyan and Norakert for their active participation, trust, and willingness to collaborate. Your engagement lays the groundwork for a more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable transformation of Armenia’s agricultural sector.

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 IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

03 Sep
NEWSENG

LILA Responsible Tourism Starts with Knowledge and Thrives Through Empowered Communities

From August 19 to 29, a series of targeted eco-tourism development trainings was held across communities in Lori and Vayots Dzor, marking a significant step toward advancing sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship at the local level.

The initiative was jointly implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Armenia (WWF-Armenia), within the framework of the LILA project, with the aim of unlocking and enhancing the ecotourism potential of Community-Managed Conservation Areas (CMCAs) and fostering active community engagement in the protection of natural resources through responsible tourism development.

Led by expert trainers from the Armenian Institute of Tourism, the training program combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on exercises, equipping participants with practical tools to develop and manage eco- and adventure tourism services in line with sustainability principles.

As a result of the training, CMCA stewards:

🔹 Analyzed the tourism potential of their local areas

🔹 Explored modern trends in adventure tourism

🔹 Studied tools and mechanisms for managing visitor flows in conservation areas

🔹 And most importantly, engaged in in-depth discussions on:

✔️ How to develop adventure tourism without harming the environment

✔️ The core Dos and Don’ts of nature-friendly tourism for visitors, guides, and organizers

The sessions also included hands-on exercises focused on:

➡ Key elements of organizing adventure tourism

➡ Ensuring safety standards and protocols

➡ Building decision-making and emergency response skills in real-life scenarios

This initiative:

  •  Injects new energy into local development
  • Supports biodiversity and ecosystem conservation
  • Opens pathways for inclusive, green economic growth in rural communities

Responsible tourism is more than an industry – it’s a mindset. And it begins with informed, empowered, and engaged communities.

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.

02 Sep
Uncategorized

IADAAM AEST: Supporting Farmers, Strengthening Communities

Agricultural Extension Service Vedi team continues its proactive visits to target communities, carefully assessing existing challenges and identifying the most effective solutions.

Our goal is not only to serve as extensionists – we strive to be a trusted partner. Every visit represents an opportunity to work together toward building a sustainable, resilient, and thriving agricultural sector.

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 IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

02 Sep
Uncategorized

LILA Training Course for Emerging Regional Guides: Breathing New Life into Armenia’s Untapped Trails, Landscapes, and Communities

The “Training Course for Emerging Regional Guides”, launched under the LILA Project, continues its vital mission of unlocking the tourism potential of Lori, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor regions.

Last week, participants – residents of these very regions – took part in immersive, two-day practical field exercises that blended professional training with real-world adventure and discovery.

Throughout the sessions, participants:

  • Explored the unique ecological and cultural assets of their home regions;
  • Acquired practical guiding and interpretation skills to effectively lead and inform visitors;
  • Engaged with local communities to better understand and communicate traditional knowledge, history, and local narratives.

These hands-on exercises were designed not only to enhance professional competencies, but also to promote adventure and ecotourism as engines of sustainable development and to deepen community involvement in the tourism value chain.

The training is implemented by the Armenian Tourism Federation and the Armenian Guides Guild, adhering to internationally recognized standards and certification frameworks.

By building a strong foundation of local expertise and inclusive tourism practices, we are collectively shaping a sustainable, knowledge-based, and community-led future for tourism in 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.

28 Aug
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

MAVETA Beekeeping Training for Displaced People from Nagorno-Karabakh and Local Vulnerable Groups

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a short-term training course titled “Basics of Beekeeping: Production and Marketing of Honey Products” was held in the Syunik region on August 25–26. The training targeted displaced people from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as local vulnerable groups.

The training was conducted by Tigran Sedrakyan, a representative of the “Beekeeping Forge Scientific and Educational Center”.

During the discussion, participants had the opportunity to learn the basics of beekeeping, key requirements for effective honey production, and mechanisms for marketing bee products. The training also covered sales strategies and legal regulations within the sector.

Throughout the sessions, participants acquired practical knowledge and approaches for initiating and expanding beekeeping activities in their communities.

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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