At the “Women and Climate Change” Awards Ceremony, held today as part of COP17 Armenia, Arus Nersisyan, Head of Arpa Protected Landscape, was named the winner in the “Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation” category.

Arus’s achievement is a meaningful recognition of women’s leadership, environmental commitment, and their power to drive lasting change.

Arus’s candidacy was nominated by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO within the framework of the Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) Project.

Through LILA, we supported initiatives promoting nature conservation, community development, and sustainable tourism, contributing to the protection of Armenia’s biodiversity and the expansion of opportunities for local communities.

Although the LILA Project has come to an end, its values and impact live on. We continue to support initiatives that contribute to nature conservation, community empowerment, and, in particular, the advancement of women’s leadership and participation.

Women’s empowerment is about more than creating opportunities. It means recognising women’s leadership, valuing their impact, and believing in their potential to drive meaningful change.

Congratulations to Arus Nersisyan on this well-deserved recognition! Her example is a powerful reminder that women’s leadership in nature conservation can be a driving force for meaningful, long-term change.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Women in Climate and Energy – WiCE NGO for this important initiative, which recognises women’s contributions to addressing climate change and protecting nature, while bringing their achievements into the spotlight.

The LILA Project was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented jointly by the WWF Armenia and the Strategic Development Agency NGO (SDA) NGO.

New opportunities for the development of Armenia’s cattle sector are emerging as farmers gain access to international expertise and high-quality breeding animals. Among those taking advantage of these opportunities is Khachik Hovsepyan, an IT specialist who is also applying his knowledge and entrepreneurial approach to livestock farming.

Of the 64 Fleckvieh cattle recently imported to Armenia, 32 were acquired by Khachik. As a dual-purpose dairy and beef breed, Fleckvieh can contribute to improving the genetic potential of local herds, enhancing productivity, and strengthening the foundations for more efficient cattle breeding.

The initiative is a practical outcome of Armenian-Austrian cooperation. The collaboration was initiated through a study visit to Austria, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO, and Cattle Breeders Austria. The acquisition of the animals was also supported through the Government of Armenia’s 2025-2029 Cattle Breeding Development Programme, providing farmers with access to relevant state support mechanisms.

Why does this matter for Armenia’s cattle sector?
The introduction of Fleckvieh cattle creates opportunities to strengthen the genetic potential of herds, improve productivity, and promote modern breeding practices. At the same time, the engagement of professionals such as Khachik Hovsepyan demonstrates that agriculture can offer meaningful opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and professional development beyond traditional farming pathways.

Through collaboration with public and international partners, the INLIMA Programme contributes to the modernization of Armenia’s livestock sector and to creating new opportunities for farmers and livestock businesses. This initiative illustrates how international knowledge exchange, public support mechanisms, and targeted programme assistance can come together to strengthen farm-level development and contribute to the long-term advancement of cattle breeding in Armenia.

“Innovative Livestock Management: Animal Migration, Breeding & Markets” (INLIMA) project is implemented by Strategic Development Agency NGO and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation.