27 May
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Agriculture for All: MAVETA’s Job Fair in Yerevan

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, in collaboration with the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), organized a job fair in Yerevan on May 27.

The event was attended by key officials and project partners, including Araksia Svajyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Edgar Hakobyan, Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Innovation at the RA Ministry of Economy, Lilit Hovhannisyan, MAVETA Project Manager, and Vardan Vardanyan, Director of the Yerevan College of ANAU.

In her address, Deputy Minister Svajyan highlighted the growing interest in agricultural professions and emphasized the importance of aligning educational initiatives with the evolving needs of the sector. She praised the MAVETA project’s implementation of a work-based learning model, noting its critical role in enhancing students’ practical training. She also stressed that strong collaboration with employers is key to the success of vocational education.

Lilit Hovhannisyan, MAVETA Project Manager, underlined the project’s commitment to social inclusion, with a focus on ensuring equal opportunities for women and vulnerable groups to participate in the labor market. She also emphasized the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Over 20 employers from the agriculture and agribusiness sectors in the Yerevan and Armavir regions participated in the fair, each represented by individual pavilions offering job opportunities and information.

The Yerevan College of ANAU—one of the MAVETA project’s key partners—along with the Armenian National Agrarian University and the Etchmiadzin Craftsman State School, showcased a list of in-demand agricultural professions and presented the benefits of dual education and practical training.

In addition, a seminar titled “Future Jobs: Classification of Soft and Professional Skills” was held for young people and students. The session offered valuable insights into the skills needed to succeed in today’s job market and prepare for the demands of tomorrow’s workforce.

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).

26 May
Uncategorized

IADAAM Team Visits “Aragatsotn” Water Users Association

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen irrigation systems and support sustainable agriculture, the IADAAM Project team—Team Lead Stefan Rosnow, Financial Expert Samvel Bareyan, and Fund Expert Donald Aquilina—visited the “Aragatsotn” Water Users Association (WUA).

The team held discussions with the WUA regarding the irrigation network previously constructed in the Baghramyan and Norakert areas. The purpose of the visit was to:

🔹 Assess the current status of the irrigation infrastructure;

🔹 Identify challenges farmers face in using the system;

🔹 Understand the obstacles the WUA encounters in managing and operating the network;

🔹 Review the WUA’s plans to make the network fully operational;

🔹 Explore potential areas of support from the IADAAM Project to help revitalize and optimize the irrigation services։

This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring reliable water access for farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity in the region. IADAAM team remains committed to working with local partners to unlock sustainable and impactful solutions.

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 Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy (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.

26 May
NEWSENG

RECONOMY Fab Lab Gyumri’s Development Business Strategy Presented

On May 23, a presentation of the business strategy for Fab Lab Gyumri was held at the Gyumri branch of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia—one of the key beneficiaries of RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project.

Tatev Hovhannisyan, Business Consultant, outlined the strategic vision for transforming Fab Lab Gyumri into a modern digital manufacturing hub, with a special emphasis on advancing the light industry sector. The strategy underscores the integration of innovative technologies with entrepreneurial thinking, and the importance of fostering collaboration among educational institutions, the business community, and local stakeholders. Notably, Fab Lab Gyumri is Armenia’s first initiative to operate an educational laboratory as a business venture.

This pioneering model provides students and emerging creatives with hands-on experience, enabling them to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting—bridging the gap between art, design, and advanced digital technologies.

The event was attended by Mher Sahakyan, Project Manager of RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project, Vahagn Ghukasyan, Head of the Gyumri Branch of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, Jacqueline Karaaslanian, CEO of the Fab Lab Armenia Educational Foundation as well as faculty members and students of the academy.

The meeting also included discussions on upcoming activities planned within the project framework, aimed at further strengthening digital innovation and sectoral competitiveness in the region.

RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by Helvetas in partnership with the Strategic Development Agency NGO and others in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.

26 May
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

Media Tour Showcases Achievements of LILA Project in Northern Armenia

Within the framework of the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project, WWF-Armenia, in collaboration with the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO, organized a two-day media tour on May 21–22 in the Tavush and Lori regions.

The tour offered participants a firsthand look at the beneficiaries of both components of the LILA project, providing insight into its key interventions and accomplishments.

Alla Ghazaryan, LILA Project Coordinator, presented the project aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism, improving local infrastructure and living conditions, and strengthening the skills and capacities of professionals in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

As part of the visit, media representatives toured several LILA-supported businesses in northern Armenia, including the guesthouses Berkry, Chamich, Arevi Gosh, Wow Glamping, and the Loreni teahouse.

Naire Yeritsyan, LILA Project Coordinator, highlighted the project’s efforts to promote the sustainable use of natural resources, contribute to climate change mitigation, and build the climate resilience of local communities.

The media tour concluded on May 22 with participants attending the official release ceremony of red deer in Yeghegnut, organized by WWF-Armenia.

The tour was initiated and organized by Ecolur Information NGO.

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.

20 May
Uncategorized

IADAAM Focus Group Discussion to Identify the Needs of Farmers in Armavir Marz

Within the framework of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) program, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held in Norakert and Baghramyan communities of Armavir marz to assess the needs and experiences of local farmers. The target groups included farmers who cultivate:

  1. a) up to 1 hectare of land, and
  2. b) at least 1 hectare or more.

The discussions were organized with the support of IADAAM Agricultural Extension Service (AEST) Armavir team. The focus group survey and assessment were carried out by IADAAM AEST consultant Aram Zakaryan, selected from the IADAAM AEST teams.

The primary objective of these focus group discussions was to identify the needs and experiences of beneficiary farmers in order to enhance IADAAM project’s interventions and to propose tailored solutions based on the farmers’ expressed priorities. Additionally, they served to evaluate the current state of advisory services, uncover existing challenges, and inform the development of future support mechanisms. FGDs were conducted using a specially developed guideline, adapted to address key sectoral challenges and enabling in-depth analysis and the formulation of evidence-based recommendations.

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (IADAAM) project, financed through the European Union (EU) with implementation by the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) 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.

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