10 Mar
NEWSENG

Visit to MAVETA Partner Colleges

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) visited partner VET institutions, including the Echmiadzin State Craftsman School and the Agricultural College named after A. Kochinyan of the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), on March 5 and March 7.

The delegation comprised Irina Peyer, Desk Officer for the South Caucasus at SDC, Ursula Läubli, Deputy Director of the South Caucasus Office and Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia, Artur Pokrikyan, Senior National Program Manager, and Monique Frey, Senior VET Advisor at HEKS/EPER, and Lilit Hovhannisyan, MAVETA Project Manager.

During their visit, SDC representatives toured the colleges, familiarized themselves with the institutions’ capabilities, areas of study, and technical equipment. They engaged in discussions with college managing staff on a range of topics, including the organization of the educational process in Orchardist and veterinary professions introduced through dual education within the MAVETA projct, regulations pertaining to the VET law, college-employer cooperation, and labor market demands.

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).

08 Mar
Uncategorized

IADAAM Selection of Value Chains in Ararat & Armavir

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) Project’s value chain international expert Dario Caccamisi, along with national experts Tigran Hakhnazaryan and Lilit Petrosyan, have completed market survey, identified key focus areas for value chain selection and presented the list of value chains for Ararat and Armavir marzes (see the infographics). While conducting their survey, they held a number of meetings with IADAAM AEST coordinators, experts and local farmers in Ararat and Armavir marzes.

IADAAM Project highlights:

✔️ High-Growth Sectors – Identifying crops with strong market demand.

✔️ Export Diversification  – Reducing dependency on single markets.

✔️ Value-Added Processing – Boosting efficiency & product quality.

✔️ Sustainable Practices – Enhancing climate resilience & productivity.

By selecting the most viable and profitable value chains, IADAAM is paving the way for economic growth and a more competitive agricultural sector in Ararat & Armavir. IADAAM aims to create long-term, sustainable development pathways, ensuring resilience and prosperity for farmers and agribusinesses in the marzes.

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 the 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.

 

07 Mar
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Professional Orientation Visit to Lernanist, Kotayk Region

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a professional orientation visit was held on February 18 at Spartak Nazaryan Secondary School in Lernanist, Kotayk region.

Organized in collaboration with the ANAU College named after A. Kochniyan, the visit introduced pupils to educational and career opportunities in horticulture. MAVETA project’s VET consultant Lilit Beglaryan, ANAU horticulture lecturer Eteri Stepanyan, and ANAU Kochinyan College career guidance officer Lilit Saroyan presented the project, emphasizing dual education, school-employer collaboration, and the increasing demand for specialists in almond, pistachio, and nut cultivation.

Around 30 pupils attended, showing interest in admission procedures and training duration.

The Horticulture specialty is available through dual training at A. Kochinyan College of the ANAU and Echmiadzin State Vocational College.

 

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).

06 Mar
Uncategorized

LILA Project at ITB Berlin 2025 International Tourism Exhibition

The ITB Berlin 2025 international tourism exhibition is taking place in Berlin from March 4–6, where the RA Tourism Committee is representing Armenia with a large unified pavilion.

With the support of the Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project, partner tour operators Nueva Vista and Rubentours are also participating in ITB Berlin 2025.

Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been a leading global platform for the travel and tourism industry. This year, it is held under the slogan “The World of Travel Lives Here” and showcases various market segments, including adventure tourism, business travel, medical tourism, and travel technologies.

LILA project partners, along with project coordinator Alla Ghazaryan, are presenting Armenia’s adventure tourism potential and nature-based experiences to visitors, industry professionals, and potential partners. Through various meetings and networking opportunities, they highlight the sustainable and inclusive tourism initiatives developed within the framework of the LILA project.

Participation in ITB Berlin 2025 aims to promote Armenia’s tourism potential on an international stage, attract more visitors, and contribute to sustainable community development.

 

LILA project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by the WWF Armenian Office (WWF-Armenia) in partnership with the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO.

27 Feb
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a two-day event titled “MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture» took place in Dilijan on February 25-26. The event brought together students and lecturers from Stepanavan Agricultural and Berd Multifunctional State Colleges, and pupils, alongside private sector representatives.

The event aimed to increase interest among school students from Lori and Tavush marzes in agricultural professions, showcasing the sector’s advantages and the growing demand for skilled specialists.

Lilit Beglaryan, VET Consultant for the MAVETA project, introduced the dual education and professions launched within the project and highlighted key achievements.

In her opening speech, Monique Freyer, Senior VET Advisor at HEKS/EPER, addressed the sector’s challenges, shared best practices from Switzerland, and discussed efforts to adapt and implement them in Armenia.

During the MAVETAtalks presentations, VET and private sector representatives shared their experiences, successes, and motivational insights.

The second part of the event featured a panel discussion titled ”Gender Equality in VET: Overcoming Barriers and Creating Opportunities in Agriculture.” Mariam Melikyan, Gender Equality Specialist at the Strategic Development Agency NGO, presented data on gender equality and social inclusion in Armenia, comparing it with international trends.

Participants then explored gender stereotypes in agricultural professions and discussed the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in the sector.

To conclude, schoolchildren engaged in a role-playing activity, expressing their thoughts and ideas about careers in agriculture, making the event both educational and interactive․

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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