23 Dec
Uncategorized

Stakeholder Dialogue Platform Meeting Held in Dilijan

In the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO, in collaboration with the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports organized a Stakeholder Dialogue Platform meeting on December 19–20 in Dilijan.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Araksia Svajyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary (Craftsman) and Vocational Education Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of Economic Development Programs at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Artur Pokrikyan, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan, as well as implementers of vocational education and training (VET) programs and the project’s private partners.

In his opening remarks, SDA Chairman Mkrtich Ayvazyan highlighted the importance of regular stakeholder meetings to address challenges in the VET sector through dialogue, boost collaboration, and coordinate efforts for platform expansion.

Deputy Minister Araksia Svajyan presented the national strategy and ongoing reforms in the VET sector. She emphasized the significance of improving legislation, modernizing institutional structures, enhancing the appeal of vocational professions, implementing quality management in VET institutions, and encouraging youth participation in the sector. She also underscored the successful introduction of agricultural professions through dual education under the MAVETA project.

Artur Pokrikyan, Senior National Program Officer for Inclusive Economic Development at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, stressed the importance of leveraging international expertise in modernizing Armenia’s VET sector. He called for coordinated efforts among state institutions and local and international organizations to achieve these goals.

Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary and Vocational Education, provided an overview of the VET sector’s current state, including updates on new laws and regulations, the challenges encountered during reforms, and state strategies aimed at aligning VET education with labor market demands.

MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan shared insights into the dual education model, successful collaborations between educational institutions and employers, and the project’s achievements to date.

The second half of the day was dedicated to the discussion of the further coordination, management and possible expansion of the Stakeholder Dialogue Platform.

During the second day, the representatives of the associations and unions presented the role and importance of the private sector in dual VET.

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).

19 Dec
NEWSENG

A discussion with representatives of local self-government bodies focused on the development of irrigated agriculture.

On December 18, within the framework of “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (IADAAM) project, a meeting-discussion with the representatives of local self-government bodies of Ararat and Armavir Marzes was organized.

The event aimed to introduce the representatives of local self-government bodies to the project and the planned interventions to be carried out under its framework.

Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the French Development Agency (FDA), this comprehensive project aims to transform irrigated agriculture in Armenia by introducing innovative and sustainable mechanisms to operationalize four Project Funds, promotes High-Value agriculture, establishment of marketing and processing cooperatives, and a land consolidation process.

Within the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by consortium led by Agriconsulting Europe S.A and formed with participation of Avenue Consulting Group, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC, which acts as a project operator, aiming to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas.

The event started with a welcoming speech by Lise Enezian, Project Officer for Armenia at French Development Agency, who highlighted the importance of the event in terms of establishing dialogue and strengthening cooperation with representatives of regional self-government bodies.

Ms. Enezian was followed with the welcoming speech by Stefan Rosenow, Team Leader of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) Project, who briefly presented the main directions and objectives of the project. He also emphasized the importance of access to agricultural advice for the development of the sector, increasing productivity, and introducing innovative approaches in communities.

The event provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges of the agricultural sector in the project targeted regions, the availability of agricultural support services and their importance in the context of the economic development of the regions.

19 Dec
Uncategorized

SEIRA Meetings in target communities of “The Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” project

During a regional visit, within the framework of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project on December 11-12, Vahe Hovhannisyan the project manager, visited families displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh who have settled in a number of communities in the Gegharkunik region.
Vahe Hovhannisyan discussed a wide range of issues related to existing problems, the support provided, as well as capacity building and expected results with refugees and local vulnerable residents settled in the region.
The SEIRA project aims to increase the livelihoods and resilience of refugees and local vulnerable populations in Armenia, targeting the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions.
The “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project fosters socio-economic integration by improving food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, and empowering both refugees and host communities in Armenia, promoting resilience and economic growth through agricultural and business development.

The 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.

18 Dec
Uncategorized

Vahe Hovhannisyan’s working visit to Gegharkunik region

Within the framework of the “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia”  (SEIRA) project, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Project Manager and representatives of the UN World Food Program met with Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan, Deputy Governor Vahan Zaroyan, and First Deputy Head of Gavar Community, Grigor Dashtoyan on December 11.

During the meetings, Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the objectives and the main direction of the project, which aims to improve the capacities of the refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and local vulnerable population to ensure the transition from a purely humanitarian approach to long-term development.

Considering that the enlarged communities of Gavar, Vardenis, and Chambarak of Gegharkunik region are included in the project, the necessity for collecting and verifying initial and baseline data was emphasized in terms of effectively meeting the needs of target groups.

The Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan expressed the readiness of the regional administration to support the implementation of the project and emphasized the urgency of initiatives aimed at ensuring food and agricultural security in order to improve the livelihoods of the region’s population. The governor highly valued the long-term partnership and positive impact of the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and the UN World Food Program in the region.

An agreement was reached between the parties on cooperation and further steps within the framework of the project.

The “Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project fosters socio-economic integration by improving food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, and empowering both refugees and host communities in Armenia, promoting resilience and economic growth through agricultural and business development.

The 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.

 

 

 

16 Dec
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

RECONOMY and LILA Joint Annual Partners Meeting

The Strategic Development Agency NGO held a joint annual partners meeting within the framework of the “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” (RECONOMY) and “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) projects on December 13 in Yerevan.

Themed “Empowering Economic Growth through Sustainable Tourism Practices and Digital Solutions,” the event aimed to promote innovative approaches to sustainable tourism development and digital transformation. It brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, foreign embassies, industry experts, and international partners from Moldova, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (participating online).

In his opening remarks, Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Chairman of the Strategic Development Agency NGO, emphasized the role of both projects in promoting sustainable development and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in remote communities.

“I am confident that by bringing together key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality, agriculture and light industry, and advanced technologies sectors, this platform will create new opportunities for cooperation,” said Ayvazyan.

The event was also welcomed by Gevorg Mantashyan, First Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia; Arman Khojoyan, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairwoman of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia; Klas Waldenström, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Armenia; and Elene Tkhlashidze, Head of Operations at RECONOMY. They highlighted the Strategic Development Agency NGO’s role and the longstanding cooperation with their respective institutions.

The panel discussions were held on the topics of Regional Advocacy Initiatives: Sharing Insights in EaP’s Digital Economy and Driving Change: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental   Responsibility Through Sustainable Tourism Practices. These sessions were attended by representatives from relevant ministries, project beneficiaries, and international experts.

Mher Sahakyan presented the progress and achievements of the “Digitizing sectors for competitiveness” project, and Alla Ghazaryan outlined the results already achieved under the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” project.

Following these presentations, partners and beneficiaries participated in sector-specific workshops, discussing targeted challenges and planning future collaboration opportunities for 2025.

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

The Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia LILA is a conservation and sustainable tourism development project, which is implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature Armenian office (WWF Armenia) and the Strategic Development Agency NGO (SDA). The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

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