16 Dec
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).

13 Dec
Uncategorized

Workshop on Agricultural Value Chains existing in Ararat and Armavir Regions

A workshop on “Agricultural Value Chains in Ararat and Armavir Regions” was organized on December 12, 2024 within the framework of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) project.

The workshop aimed to present and discuss with stakeholders the analysis of the existing value chains in Ararat and Armavir regions conducted within the framework of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) project, and to identify current potential for value addition and innovation at the demand and the offer levels through the focus group discussion.

“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 a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group, 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.

09 Dec
Uncategorized

Workshop for DUAL – Responsible Teachers of Colleges

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a two-day workshop on “Structure processes and implement procedures in dual vocational education and training” was held in Yerevan on December 5-6.

The workshop was attended by DUAL-responsible teachers from MAVETA partner colleges. It was conducted by HAFL expert Johannes Brunner.

The two-day workshop aimed to transfer fundamental skills to the instructors coordinating the students’ practical work in the company, including selecting appropriate companies, organizing legal and contractual relationships, performing assignments in the workplace, and providing targeted support for the learning process.

The course provided the opportunity for college DUAL- responsible teachers to develop their skills in conflict resolution and guiding students through the DUAL education process, as well as in effectively assessing the skills and employability acquired by students.

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 Dec
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

Certificate Awarding Ceremony within the RECONOMY

On December 4, the Armenian Tourism Federation held a certificate awarding ceremony for participants of the short-term training course on the Amadeus Reservation System. The event took place at Sedrak Mamulyan’s culinary studio.

The course was supported by the RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project, which provided both methodological and technical assistance.

The first graduates of the program were congratulated and encouraged by Mher Sahakyan, project manager of the “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness”, and Mekhak Apresyan, president of the Armenian Tourism Federation.

Following the ceremony, participants engaged in a discussion on the significance of national cuisine in the tourism sector with Sedrak Mamulyan, president of the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO. The event concluded with an opportunity to savor traditional Armenian dishes.

It is worth noting that specialists trained in the Amadeus Reservation System will be well-positioned for employment in tourism-related organizations requiring expertise in reservation systems.

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.

03 Dec
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Study Visit to “Vanand Agro” CJSC for Schoolchildren

As part of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, the Strategic Development Agency organized a study visit to the almond orchards of “Vanand Agro” CJSC on November 28. The visit was arranged for students from Rafael Patkanyan Primary School No. 9 in Vagharshapat, Armavir region.
In her speech, Lilit Beglaryan, VET consultant for the ՄԱՎԵՏԱ ծրագիր / MAVETA project, emphasized that the visit aimed to introduce students to the profession of gardening in fruit and nut orchards. This profession is one of the key specialties promoted by the MAVETA project through its dual education approach.
Hayk Stepanyan, farm manager of “Vanand Agro” CJSC, provided an overview of the gardener’s role, demonstrated the equipment and agricultural machinery used in the field, and answered students’ questions.
During the visit, the students toured the almond orchards, explored seedlings of various ages, and learned about the fundamentals of horticulture. They were especially captivated by the demonstration of modern equipment used for crushing and sorting almonds, which added a practical dimension to their learning experience.
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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