The Armenian Tourism Federation’s 2024-2029 Strategy Approved

RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” project manager, Mher Sahakyan, attended the Armenian Tourism Federation’s general meeting held on October 18-19 in Jermuk.

During the meeting, Mekhak Apresyan, President of the Armenian Tourism Federation, presented the Federation’s 2024-2029 strategy, detailing its vision, mission, goals, and the key actions required for their achievement.

The RA Minister of Economy, the Governor of Vayots Dzor Marz, Jermuk’s community leadership and business community, and representatives of the USAID, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO participated in the strategy discussions.

Members and partners of the Armenian Tourism Federation approved the strategy, which aims to strengthen sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism in Armenia while preserving, developing, and promoting Armenia’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Mekhak Apresyan emphasized the Federation’s continued commitment to being a collaborative platform for stakeholders dedicated to these goals.

Mehak Apresyan thanked international partners for their support in developing the strategy and acknowledged the RECONOMY program, implemented by the Strategic Development Agency, for its effective collaboration in advocacy initiatives.

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.

LILA Project Partners Participate in ITB Asia 2024

On October 23-25, the ITB Asia 2024 international tourism exhibition took place in Singapore, where the RA Tourism Committee presented Armenia with a joined pavilion.

Project partners AM TRAVEL and Nueva Vista DMC and Tour Operator, supported by the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project, also participated in ITB Asia 2024.

With more than 85 tourism organizations and convention bureaus from around the world, ITB Asia 2024 marked the largest and most diverse edition to date.

The LILA project partner tour operators showcased Armenia’s unique tourism appeal, highlighting nature-based experiences and the sustainable, inclusive tourism initiatives developed within the LILA project.

At the exhibition, Armenian representatives engaged with visitors, experts, and potential partners, aiming to showcase the country’s tourism potential on the global stage, attract more tourists to Armenia, and promote sustainable 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.

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A Workshop for NCVETD Staff and College Teachers

A workshop was held as part of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project for the employees of the National Center for the Development of Vocational Education and Training (NCVETD) and teachers from the project’s partner colleges on October 17-18 in Yerevan.

The two-day workshop focused on the manual “Principles, Tools, Activities, and Methods for Practice-Based Teaching and Learning,” led by Professor Robert Lehmann from the University of Applied Sciences Bern.

Participants were familiarized with the content of the manual, tested various methods, and received advice on how to implement the manual in the classroom and in private companies from the instructors.

During discussions and practical exercises, the challenges and problems that arose at different stages of implementing education with a dual system were highlighted, along with potential solutions.

At the end of the workshop, participants received certificates.

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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ADA delegation visited ”ELOLA” dairy factory

A delegation from the Austrian Development Agency, led by Managing Director, Ambassador Friedrich Stift  visited the “ELOLA” dairy factory on October 16, as part of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: North-South 2” project, implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO.

The delegation included Walter Ehmeir, Head of the Bilateral Programs Department at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Andreas Liebmann, Deputy Head of Section VII (responsible for Austrian Development Cooperation); Klaus Kapper, Head of the ADA’s Office in Yerevan; and Nora Alanakyan, Deputy Head of Office.

During their visit to the Verishen settlement in Syunik marz, the ADA delegation was accompanied by Vahe Hovhannisyan, project manager for “Livestock Development in Armenia: North-South 2.” Hovhannisyan provided an overview of the project’s measures and interventions, detailing their impact on farm development in the Goris community and surrounding areas, as well as the project’s achievements and recorded outcomes.

Harutyun Tsatryan, Executive Director of the “ELOLA” factory, shared a brief history of the cooperation with the Strategic Development Agency NGO, highlighting the support received through various implemented and ongoing projects, and underscoring the importance of training.

Tsatryan also mentioned another project, “Modernizing Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA), which is co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency. He discussed the experience of accepting apprentices from the Goris State Agricultural College and providing them with work opportunities through dual education.

In his remarks, Ambassador Friedrich Stift expressed an understanding of the challenges faced by the local population and added that support for similar development projects is always in the focus of their organization.

After the tour, the delegation had the opportunity to taste the factory’s products.

“Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North 2” project is implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation.

Training for MAVETA Project Partners

As part of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a training session titled “Working with Apprentices in a Company: Instructor Skills” was conducted for mentors and instructors from six partner colleges and private sector organizations involved in the project.
The training was led by HAFL expert Johannes Brunner from October 2 to 10 in the cities of Stepanavan, Yerevan, Goris, and Sisian.
During the course, college instructors and employers were introduced to contemporary mentoring techniques, effective use of learning materials, assessment methods, as well as strategies for providing feedback and motivating apprentices.
The training aimed to enhance the capabilities of MAVETA project partner educational institutions and private sector representatives, ensuring they can effectively engage apprentices in the workplace and facilitate a smooth transition from education to practical work.
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).