21 Oct
Uncategorized

SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTEGRATION OF REFUGEES IN ARMENIA (SEIRA)

The Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia (SEIRA) is a three-year project aimed at enhancing the livelihoods and resilience of refugee and vulnerable host populations in Armenia. This project is implemented in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO, targeting six communities across the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions, which were involved previously in the REBCA project. The SEIRA project is the SDC contribution to the wider efforts of the Government and other important stakeholders with the aim to pioneer the shift from purely humanitarian into a long-term development nexus approach.

In response to the influx of over 115,257 refugees from Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian government has implemented measures to provide essential services, including education and health care. Despite these efforts, refugees face significant challenges, particularly in food security, livelihoods, and housing. The SEIRA project seeks to address these challenges by fostering socio-economic integration and resilience through agricultural activities and self-employment opportunities.

The SIERA project focuses on integrating both refugee and local populations, with particular attention to women, youth, and individuals with disabilities. It aims to engage smallholder farmers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the target communities.

19 Jul
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“Irrigated agriculture development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM)

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.

The project supports the Government of Armenia in policy matters linked with development of modernized irrigated agriculture and provides strong support at local level to farmers and concerned stakeholders at crafting, promoting and financing pilot operations in Ararat and Armavir marzes.

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.

The IADAAM project is also supporting the adaptation to climate change and making agricultural production more resilient to the effects of changing weather events e.g. draught, heavy rains and hail. The project will also support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in particular support Women and young farmers and the youth to participate in project activities and grants.

The project started in 2024 and shall run until 2026.

27 Jun
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Cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

“Strategic Development Agency” NGO has been cooperating with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations since 2012, implementing a numerous of projects and researches with the financial support of the latter, which are shortly presented below։

  • “Technical and institutional support to veterinary services in Armenia”։ The goal of the project: the strengthening of veterinary services public sector in Syunik marz contributing to improvement of the food safety system and sustainable agricultural development in Armenia.
  • “National survey on conservation of dual-purpose cattle and collection of genetic samples”։ The purpose of the study: to assess the current situation related to the genetic resources, production environment and breeding background of the Caucasian Brown cattle breed in Armenia, to identify the priorities, gaps, bottlenecks and opportunities for the selected breed.
  • “How to Improve silage and fodder preparation based on Inspection Reports”: The aim of the study: to assess the nutritional quality of silage and fodder for animals and develop recommendations to farmers on how to improve the quality of the silage and fodder on their farms.
  • “Current situation of Artificial Insemination in Armenia”: The purpose of the study: to assess technical and infrastructural constraints of cattle artificial insemination (AI) services currently available in Armenia, as well as to provide recommendations on the areas of improvement in AI services.
  • “Implementation of a survey on the use of antimicrobials and collection of samples for antimicrobial resistance testing in Armenia”։ The survey aim: to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices among farmers and livestock producers of priority livestock production systems, veterinarians, feed mills and veterinary pharmacies to identify their patterns of antimicrobial use.
  • “Development of a mobile data collection system for six countries and four languages”։ The project aim: development of a mobile data collection system to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock producers, veterinarians, veterinary pharmacies and feed mills for identify the patterns of antimicrobial use (AMU) and their understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • “Emergency Humanitarian assistance to conflict affected vulnerable groups in Armenia”: The aim of the project: to increase the knowledge of the beneficiaries (displaced families) on good animal husbandry practices and farm management.
  • “Capacity building program for dairy and poultry farmers and veterinarians to reduce the use of antimicrobials (AMU) through improved husbandry and biosecurity practices”: The aim of the project: to increase the knowledge of dairy and poultry farmers and veterinarians on reduced AMU and promote the implementation of biosecurity and good practices.
  • “Linking farms, livestock markets and slaughterhouses”։ The aim of the project: the collection and analysis of data from livestock markets (LM) and slaughterhouses (SH) throughout the territory of the Republic of Armenia, in an effort to understand the patterns of animal movement between them, as well as the structure and practices within slaughterhouses in Armenia.
  • “Analyses of the Agricultural and Livelihood Needs of the Refugee Population Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh”: The aim of the project: to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence on the food security, agricultural livelihoods, and income-generating opportunities/value chain linkages for incoming refugee households from Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, it seeks to assess the needs and context of vulnerable host families and households in communities or areas with significant concentrations of refugee households.
  • “Post Disaster Needs Assessment in Agricultural Sector”: The aim of the project: to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence on the damage and loss, pre-disaster baseline condition related to the agricultural sector as well as post disaster needs assessment. Estimate the value of the damage and loss and develop the analysis of expected trend. Based on the reconstruction and recovery needs provide recommendations on recovery strategy.
  • “Implementation of a survey on the use of antiparasitic drugs and collection of samples for antiparasitic resistance testing in Armenia”:  The aim of the project: to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices among livestock producers, veterinarians, and veterinary pharmacies to identify the patterns of antiparasitic drugs use, their perspectives on use and resistance.

 

 

 

05 Nov
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“Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North 2”

“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.

The project is the logical continuation of “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” Project . The project was developed taking into consideration the successful implementation of livestock development projects in Syunik, Gegharkunik and Shirak marzes and based on the previous phase results and achievements.

The Project’s intended impact is:

Inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth of livestock-depending rural communities in Armenia through improved productivity and enhanced competitiveness of the private sector in the domestic and export markets. The project is based on inclusive market systems development (IMSD) principles focused on developing sustainable service delivery and systematic change with the livestock sector through capacity development of direct beneficiaries.

  • The Project targets households involved in cattle breeding, actors of milk and meat value chains and Local Self-Governing Bodies of 70 rural settlements of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Shirak marzes.
  • The project predominantly focuses on developing sustainable and inclusive service delivery and systemic change with the livestock sector through development of about 140 local actors’ (private and public) capacities and strengthening cooperation and linkages amongst market players and stakeholders involved in milk and meat value chains.

The project will address cross-cutting issues like:

  • environmental protection,
  • climate change,
  • gender equality as well as specific needs of vulnerable people (including youth, women-headed households,
  • disabled,
  • ethnic minorities,
  • displaced population from Nagorno-Karabakh etc.)
14 Jan
ProjectPortfolioENG

“Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA)

Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project started on December 3, 2021, with a preparatory phase that has been successfully completed in August 2022. The 1st main phase of implementation started afterwards, which will last until August 2025. The 2nd main phase will start in 2026 and last until 2030.

Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project improves the knowledge and skills of professionals and students in agriculture and related fields. Furthermore, it supports the development of the legal and institutional framework for dual professional education. Thus, it contributes to sustainable, climate friendly, inclusive growth, increased incomes and enhanced (self)-employment in rural Armenia.

MAVETA works to anchor dual education approach at the political and institutional level: policies shall become more coherent, educational institutions more effective, and a cooperation between the public and the private sector shall be well established. On the ground, the project works with Goris State Agricultural College, Sisian branch of ANAU (Syunik), Stepanavan State Agricultural College (Lori), Berd Multifunctional State College (Tavush), Echmiadzin Craftsman State School (Armavir) and Yerevan branch of ANAU.

The selected professions within MAVETA project include Veterinary Specialist, Milk and Dairy Technologist, Farmer, Agricultural Machinery, Milk Farm Manager, Orchard Workers / Nut and Fruit Farmers.

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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