With EU funding comfortable offices of Local Active Groups opened in Azatamut and Ayrum villages

YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. The official openings of the offices of “Aghstevi Hovit” and “Gandzor” Local Active Groups (LAGs) created by the LEADER/Community-led rural development methodology took place on July 25 in Azatamut and Ayrum settlements of Tavush region.

These LAGs were established within the framework of the “EU Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Lori and Tavush Regions” project (EULEAD4Lori and Tavush Regions) with the LEADER/community-led rural development methodology successfully used in rural communities of European countries for more than 30 years.

“We think LAGs can become a sustainable platform for local dialogue between the local authorities, local businesses and civil society for discussing and implementing impactful projects for the benefit of local population,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili at the opening ceremony.

Within the framework of the project, five LAGs were created in Lori and Tavush in a “bottom-up” format, covering most of the rural settlements of the regions. In a similar format, three more LAGs were also established in Shirak region with the EU funding and efforts of the Austrian Development Agency.

The LAGs, are composed of representatives of the state, private and civil society sectors, who, in accordance with the principle of inclusive development, have developed their strategic action plans.

In the first quarter of 2023, each LAG set development goals to be achieved in the first two years and announced the first local grant competition. After the selection of the project proposals that correspond to the stated goals and are recognized as suitable for implementation, the implementation of the first projects began in June.

In the near future, such offices will also be opened for the other three – “Lorva Dzor”, “Tashir Plus” and “Tsili Tsov” LAGs, which will enable them to successfully operate and implement their strategic plans.

About EU Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Lori and Tavush regions project

The EU Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Lori and Tavush regions Project (EULEAD4Lori and Tavush Regions) is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with UN Food and Agricultural Programme and in close cooperation with the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and Ministry of Economy.

The project is implemented in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia as part of the European Union's "LEADER" / Community-led Local Development (CLD) concept and aims to actively involve local actors and the population in development processes, create infrastructure supporting local development and improve the relevant ministries and agencies for successful implementtaion of the concept and ensuring stability in Armenia. --0--