Russia-UNDP Partnership supported Armenia’s rural communities and rural tourism development
On February 10, 2021 the online presentation of the results of two projects in Armenia ‘Integrated Support to Rural Communities’ and ‘Integrated Rural Tourism Development’ funded by the Russian Federation took place.
‘Integrated Support to Rural Communities’ was launched in 2015 with an aim to ensure balanced development of rural regions through an integrated socio-economic approach. The project strived to raise the quality of life and income level of the local population in 45 bordering communities of Tavush region. As a result, integrated community development plans for 45 communities were elaborated, more than 200 agricultural job opportunities were created, new infrastructure which proved to be energy efficient was built. Also, the access to irrigation water availability was improved: facilities were renovated resulting in preventing around 40% loss of irrigation water. More than 5000 people benefited from the outcomes of the project which helped to improve living and working conditions of local population in Tavush region.
The project ‘Integrated Rural Tourism Development’ started in 2016 with the goal to bring down the level of rural poverty, contribute to equal territorial development and shape conducive environment for rural development. Since the start of the project 60 new rural tourism destinations were introduced which led to 497 new job opportunities for local population, emerging of 21 new tourism-startups, rehabilitated infrastructure and new energy and water heating solutions introduced. The project contributed to elaboration of the country tourism strategy, bridging networks with active tourism stakeholders and promoting rural tourism worldwide.
The representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Armenia and national partners of the project attended the online event.