The project “Citizens’ Voice and Action in Consolidated Municipalities in Armenia” commenced from 31st of March, 2018 and is implemented by the consortium of Communities Finance Officers Association/lead applicant/, Association of Local Democracy Agenices/ LDA Armenia as a sub-contractor/ and Association of Communities of Armenia. The first steering committee meeting was held on 17th of May with CFOA, CAA and ALDA representatives to discuss the project preparatory phase, communication plan, launching conference, demonstration grant details in Ashotsk, Shirak region.
Within the months of July-December different activities took place:
- Tender was announced for design and construction of SKI centre in Ashotsk, Shirak region. After the deadline extension 2 applications were received from which in agreement with EUD, CFOA and ALDA Shell Construction LLC was confirmed. After some documentation issues the amount was confirmed and from middle of October, 2018 the construction commenced.
- Regional meetings were organized to make the community leaders familiar with the project, their involvement and future activities.
- Different meetings were held with the tourism stakeholders, Civil society, EUD representatives, construction company, international tourism experts to get the better understanding and priorities of the construction of the ski centre.
The opening of the ski centre took place on 26th of January, 2019.
On 25th of January, 2019 Gyumri technological centre hosted about 80 representatives from the target 52 communities, ministries, local and international CSO’s for the launching conference of the project “Citizens’ voice and actions in consolidated communities of Armenia”.
At the first plenary session welcoming speeches and project presentations were made by the representatives of three partner organisations: Mr. Vahan Movsisyan, Mr. Alexandru Coica and Mrs. Natalia Lapauri, on behalf of EU Delegation to Armenia head of cooperation department Mr. Gonzalo Serrano. Gyumri mayor Mr. Samvel Balasanyan made the welcoming speech for the second part of the conference whereas Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia H.E. Mr. Piotr Antoni Switalski, Mr. Mekhak Apresyan, chairman of the State Tourism Committee of Armenia, from the ministry of Territorial Development Mr. Ashot Giloyan were official guests and they all spoke out about the importance of the project that not only promotes community development but also makes people get engaged in the decision-making processes. The project also targets regional development in the form of tourism and outdoor activities. One of the three demonstrative grants has been implemented: construction of a ski centre in Ashotsk, Shirak region. At the end of the conference the participants were asked for a brainstorming concerning other two demonstrative grants content. Although the centre was officially opened during 2019 LDA Armenia delegate Lusine Aleksandryan and CFOA representatives were involved in solving the ownership issues and receiving the legal documents. The package of documents was circulated in the Ministry of Territorial Development and Infrastructure, twice was amended and at last at the end of November the Ministry confirmed the construction. The package was sent to Ashotsk community to get also community council decision on the land Alienation.
During the months of March-August the project team was involved in information sharing, searching for new and creative ideas to promote toursim and outdoor activities from other two northern regions of Armenia namely Lori and Tavush for the implementation of demo-grants. Out of ten ideas received only four were shotlisted for further consideration and elaboration. With a view to identify the other two demonstration outdoor activity projects with the suggestion of the European Union Delegation to Armenia and by the support of the Development and Strategic Studies, Armenia an international expert in the field of tourism was invited to make recommendations for identification of demonstration projects. With the project team an international expert paid visits to the regions to meet with relevant stakeholders and gather detailed information on the submitted project ideas. Only two ideas had the coverage of Tavush region but they all referred to Dilijan town that is a well developed touristic and resort area empowered by national and international investments.
Based on the expert report, the consortium suggested implementing both of the large scale demo-grants in one region, Lori to ensure more visible and tangible results and sustainability and cover a long distance from Vanadzor till Akhtala alongside Debed river as well as taking into consideration that the landscape and nature and historical monuments situated in the suggested area are unique and create possibilities for different outdoor activities and tourism development. From another angle the region has a strong demand of any touristic product development that would promote the quality of food and supply, reinforce the enlargement of accommodation and horeca services.
At last after long reflections and discussions with EUD in Yerevan two demo-grants would be implemented in Lori region: one project would target identification, design, planning and physical implementation of the outdoor activities (tourism products) in three directions: biking, hiking and rafting and the second one would focus on training and capacity building of local community members on professional outdoor guiding and site interpretation guiding. The objective was to develop skills amongst the local youth and community members in active life style, outdoor guiding and hospitality services. The implementing partners would be relatively “EcoLab Foundation for Sustainable Development and Active Citizenship” and Children of Armenia Charitable foundation (COAF)as both organizations are well experienced and skilful working in the target region.
As the training models of the second demo-grant should have been developed by COAF and to get better understanding of local needs and challenges of Lori region, a meeting took place on 6th of December, 2019 in Ibis hotel, Yerevan with the organizations having more experience and success stories in tourism development and potential of Armenia as well as in Lori region.
The recommendations and information provided were useful and were reflected in the application package drafted by COAF. Both organizations submitted application packages at the end of December, 2019.
On 19th of July in Aparan an event took place in the frames of the project “Citizens voice and Actions in consolidated communities in Armenia” for the presentation of successful flow of regional trainings in 52 consolidated communities and present some communities’ ideas for the re-granting scheme through “Citizens’ budget” mechanism. The governor of Aragatsotn region, EUD representatives, community leaders were among the main guests and the event was honoured by the Head of EU Delegation, Ambassador H.E. Mr. Piotr Antoni Switalski that stressed the importance of the project and communities role in local development. The event was also accompanied by cultural part thanks to the professional groups from the regions.
Because of the pandemic delays the project “Citizens’ voice and actions in consolidated communities of Armenia” was extended till May 31st, 2021 and as ALDA component the following activities were implemented whereas LDA Armenia was a local partner to consult the project teams and handle over the management.
- “Advancing Rural Tourism through Capacity Building in 4 Communities of Lori Region” – sub-grant carried out by “Children of Armenia” charitable Fund. Because of the difficulties and restrictions within the project implementation and changes in the actions the project team managed to complete the project namely:
- A tear-out tourist map has been printed in Armenian and English and is available at COAF SMART Visitor center and other local VCs for people to get full practical information
- the texts have been produced in Armenian and the brochure has been translated into 4 more languages /English, Russian, Farsi, French
- the contacts/ services /facilities information on beneficiary B&Bs have been collected and shared with the Visitor Center
- The Debet Canyon website is the most comprehensively informative outcome of the project and will be further maintained by COAF to raise awareness and promote local tourism
- The bilingual promotional video is available on youtube and was shared on the Public TV of Armenia, becoming an advertisement of Lori Region.
- 20-minute long professional footage filmed and edited: the videos are made for those who want to explore Debed Canyon through active and cultural tourism and get practical information
- Hospitality and Digital marketing consultancy, hiking guides training, hiking trails development.
- “Advancing summer outdoor activities” – sub-grant implemented by ECOHUB foundation.
The most significant achievement of this project is involvement and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders of civil society, local administration and local businesses. The Smart Board is one-of-a-kind in Armenia and provides information and downloadable maps of hiking and cycling trails in Vanadzor and Debed Canyon, as well as cultural sites and accommodations in the area.
Boo Mountain Bike Park finalized the Master plan of cycling in Vanadzor Canyon which is located in Sections N8 and N9 of the Vanadzor Forestry. Artek trail was equipped with about 20 trail signs. Boo MBP has commenced the construction of their Bike Center (bike rentals and cafe). Their website has been finalized and is accessible at http://www.boobikepark.com/.
Bear’s Trail hiking route was passed to HIKE Armenia, together with the relevant accommodation information and local guides information. The director of HIKE Armenia tested the trail on May 25, and they will add it to their website & application soon.
The improved infrastructure of Rafting in Armenia (more rafts and change rooms/showers) add to the quality of the service and attract more travelers.
“FOSTERING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TOURISM” conference
The conference “Fostering Local Development through Tourism” took place on 26th of May in the frames of the project “Citizens’ voice and actions in consolidated communities of Armenia” with hybrid format supported by European Union. The conference aimed to conclude the 3 years’ project that was implemented in Lori, Shirak and Tavush regions of Armenia and share best practices in local development at community and regional levels executed by the consortium of Communities Finance Officers Association, European Association for Local Democracy and Union of communities of Armenia.
Mrs. Silja Kasmann, Deputy Head of Cooperation Section from Delegation of the European Union to Armenia officially opened the conference, welcomed the participants emphasizing the importance of the project for the communities and how the tourism potential can promote development of Armenia.
Consortium member organization leaders Mr. Vahan Movsisyan, Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida and Mr. Emin Yeritsyan shared with the experience, difficulties and challenges during the project implementation. Tourism sphere experts from Armenia, Georgia and Moldova presented the realities in each country during and after covid, possibilities to recover tourism industry, promotion of digital tools and innovations, development of internal tourism.
Projects implemented within inter-community and demonstrative re-granting scheme once again approved the importance of community and economic development through tourism in Armenia.