The State Museum of Nature of Armenia hosted a workshop within the framework of “Say no to plastic bag” project.

UNDP announces the launch of the global call for nominations for the Equator Prize 2024.

UNDP supported the deployment of innovative underwater technology.

Deadline is extended

Membership in the National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme in Armenia

Let us introduce Vahan from Vanadzor, who is the only breadwinner of his family.

The solar system installed almost 14 years ago is still operating uninterruptedly. What is the formula of this sustainability?

On 6 July, Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, Vache Terteryan, RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Hovhannes Avetisyan, Deputy Governor of Lori region, as well as representatives of the World Bank, partner organizations and community took part in the official opening of the reservoir in Lernavan settlement of Spitak community.

Today, the National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Armenia approved three grant projects, addressing OP-7 strategic initiatives in Land Degradation and Capacity Building focal areas. Among the approved projects, there is a project that addresses plastic waste issue and encompasses say no to plastic waster campaign initiated by the Government of Armenia.

In Armenia the creation of innovative information technology platform as a means to discuss environmental issues aims at raising awareness among school children and coming up with innovative solutions to such problems. On June 7, within the framework of Green Book project the UN House hosted the workshop titled “Eco-Café” with a participation of schoolteachers. The project is being implemented by “Women in Climate and Energy” NGO through the funding by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme.

Within the framework of the project “Supporting the promotion of Green Economy and constructive public dialogue in Armenia” funded by the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme, a series of consultations took place with the presence of civil society, scientific and local self-governance representatives.

Today, the National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility\'s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Armenia approved five grant projects, addressing OP-7 strategic initiatives in Biodiversity Conservation, Land Degradation and Climate Change Mitigation focal areas. Among the approved projects, there is a strategic project that addresses energy security and climate resilience in crisis-affected areas of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions.

On November 8, 2022, Ms. Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, Mr. John Gallagher, UK Ambassador to Armenia as well as representatives from different international organizations, government institutions and diplomatic missions in Armenia took part in the demo event organized jointly by the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme and ISSD NGO at Ohanyan Educational Complex. The event included tree planting at the school orchard and demonstration of composting technology to promote a zero-waste culture and increase public awareness on the importance of composting among schoolchildren.

UNDP in Armenia GEF Small Grants Programme supported involvement of youth in climate change activities through establishment of low carbon energy educational centers in six technical colleges of Tavush, Shirak, Lori and Gegharkunik regions. Based on this educational platform, a new specialization on “Installation, Repair and Maintenance of Renewable Energy Power Stations/Energy Sites” has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, as well as a respective textbook was developed and is currently included in the state curricula.

IMPROVING ENERGY SECURITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE TO ADDRESS STRESS IN CRISIS-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF GEGHARKUNIK, VAYOTS DZOR AND SYUNIK PROVINCES The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) project opens a special call for proposals aimed at introduction of green energy and energy-efficiency solutions to improve energy security and climate resilience, as well as address social needs of communities in stress.Background As a result of the escalation of the armed conflict in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in September 2022, a number of people was displaced, significant damage was caused to communities’ houses and infrastructures, including electricity lines, gas pipelines, irrigation systems, administrative and public buildings, roads, etc. The population of the affected communities, that relies mainly on their own agricultural products, experienced loss of arable and pasture lands, as well as yield to be harvested, causing risks to their livelihoods and increasing migration. Frequent electricity and gas supply disruptions result in increased pressure on already limited forest resources, which are also threatened by wildfires due to shooting. The situation has particularly affected the life of women and children from bordering communities, leading to serious lack of access to basic social services, shortage of food and non-food items, affecting mental health and sense of security.Additional challenge for these communities is the approaching winter season, that will increase the burden of satisfying energy needs and associated utility costs in communities in stress. Heating, hot water supply, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene will be vital during coming (cold) months for socially vulnerable population with limited capacities to utilize green energy sources. This will result in increased energy expenses as well as growing firewood demand which tends to negatively impact especially forest adjacent communities. Recognizing access to and affordability of energy as a core concern, Government of Armenia is prioritizing long-lasting and sustainable solutions for decentralized and renewable energy generation in combination with energy efficiency measures.Without immediate and direct support to make the transition to innovative low carbon and energy-efficient solutions, the communities in stress will be pushed below the poverty line, which will escalate and further hinder people’s chances of recovering from the crisis.Program ObjectivesThis Call for Proposals aims at supporting activities of NGOs and CBOs to galvanize transformation to renewable energy from fossil fuels through introduction of low-carbon and energy-efficient innovative technological solutions in communities of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces of Armenia. It is expected that important community facilities and infrastructures will be the major focus of the project, aiming for a long-term impact. This will greatly contribute to increased socio-economic benefits, reduction of firewood use, improved living conditions and awareness raising on application of renewable and energy-efficient technologies. Project eligibility criteria: - Proposals should be bold, innovative, and transformative, and have the potential for replication and scaling up; - Projects should introduce impactful and innovative low-carbon and energy-efficient solutions to be further elevated beyond local level;- Projects should create greater impact and closer links between local efforts and global environmental benefits (GEBs) by supporting more extensive geographical coverage;- Make effective use of the built up capacity of local communities for replication of successful technologies and approaches;- Successful projects should consider strong social inclusion elements, including gender equality and women’s empowerment and persons with disabilities; - Proponents are encouraged to leverage additional resources and partnerships with larger networks (including co-financing with international foundations, NGOs and the private sector). The project selection process and further implementation remains in line with established SGP standards and procedures. The call is open to the national NGOs operating in Armenia.Budget:As per the SGP Operational Guidelines, the maximum amount for each grant project should not exceed the limit of US$ 150,000 envisaged by the SGP for a strategic project. The winner will be asked to propose a combination of hard and soft interventions, where at least $130,000 will be allocated to investment into procurement, construction materials, equipment, technical expertise, etc., and not more than $20,000 to supporting the progress of the projects through organizational capacity building, trainings and monitoring.Duration:The duration of each grant project shall not exceed 12 months, given the nature of projects.It is strongly advised to send project concept notes to the SGP-Armenia for technical feedback before a full proposal is submitted to the National Steering Committee for review and approval.Project concepts should be submitted to SGP -Armenia via email at [email protected] deadline for applications is October 3, 2022 The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) project opens a special call for proposals aimed at introduction of green energy and energy-efficiency solutions to improve energy security and climate resilience, as well as address social needs of communities in stress.

On July 20 a kick-off meeting of the “Green Book” project took place at the UN House in Armenia. The project is being implemented by “Women in Climate and Energy” NGO through financial support of the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme.

The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Armenia is pleased to announce the receipt of GEF STAR funds for grant-making in Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Climate Change focal areas. Applications are accepted from registered national NGOs without foreign founders regularly throughout the year. Maximum size of the grant cannot exceed US$50,000 equivalent.

Today, the National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility\'s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Armenia approved three grant projects, addressing the OP-7 strategic initiatives on Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries and Food Security and CSO-Government-Private Sector Policy and Planning Dialogue Platforms.

The project titled “PLUG.AM: Promotion of Electric Vehicles in Armenia” received one of the most significant environmental awards worldwide: Energy Globe National Award 2021. Funded by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) the project, successfully implemented by the Armenian Energy Agency Foundation (AEA) geared towards contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions.