To prevent further degradation of lands that have become unsuitable for agriculture, the charity foundation ATP has initiated the establishment of forests. Following this strategy, forest areas in the Lori and Shirak regions have been selected for planting as part of the EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future project.

Even after the project’s conclusion, on-going efforts such as monitoring, tree care, replanting, protection from rodents, fire prevention, and other necessary maintenance activities are carried out in the forested areas. These efforts will persist until the areas are fully covered with trees and officially designated as forests.

The EU-funded project is a collaborative effort involving several partners: the ATP charitable foundation, the Jinishyan Memorial Foundation, and the Armenian Energy Agency Foundation.

Site Selection

Vahe Matsakyan, the head of ATP’s Reforestation Department

An area of 60 hectares was chosen for afforestation in Mets Sariar of the Shirak region, and 40 hectares in the Urasar community of the Lori region. Both regions are considered forest-poor communities. Compared to Lori and Tavush, the Shirak region is devoid of forests, with no natural forest masses. Similarly, the Urasar community has a low level of afforestation.

ATP generally selects areas for afforestation that have become unsuitable for agricultural use and are degrading year by year. Afforestation helps save these territories by preventing further erosion and protecting the soil from wind and rain. The second criterion for area selection is the expected environmental benefits for the surrounding agricultural plains and settlements. Once potential areas are identified, ATP conducts comprehensive studies, including, identifying the presence of naturally occurring plants, checking for soil contamination with heavy metals, the degree of rockiness, elevation, the multi-year analysis of climatic factors. Following these studies, ATP undertakes a series of complex environmental impact assessments. These assessments involve studying plants listed in the Red Book and determining whether the afforestation activities will hinder the development and growth of local wildlife. The final approval for these activities is granted by the Ministry of Environment.

Before the actual afforestation begins, we create a detailed plan, which includes growing tree species suitable for the specific area in our nurseries. Prior to starting the afforestation programme, we organize community hearings to engage and inform local residents, recruit a labour force, and conduct training sessions on afforestation techniques. For instance, the residents of Mets Sariar had never participated in afforestation projects before, so it was essential to thoroughly explain the rules of agrotechnics for afforestation to them.

The choice of trees is made by considering the area’s climatic conditions, ensuring that selected species will demonstrate good growth and development and form a stable forest. Additionally, the impact of these trees on the development, preservation, and enrichment of the area’s biodiversity is carefully evaluated. In the afforestation areas established by this programme, pine and oak were selected as the main forest species, while ash, maple, rowan, birch, pear, and apple were chosen as supporting species.

Post-forestation activities

After afforestation, we conduct an inventory to assess tree adhesion and determine how many are viable. The success indicators for this programme are quite high, at 80-85%. In the summer of 2023, as part of the project, we carried out agrotechnical care works. Additionally, we implemented anti-fire measures in some areas by creating firebreaks to prevent fires from spreading from adjacent plains.

Although the project has concluded, these activities will continue until the trees are fully grown, the areas become forested, and the trees no longer have to compete with herbs. The harsher the conditions, the slower the afforestation process. In the Mets Sariar community, the climatic conditions are relatively unfavourable for forest growth due to the high level above the sea and steep slopes. However, we hope to have a fully developed forest in about ten years.

This programme significantly increased the wages of the workforce. Previously, ATP paid AMD 40 for each planted tree, but under the EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future зкщоусе, the payment to seasonal employees increased to AMD 65 per tree (excluding VAT). This adjustment allowed us to offer competitive wages in other areas as well, making ATP one of the highest-paying employers in the market for this type of work.

Project goals and outcomes

Rima Abrahamyan, EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future, project coordinator

We have implemented the Green Community, Resilient Future project in 15 urban communities across the Shirak, Tavush, and Lori regions to improve the environmental conditions of these cities and promote adaptation to climate change. Key focus areas of the project include greening initiatives, household waste management, promoting renewable energy adoption (energy saving), and improving energy efficiency measures.

In recent years, urbanization in Armenia has seen a significant increase, leading to unique risks and vulnerabilities in regional cities when it comes to adapting to climate change. Challenges such as environmental pollution, land degradation, water and energy scarcity, unemployment, and inadequate public green spaces for social interaction pose threats to the well-being of these cities. The Green Community, Resilient Future project was specifically designed to tackle these issues. It formulated a logical framework and action matrix that outlined goals and indicators aimed at making communities and settlements more inclusive, resilient, and safe over the long term.

Despite numerous challenges including the coronavirus pandemic, war, and political and economic upheavals, the project achieved high performance indicators throughout its 3-year implementation period. These external factors often affected delivery schedules, necessitating flexibility, resilience, and a strong focus on goals. It was these qualities that ensured the success of the project, culminating in the following results:

•    100 hectares of forest in Lori and Shirak regions  
•    22 parks and public recreation areas in target communities
•    50 green schools in target regions
•    One modern nursery in Shirak region with a productivity of 100,000 seedlings
•    150 new micro-enterprise home nurseries in 12 communities, producing up to 200,000 seedlings annually
•    10 new eco-clubs established and 5 existing eco-clubs strengthened to provide continuous environmental education and to educate eco-literate generations
•    Involvement of around 7,000 schoolchildren in eco-camps and annual garbage collection and tree planting activities
•    An online information exchange and learning platform featuring the vision of the Green Management model, the foundational courses, and other available information.

The Green Management Model of Urban Development

One of the most significant achievements of the project, with long-term impact expected to become visible in the coming years, was the development and introduction of the Green Management Model for communities.

In the last decade, international experience has highlighted the critical relevance of applying Green urban development models. This trend has emerged in response to rapid urbanization, extensive construction, infrastructure development, increased vehicular traffic, and other human and natural factors that adversely affect the environment. It is an action plan or vision that communities should adopt to foster a healthy and sustainable environment for their residents.

Such a model has been developed for our target communities through analysing community needs, reviewing the legislative framework, and integrating international best practices. In our example, the model consists of interconnected components that form the pillars of green management:

●    Sustainable management of natural resources (water, soil, forest, etc.)
●    “Green” energy management (energy efficiency and renewable energy)
●    “Green” waste management (including waste sorting and recycling)
●    Implementation and management of “green” transport
●    Care and protection of green areas and the mechanisms supporting the effective management of these pillars, which are:
●    Promotion of private-public cooperation, social responsibility
●    Public awareness and education on environmental topics  
●    E-governance implementation
●    Introduction of sustainable financial management
●    Ensuring green management monitoring

Thus, the model represents the entire value chain of a green city, encompassing strategic planning, implementation, continuous monitoring, and management of knowledge.

The vision of the model may vary in emphasis across different communities based on their specific needs and characteristics. However, the goal remains the same: to achieve more with fewer resources, ensuring residents’ rights to live in a healthy and supportive environment, and assisting communities in becoming more resource-efficient while adapting to climate change.

Prior to implementing the pilot of the model, training sessions were conducted on the 10 topics that constitute the basis of the model. These sessions were attended by community stakeholders from all 15 communities and employees from relevant departments of regional administrations. Based on the assessment results of the training course, we identified 3 mentors who formed working groups and initiated the pilot application of the model in the communities of Ijevan, Tumanyan, and Noyemberyan.

During the 5-month pilot application of the project, we conducted a series of meetings and round table discussions involving municipal government employees from the target communities, mentors, and local NGOs. Throughout the development and implementation of the model, we received active support from colleagues at the Local Self-Government Policy Department of the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

As a result, the “green” management model, which was approved by the councils, has been included in the annual work plans of these communities.

Due to project deadlines that did not permit the application of the “green” management model across all regions and communities of the Republic of Armenia, we established the online information platform www.gcrf.am that provides users with access to detailed descriptions of the model and its foundational course modules.

Through the introduction of the “green” management model, our aim is to foster the development of green communities grounded in long-term environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic stability.

Improvement of living standards

Improvement of living standards in the beneficiary communities was one of the indirect objectives of the project, which we aimed to achieve through specific activities. To this end, we actively involved residents of the communities in seasonal work, including tree planting, replanting, and preparatory activities for afforestation. As a result, approximately 290 new jobs were created in the beneficiary communities.

In addition, through active collaboration with municipalities, we launched the home nurseries project, engaging 150 beneficiary families. The project aimed to empower these families by providing them with free seeds, vouchers, professional support, and guidance from ATP. Beneficiaries were encouraged to establish small nurseries on plots adjacent to their homes, where they could cultivate tree species suitable for afforestation and community greening. During the planting season, ATP purchased the grown trees from these nurseries, thereby creating an additional source of income for the families involved. As part of the project, beneficiaries also received a small grant to purchase necessary tools and organize the work more efficiently.

For landscaping projects, ATP purchased over 200,000 tree species. Additionally, ATP endeavoured to identify new markets to further distribute the saplings grown by these nurseries.

Supporting home nurseries represents a significant corporate social responsibility programme for companies interested in investing in environmental protection and social impact simultaneously. By partnering with ATP, responsible companies can assist these nurseries in cultivating tree species. ATP provides the seeds and cuttings free of charge, and once grown, the saplings are used in community greening efforts. This joint effort aims to foster greener, more resilient communities while improving the quality of life for residents in rural areas.

Ani Khchoyan