On April 4, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) approved an amount of 4 500 000 Swiss franc (CHF) for an earlier announced project “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia”.

The project will assist Armenia to combine in an innovative manner nature conservation and economic growth to the benefit of those most in need. The project is implemented by the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Strategic Development Agency NGO as a part of a broader regional program Eco-Corridor Fund for the Caucasus (ECF).   

“Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” aims at improving incomes of farmers and rural businesses in remote areas, thanks to a better economic and more sustainable use of local natural resources. As an effort to link economic growth, protection of natural resources and biodiversity, it also contributes to promoting environment and climate change policies.

The heart and the core of the project is the development of an environmentally friendly tourism with the rural, poor population as the main beneficiary. This focus of an inclusive tourism which complements the official national tourism policy has a large potential for upscaling within Armenia and in the South Caucasus.
 
The project will last for eight years, with funds amounting to CHF 4 500 000, and will be implemented in Tavush, Lori, Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia.