About the Project
The "Clean Future for Armenia's Mountain Rivers" project aims to support the protection of Armenia's mountain rivers by strengthening the capacities of local communities, civil society, and environmental initiatives.
The project is being implemented in the Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions, in 12 villages, in the basins of 5 mountain rivers that feed Lake Sevan.
As part of the project, local volunteer groups will be established and developed, environmental education programs will be carried out, along with river cleanup actions, journalism training courses, and experience-exchange initiatives between Armenia and Germany.
The project is implemented in partnership with the "Armenian Association for Humanity and Nature" (FPAN) civil society organization and the German GRÜNE LIGA Berlin e.V. organization.
Project Goal
To improve the ecological condition of the mountain rivers that feed Lake Sevan by developing community participation in environmental problem-solving processes, forming local environmental initiatives, raising environmental awareness and responsibility, and strengthening cooperation between civil society and communities.
What Challenges Does the Project Address
Armenia's mountain rivers are of great importance for nature, agriculture, and water resource conservation. However, many communities face a number of challenges.
Despite various state and international initiatives, long-term solutions based on local participation are still needed at the level of the mountain rivers.
Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions
The project is implemented in the basins of five mountain rivers that feed Lake Sevan, covering 12 rural communities.
Project river basins
Main Project Activities
The project combines volunteer, educational, and creative components to ensure the long-term engagement of communities.
Establishing local "River Guardians" groups
Five volunteer groups will be created, bringing together local active residents, young people, and women. Group members will gain knowledge and skills in:
- environmental issues
- community work
- volunteer management
- environmental rights
- public participation
Volunteer river cleanup actions
12 community environmental actions will be carried out, aimed at:
- cleaning riverbanks
- collecting and sorting waste
- raising environmental awareness
The actions will involve community residents, schools, youth groups, and organizational volunteers.
Experience exchange and community visits
Experience-exchange visits will be organized between different communities in Armenia, contributing to the spread of successful environmental initiatives.
Environmental journalism training courses
Training courses for journalists and bloggers will be held, focused on:
- covering environmental topics
- fact-checking
- storytelling
- raising public awareness about the environment
"Voices from the Mountain Rivers" creative initiative
To showcase the participation of young people and communities, competitions will be held for:
- short videos
- photographs
- social media stories
Experience exchange with Germany
An educational trip to Germany is planned for project participants to study protected natural areas, national parks, and community-based environmental initiatives.
Target Groups
The project's main beneficiaries are residents of the 12 villages of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor, as well as media representatives working on environmental topics.
"Voices from the Mountain Rivers"
A river is not just a flow of water. It is part of the community's everyday life, connected to water, land, memory, and the future.
Through competitions for videos, photographs, and social media stories, young people present their rivers' stories themselves, becoming carriers of environmental discourse in their communities.
Expected Results
Funding, Initiating, and Implementing Partners
Contact
For more information about the project's activities, events, and participation opportunities, please contact us.
FPAN
Tel: +374 44 599949
Website: fpan.am
The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
The project is implemented in partnership with the "Armenian Association for Humanity and Nature" (FPAN) and GRÜNE LIGA Berlin e.V.
