UNDP will support livelihoods of around 28,000 people in Armenia,  including displaced, funded by Russian Federation  

ArmInfo.Today, Sergei Kopyrkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Armenia, and Mihaela Stojkoska, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Armenia,  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a project to  support the most vulnerable communities and groups in Armenia,  including the displaced people, particularly targeting the bordering  regions of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor. 

According to the press service of UNDP, the project worth USD 3.2  million is funded by the Government of the Russian Federation and  implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in  Armenia.

In line with the Armenian government's agenda to fight poverty  through inclusive growth, entrepreneurship and job creation, the  project targets to build sustainable emergency livelihoods for the  vulnerable, including the displaced people and veterans, in the  regions of Armenia; support their socio-economic integration through  various job creation mechanisms, and maximize the benefits of  socio-economic recovery for the host communities and the vulnerable  groups through sustainable green energy solutions. 

"One of the main goals of the project launched today is to contribute  to the ability of the Armenian society to overcome post-conflict  stress, regain confidence and strength to move forward - to what we,  as the key strategic ally attach great significance. This initiative  is another step in Russia's consistent and systematic support of the  comprehensive socioeconomic development of Armenia carried out via  bilateral and international mechanisms," said Sergei Kopyrkin.

"UNDP in Armenia, with generous financial support of the Russian  Federation, will not only cover the immediate needs of the vulnerable  communities and groups in Armenia, such as support to livelihoods,  housing, jobs, energy and other issues, but also provide sustainable  solutions that go beyond the humanitarian assistance and embrace  development path, benefitting also the host communities and easing  the burden of the Government of Armenia," said Mihaela Stojkoska. 

UNDP and the Russian Federation have a track-record of successful  partnership in areas of sustainable development, rural tourism,  climate change, energy and environment. The current two-year project  will be implemented in close collaboration with the RA Ministry of  Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

Let us remind that Russia on a systematic basis provides financial  support to the initiatives of the UN structures aimed at the  comprehensive development of Armenia. The total volume of such  assistance in the implementation of projects in the field of health  care, education, socio-economic development (including rural and  border areas), increasing the competitiveness of the Armenian  industry, environmental protection, disaster management, energy  efficiency since 2010 has already amounted to about 70 USD million.