European Union launches 15 new projects in Armenia

On Dec 18 the EU Delegation to
Armenia held an official ceremony for the signature of fifteen EU cooperation
projects in Yerevan. New actions with a total budget of approximately 10 million
EUR will support civil society and local authorities as well as government
reforms in Armenia.

The EU Delegation to Armenia reports that the fifteen
contracts are in various fields of bilateral and regional cooperation – from
agriculture and rural development through human rights and democracy to poverty
reduction and sustainable urban development.

The ceremony was welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Traian
Hristea, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia. "The EU remains committed
to further engage with Armenia and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas
of mutual interest based on shared values. It is my pleasure to welcome the
start of important initiatives that will benefit from EU funding," he
noted.

The majority of projects focus on supporting the
respect for human rights and are implemented by international and local civil
society.  Over the next two-three years,
they will promote civil society dialogue, strengthen freedom of expression,
rule of law, advance gender equality and combat gender-based sex selective
abortions in Armenia.  They will also
promote the integration of Syrian refugees in the country and assist children
without parents.

Other EU-funded initiatives will provide technical
assistance for reforms in agriculture and rural development in Armenia,
strengthening new and existing producer groups and supporting institution
building of the Ministry of Agriculture. They will accompany the overall EU
sector support program for the development of agriculture and rural areas.

Poverty reduction and sustainable development is the
goal of four of the new contracts to be implemented through non-state actors
and local authorities. They will help minimize social and economic hardship of
rural communities in Shirak, develop sustainable tourism, promote ecological
bee keeping in Vayots Dzor and improve public services in Jujevan, Baghanis and
Voskevan.

Another action will provide access to renewable and
efficient energy in the municipalities Vayq and Spitak.

Most of the new projects are the result of global and
local calls for proposals through the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights
and the thematic program on Non-state actors and local authorities in
development.