LILA Project Concluded: Investments, Green Infrastructure, and Sustainable Development in Four Regions of Armenia

On November 21, 2025, “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project was officially concluded. The programme has had a significant impact on economic development, ecotourism, and the promotion of green practices in seven consolidated communities across Tavush, Lori, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions.

The project’s total budget amounted to 2.5 million Swiss francs, of which 1.5 million was allocated to economic development and 1 million to environmental infrastructure and sustainable natural resource management.

Within the framework of this project, solar photovoltaic stations and water heaters were installed in communities, pasture infrastructure was constructed, and pasture management plans were developed. Under the economic component, gastrotourism yards, tasting halls and small production units were established or upgraded, while tourism experiences were developed and digitized.

A total of 508 households received additional income, increasing community resilience and livelihood opportunities. Thirty-one businesses with around 700 employees received support in tourism and related sectors, and nearly 70,000 visitors benefited from improved infrastructure.

The project has also had a visible impact on the climate: 102 tons of CO₂ emissions were prevented-equivalent to 12 million AMD in budgetary savings; 196 hectares of land were brought under sustainable management, including 148 hectares of forested areas; and 21 pasture infrastructure units were constructed. More than 13,000 people have benefited from climate-related initiatives. A network of community journalists was established with the participation of residents from biodiversity-rich communities.

This project was funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Armenia in cooperation with WWF Caucasus offices.

During the press conference, the project achievements and prospects for future cooperation were presented by Ursula Laubli, Deputy Head of Mission of Switzerland and Deputy Regional Director of SDC; Levon Aghasyan, Director of WWF-Armenia; Naire Yeritsyan, Programme Coordinator at WWF-Armenia; Alla Ghazaryan, Programme Coordinator at Strategic Development Agency NGO; and Lusine Gevorgyan, Chair of Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy.

The press conference was immediately followed by the programme’s closing event, attended by Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment; Ursula Laubli, Deputy Head of Mission of Switzerland; Françoise Jacob, UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia; Zara Chatinyan, representative of KfW Development Bank; Levon Aghasyan, Director of WWF-Armenia; Mkrtich Ayvazyan, President of the Strategic Development Agency NGO; as well as representatives of partner organizations, state institutions, beneficiary communities, and media.

November 28, 2025 at 16:08