The development of socio-ecological policy is in the active stage ahead of the socio-economic and environmental development of Martuni and Vardenis consolidated communities in Gegharkunik Region. The preliminary draft of the policy was presented to the representatives of Vardenis and Martuni local self-government bodies and residents in the course of the roundtable discussion held on March 29, 2022 in the office of Martuni Women's Community Council NGO in Martuni consolidated community. The purpose of the discussion was to gather stakeholder comments and suggestions for policy improvement and revision.
The speakers of the round table were as follows: Anahit Gevorgyan - President of "Martuni Women's Community Council" NGO, Oleg Dulgaryan - President of " Center for Community Consolidation and Support" NGO, Inga Zarafyan - President of "EcoLur" Information NGO, Nazeli Vardanyan - Director of "Forests of Armenia" NGO, Vice President of “Union of Community Financiers” NGO, Abraham Artashesyan - Expert of “Social and Ecological Responsibility” project, Roza Julhakyan - expert, Martin Petrosyan - Head of Department for Agriculture and Nature Protection in Gegharkunik Regional Municipality.
In her opening remarks, Anahit Gevorgyan noted that the development of socio-ecological policy is aimed at creating equal development opportunities for ecologically vulnerable communities. “The goal of the project is to understand how to mitigate the risks of mines or hydropower plants operating in communities so that the community can develop. We have collected information, but we are also waiting for your suggestions," she said.
Oleg Dulgaryan said, “As a result of this pilot project implemented in Gegharkunik, Lori and Syuniq regions in Armenia, today we have a document that reflects the problems of the residents of vulnerable communities and local governments. The role of socio-environmental policy is not only to identify these problems, but also to find solutions to both them within the framework of the community budget and local financial flows.”
Inga Zarafyan mentioned that in the process of collecting data on socio-ecological risks, problems and priorities in the communities, many problems have been revealed, which, however, need to be amended and supplemented. "This discussion should be about the data collected so that we can understand what issues and gaps we have in socio-environmental policy, what we can do with that data and that policy, when the community accepts it, and how the community will benefit from this program."
Abraham Artashesyan mentioned that from the view point of sustainable development of the community, the social and environmental risks will question the future of those communities. This project will probably be the only one that will try to connect all the spheres. "It is necessary to understand what the main emphases of the project will be, which measures will work most effectively in the five-year community development programs, and which will need to be involved in order to get results," he said.
Nazeli Vardanyan presented the first results of the analysis of RA legislative field related to socio-ecological policy. In particular, the policy includes relevant articles of RA Constitution, RA mining, RA water, RA land, RA forest, RA tax codes, as well as a number of laws related to the sphere and RA Government decisions.
Nazeli Vardanyan noted that the residents of the beneficiary communities took part in the survey individually giving their preferences to the issues, whereas the local self-government bodies took part individually. However, as she noted the interesting thing is that there are many coincidences in the priorities of the proposals and problems presented by the local self-government and the residents in Vardenis. On the other hand, the picture is the opposite in Martuni.
Getting acquainted with the project, Martin Petrosyan noted that Vardenis consolidated community is ready to implement the reforms implemented for the development of ecological and socio-economic policy in its five-year development programs, so that the ecological damages are mitigated as much as possible, the community develops proportionately, whereas incurred damage are compensated.
According to Martin Petrosyan, the introduction of the policy will not face obstacles in the communities, as at present both young and experienced specialists in the field of agriculture and environment are involved in the staffs of the consolidated communities. "We have that potential in the community - educated youth, knowledge of experienced specialists, so that not only five-year programs, but also long-term development programs are realistic, they can work in such a way that the community develops," he said.
Piruza Manukyan, the representative of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, the coordinator of "Social and Ecological Responsibility" project, mentioned that the collected large-scale information is the result of huge-scale work.
Roza Julhakyan referred to RA laws regulating the provision of possible financial sources. "There are two main laws in our legislation that oblige an operating company to allocate a certain amount of money to the community. Now the profit from the sale of metal ores to the royalties has increased, which must be directed to the solution of socio-ecological problems, for which a program must be submitted.
The next source is non-metallic mines, which also have to fulfill their socio-economic obligations for the community under their soil management contract. The law was passed in 2012, but non-metallic mines do not have those social obligations. TAI should be forced to review soil management agreements.
The third is about the targeted use of environmental fees. The money is collected at the treasury and then returned to the community. But very often these programs are of a formal nature.
It would be right for communities to have preliminary sketches of environmental projects so that the projects can be implemented purposefully. Anush Poghosyan, co-chair of "Right to Health" NGO, mentioned that it is necessary to refer to the health issues as well in the socio-ecological policy.
Artush Khachatryan, a Vardenik village resident, a representative of "Community Pulse" NGO, presented the participants the experience of effective use of financial investments received from "Vardenik" SHPP in Vardenik Community, due to which they develop their settlement.
Vardan Galstyan, a member of "SOS Argitchi" initiative group, a Verin Getashen community resident, referred to the non-expediency and ineffectiveness of the implemented projects. According to Vardan Galstyan, it is necessary to create a Verin Getashen fund in order to develop the settlement.
Khazhak Mkrtchyan, a representative of Vardenis consolidated community, highly appreciating the work carried ou within the framework of the project, noted: “Everything that is talked about, what is initiated, the main part of it will be implemented, if it has a legal nature, and the legislature will accept it. "We must promote these drafts in the National Assembly so that they can be enforced by law," he said.
April 01, 2022 at 15:40