In 2027, the Armenian government will allocate 13.138 billion AMD to environmental protection. Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan announced this on November 9 during a joint session of the National Assembly’s committees.
The funding will be directed toward the implementation of six environmental programs and 24 measures. Under the 2027 allocations, the Ministry of Environment will receive AMD 2.561 billion less than the amount planned in the 2026 budget.
According to Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan, the reduction is due to the completion of organizational activities related to the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), held in Yerevan from October 19 to 30, 2026, as well as the conclusion of international grant-funded programs.
7.1 Billion AMD for Forest Management, Including 5.6 Billion AMD for Eco-Patrol Service
More than half of the Ministry of Environment’s 2027 budget—AMD 7.1 billion (approximately 54%)—will be allocated to the Forest Management Program.
Of this amount, AMD 5.6 billion, or approximately 79%, will be allocated to supporting the operations of the new agency established under the 2023 Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Eco-Patrol Service. Operational since January 1, 2024, the Eco-Patrol Service is responsible for patrolling forests and specially protected areas to prevent illegal logging, hunting, and forest fires.
The 2026 budget allocated AMD 5.7 billion to the service, meaning that the AMD 5.6 billion earmarked for 2027 will keep funding for the enforcement agency at almost the same level. Recruitment and technical upgrades for the service will continue in 2027.
Meanwhile, the scale of actual afforestation activities remains modest. In 2027, afforestation and reforestation are planned on 65 hectares, along with maintenance of more than 995 hectares of forests established in previous years.
This means that the overwhelming majority of the forest management budget will be spent not on expanding forest cover, but on the costs of the protection and enforcement apparatus.
Lake Sevan, Environmental Monitoring, and Scientific Research
The Minister identified the protection of Lake Sevan’s ecosystem and the restoration of fish stocks as areas requiring special attention. In 2027, 1.2 million juvenile fish will be released into the lake. Management of specially protected natural areas, environmental monitoring, and scientific research will also continue.
Subsidies for Affected Communities
Approximately 494.7 million AMD in subsidies is planned for 10 affected communities. The funds will be directed toward greening initiatives, the introduction of renewable energy and water-saving systems, and healthcare measures.
The 2026 budget allocated 686 million AMD to 17 affected communities. Thus, both the number of beneficiary communities and the total amount of funding will decrease in 2027.
The Minister stated that the main objective is to ensure the targeted and efficient use of funds, turning each program into a “tangible result.” However, the structure of the 2027 budget indicates that funding for the enforcement apparatus remains the priority in the forestry sector, while allocations to affected communities are declining.
November 10, 2026 at 12:09