On 24th of October 2024, in the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center SNCO Laboratory, an event, dedicated to the presentation of the “Friends of Sevan” measure’s second phase results, was held. The measure is implemented with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in the framework of the “Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan” (EU4Sevan) project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH as a part of the “ECOserve” programme, and UNDP.
The "Friends of Sevan" project is implemented with the support of the European Union and the German Government funded "Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan" (EU4Sevan) project by the "Environment and Health" NGO. The project aims to raise awareness of the importance of Lake Sevan Protection and ways of anthropogenic pressure reduction on the Lake among children and youth and foster behavioral change to restore the Lake's ecosystem. Within its 2 phases, the project involved youth and schools from 54 settlements of the Gegharkunik region. Different awareness-raising activities were organized in collaboration with the schools from the respective settlements. Within the first phase, the project worked with more than 500 school students and supported the most active ones to form groups and prepare their project ideas for the protection of the Lake. As a result, in the event which took place in December 2022, 5 winning project groups were selected for participation in the project's second phase.
The groups of 25 students and teachers continued learning about the project development and management techniques, as well as receiving coaching and expert support from the field experts to realize their project ideas and start the implementation. Meanwhile, awareness-raising activities were being implemented involving more schools and children from the region.
In his speech, the head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Vasilis Maragos, highlighted the importance of the role of environmental education and youth involvement in behavioral change and preservation of the Lake Sevan ecosystem, expressing hope that similar programs will have a long-term and sustainable impact on environmental protection.
“Environmental education plays an important role in helping us develop a sustainable mindset. It helps develop critical thinking, the ability to analyze and make informed decisions considering the consequences of our behavior on nature. Such education helps us understand the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecosystems for the well-being of all mankind. In addition, environmental education promotes civic involvement and responsibility," said Deputy Minister Aram Meymaryan in his speech and thanked his colleagues for the work done.
During the event, the five project groups presented their project ideas aimed at the protection of the ecosystem of Lake Sevan, elaborated more in the project's second phase due to many training and coaching sessions with various experts. Besides, the “Friends of Sevan” project results will be presented, which will be continued with a study tour inside the laboratories where the participants will be acquainted with water and air monitoring types and methodologies.
The event was attended by the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia H.E. Mr. Vassilis Maragos, RA Deputy Minister of Environment Aram Meymaryan, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mr. Viktor Richter, RA Deputy Environment Minister Aram Meymaryan, GIZ Armenia Country Director Madeleine Rauschenberger, EU4Sevan GIZ Team Leader Christian Henschel.
The Project “Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan” (EU4Sevan) is co-financed by the European Union and the German government. The project is implemented by GIZ within the ECOserve program and UNDP together with the Ministry of Environment of Armenia.
October 25, 2023 at 13:14