UNDP and the Izmirlian Foundation sign cooperation agreement to join efforts in favour of the development of rural communities

Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia and the Izmirlian Foundation announced a new phase in their partnership directed toward economic and cultural development of rural communities in Armenia.

UNDP and Izmirlian foundation are already working together in the town of Meghri in Southern Armenia, and with this agreement the parties will continue and expand their work.

As part of it, the local Crafts Center will be renovated and revitalized, to generate employment opportunities in this region. Also, the local church's old and beautiful frescoes will be protected by renovating its roof, as they are being depleted because of rain and snow. And the major component of the project will be the organization of the garbage system of the town by providing the needed machinery and equipment.

This project is a continuation of an earlier initiative of UNDP and Izmirlian Foundation - the establishment of Bed-and-breakfast Guesthouse in Meghri city. Then, a XIX century cottage house has been reconstructed into a small hotel facility fostering the region's potential for ethno-tourism development. In this way, a small tourist route will be enabled.

Other projects are being discussed by the two institutions, to continue supporting towns and rural villages of Armenia, particularly supporting projects that enhance local development and job creation opportunities.

Syunik marz is located in the South of Armenia. The city of Meghri is one of the southernmost parts of Armenia. It is situated on the lower part of the Fortress of Meghri, in a large slope. Due to its location in the beautiful highlands of the Armenian south and the availability of various historical-cultural monuments, the city of Meghri has the potential of becoming a center of tourism if the corresponding infrastructures are developed.

In the long run, development of tourism will contribute to sustainable economic development and improvement of the welfare of the community residents through creation of employment in the sphere of tourist services.

The Lesser District of Meghri presents an open-air museum of folk architecture, and this district is especially valuable because a section of the settlement has been preserved up to now. The church to be renovated is also located in this district.

By renovating and revitalizing the Crafts Center, UNDP And Izmirlian Foundation aim to contribute to the reduction of unemployment in this remote community, especially among young people. The Crafts Center will become a training facility that will prepare a variety of crafts people, and this will also conduce to the development of Meghri as a tourism center.

The overall project budget for this phase is USD 155,000. The beneficiaries of the project are the population of Meghri (12,200 people).

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