The Reconstructed Potable Water Network Launched in Yervandashat Community

On October 1, 2008 .the potable water network has been officially put in operation in the rural community of Yervandashat, Armavir region. The full reconstruction of the network was carried out due to the joint efforts of the United Nations Development Programme, the Children of Armenia Fund and Yervandashat municipality.

As a result of the joint project implementation, it was made possible to rehabilitate 7.5 kilometers of the potable water pipeline, to construct a daily regulation reservoir at the capacity of 150 cubic meters along with a chlorination station and to repair the worn-out pump station. The project beneficiaries are 204 households of the rural community who now receive clean drinking water round the clock. The regular supply of potable water also provides an opportunity for the community households to distinctly improve their hygienic conditions.

UNDP entered Yervandashat in early 2006 to help the community identify the needs and opportunities for recovery and progress. As a result of the participatory prioritization process, an integrated community development plan for 2006-2008 was produced and approved at the community's General Assembly. UNDP has also addressed the urgent need for community's mobilization around social activities. With counseling and guidance from UNDP, Yervandashat Development Center - the first and only non-governmental organization was created in the village in 2006. The Center was formed by local activists with an aim to join young people and women around cultural and social events as well as to integrate the community in the public life. Among other activities, Yervandashat Development Center took the lead of publishing of a first ever periodical titled "Yervandashat", which has been issued quarterly since December 2006. In cooperation with the community, UNDP has also installed a dried fruit vacuum packaging workshop to support the revival of the local private sector and creation of new jobs. This income generation project is implemented through a leasing mechanism based on paying back the cost of equipment by covering the newspaper publication expenses.