Armenia: EU LEAD programme in Lori and Tavush Regions presents its results

The European Union ‘Local Empowerment of Actors for Development in Lori and Tavush Regions’ (EU LEAD) programme held a closing ceremony on 11 December to highlight the results it had achieved over the past five years. 

The event brought together government representatives, Local Action Groups (LAGs), implementing partners and the EU Delegation to Armenia. 

The programme was based on  the EU’s LEADER approach, a bottom-up rural development method where local communities, through Local Action Groups (LAGs), create strategies for economic, social, and environmental growth.

Over the past five years, the programme has supported 196 business and 34 community initiatives in Armenia, created more than 150 new jobs, mobilised thousands of residents, and strengthened the capacity of rural communities across Lori and Tavush.

“The EU LEAD programme is not merely about the implementation of grant initiatives. More than 3,000 people have been trained and capacitated within the programme,” said Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia. 

Beyond these initiatives, five territorial offices essential for the operation of Local Active Groups (LAGs) have been established, furnished, and equipped with modern technologies. The five LAGs were registered as non-governmental organisations, guided by Strategic Action Plans developed and approved through participatory methods.

At the policy level, the programme has made a significant contribution to Armenia’s territorial development planning, UNDP said in a press release. With the programme’s support, the draft Territorial Development Strategy of the Republic of Armenia for 2025-2030 has been developed, in which LAGs are recognised as key actors in ensuring territorial development. The strategy is now in its final approval stage.

Find out more

EU Delegation to Armenia Facebook post

UNDP press release