Collaboration Between Lori Regional Administration and UN Development Program Will Continue

The Governor of Lori, Andrey Ghukasian, Deputy Governor Gayane Markosyan, Head of the Lori Regional Development Programs and Tourism Division Hermina Gasparyan, and Head of the Department of Territorial Administration and Local Government Kamo Ashrafyan held a virtual meeting with the Permanent Representative of the UN Development Program (UNDP) Dmitry Mariyasin and representatives from UNDP and other interested organizations.

The goal of the meeting was to discuss the UNDP's forthcoming program, funded by the European Union, titled "Empowerment of Local Stakeholders in Lori and Tavush Region for Development." This program aims to involve a broad range of stakeholders (local self-governance bodies, territorial governance bodies, business structures, and civil society organizations) in the socio-economic development processes of their communities.

The program will apply approaches from the LEADER program implemented in EU member states, encouraging community representatives to utilize innovative methods and tools in the development of local strategies and prioritization processes.

The regional leader emphasized the importance of the practical application of the program's components and the realization of tangible results as the ultimate goal of the implementation of the initiative in Lori region.

To ensure the effective implementation of the program, the coordination of further issues was entrusted to Gayane Markosyan, who also shared her thoughts regarding the program.

Andrey Ghukasian welcomed the programs implemented by UNDP in the Lori region, highlighting their significance for the region's development. He specifically referred to the importance of the "Enhancing Energy Efficiency of Multi-Apartment Buildings" program, co-funded by UNDP, the state budget, and the community within the framework of sub-grant programs this year.

"This model of cooperation is highly commendable. There is a strong desire that we can implement projects using this model in the agricultural sector as well, directing projects towards the construction of irrigation systems and the acquisition of agricultural machinery to expand cultivated land in communities. Today, more than ever, we emphasize the development of agriculture in the region, considering food security, enhancing the living standards of the population, and the development of communities," Ghukasian said.

Welcoming the voiced considerations, Dmitry Mariyasin noted that they will definitely be taken into account and included in upcoming discussions.