Posted on June, 03 2025

The event brought together participants from all LILA target regions — Tavush, Lori, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik — including project partners, representatives of local self-governing bodies, and NGOs involved in project implementation.

The gathering provided an opportunity for both reflection and exchange through two featured sessions:

In the morning session, LILA project coordinators presented the results achieved across both environmental and economic outcomes — from improvements in infrastructure and pasture management to the development of sustainable tourism and community-based conservation efforts.

The afternoon session created space for voices from the ground. Participants from the target communities shared their own experiences — how the project has helped to transform local opportunities, strengthen livelihoods, and reshape how nature is perceived and valued at the community level.

Throughout the day, the event clearly demonstrated the close link between nature conservation and sustainable community development — a principle at the heart of the LILA project’s approach.

In his closing remarks, Levon Aghasyan, Director of WWF-Armenia, summed up this vision: “Alleviating the economic burden of communities will put less pressure on nature. Thus, nature conservation is impossible without sustainable community development.”

WWF-Armenia extends sincere thanks to all partners and beneficiaries for helping make LILA a truly community-driven project — one that connects environmental goals with tangible benefits for people.

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The Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and is implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with Strategic Development Agency NGO.