Today, within the framework of the European Union Local Empowerment of Actors for Development (LEAD) project, an international conference has kicked-off in Yerevan dedicated to exploring opportunities for territorial development in Armenia through the LEADER methodology. 

The objective of the conference is to raise awareness about the LEADER as an innovative tool for territorial development and to encourage the establishment of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in new areas.

Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia,  Asatur Vardanyan, RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Development and Infrastructure, Meri Galstyan, Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on European Integration of the National Assembly of Armenia, Radim Sršeň, Deputy Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic,  and other high-level guests and experts welcomed the participants of the conference.

Expressing her appreciation to the EU for funding the project, Natia Natsvlishvili highlighted in her speech that the LEAD project has created over 250 jobs and supported 160 rural businesses, improving income opportunities and local economic stability. The project has diversified local economies through Local Action Groups and funded about 210 small-scale infrastructure and value-chain projects in Lori and Tavush regions. In addition, the EU LEAD project has supported around 30 educational, cultural, healthcare, and sports initiatives, contributing to the well-being of local stakeholders.

During the event, the results of the EU LEAD project were presented, alongside discussions on integrating the LEADER approach into Armenia’s draft Territorial Development Strategy and sharing the experiences of European countries—including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and Moldova—five years after adopting LEADER.