The climate crisis is a child rights crisis, as climate change and its consequences impact no one as profoundly as children and adolescents, especially the most vulnerable. Children and adolescents living in poverty are even more exposed to external shocks, leading to multiple vulnerabilities that require comprehensive and integrated solutions.

Armenia’s climate conditions are expected to change over the next century, making it crucial to take action now to mitigate climate change and promote behavioral change. Children and adolescents can and do serve as agents of change worldwide.

The sub-grant component implemented in the Tavush and Lori regions is carried out by the “Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO in collaboration with UNICEF within the framework of the “Adolescents as Agents for Climate Change in Their Communities” program.

PROJECT AIM

The long-term goal of the program is for adolescent girls and boys, along with their communities, to take action to mitigate climate change, adapt to its effects, and reduce its impact. This will be achieved through education, early warning systems, strengthening local governance bodies, and developing human and institutional capacities, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national and UN development priorities.

The final outcome of the program is for adolescents to become implementers of actions and solutions aimed at mitigating climate change, contributing to the creation of socially and environmentally sustainable communities in Armenia.

SUB-GRANT PROVISION CONDITIONS

The sub-grant component of the program will be implemented in the Tavush region, covering the communities of Ijevan, Noyemberyan, and Berd, along with their respective settlements.

The sub-grant component of the program will also be implemented in the Lori region, covering the communities of Alaverdi, Akhtala, Tumanyan, Vanadzor, Shnogh, Stepanavan, Gyulagarak, Lermontovo, Lori Berd, and Fioletovo, along with their respective settlements.

ELIGIBILITY OF THE SUB-GRANT RECIPIENT

To be eligible for this sub-grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Component 1:

  • Only municipal administrative institutions are eligible to apply.
  • A public discussion on the proposed project must be conducted, ensuring the participation of adolescents/youth. A meeting minutes document must be prepared and attached to the application.
  • Municipalities may also submit project proposals developed by community initiative groups. In such cases, an official signature sheet from the initiative group (as per Annex 3) must be attached to the application.
  • Public discussion is not mandatory for project proposals initiated by community groups.
  • Each municipality may submit up to three project proposals, which must be implemented in different settlements within the community.

Component 2:

  • Only the following entities operating in the target communities are eligible to apply:
    • Secondary, basic, and high schools
    • Other state and municipal non-commercial organizations
    • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations that have been officially registered in the respective community (settlement) for at least two years.
  • NGOs and foundations must attach supporting documentation regarding projects implemented in the last two years, such as contracts, reports, or other relevant documents.

ELIGIBILITY OF THE SUB-GRANT PROJECT

The programs may include the following sectors/themes and contribute to the engagement of youth/adolescents:

  • Agriculture
  • Human health
  • Water resources
  • Settlements and infrastructure
  • Energy
  • Tourism
  • Ecosystems
  • Environmental protection
  • Education
  • Youth
  • Culture and sports
  • Local self-government and community participation

THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED

UNICEF will allocate a maximum amount of 3,390,000 AMD (three million three hundred ninety thousand dram) for each program. Co-financing of the projects by communities and organizations up to 10% is encouraged. Co-financing can include both financial and non-financial contributions.

Starting from October 1 of this year, 17 grant-based programs have been launched in the Tavush and Lori regions. The brief descriptions of these programs are presented below:

“Green Energy”

Location: Berd Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Tavush Charity Foundation
The program aims to implement environmental awareness initiatives on green energy, climate change, and its prevention among 500 adolescents/youth aged 12-30 in 17 communities of the Berd Consolidated Community, through 20 trained young people. It also involves installing solar panels within the foundation’s premises, printing and distributing visibility materials to the public.

“Eco-Education and Digital Literacy Autumn Camp in Noyemberyan Community”

Location: Noyemberyan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Young Journalists Association NGO
The program aims to organize a 6-day eco-education and digital literacy camp for 20 youth from 19 settlements in Noyemberyan Consolidated Community. Camp participants will prepare 10 multimedia content pieces on climate-related issues, a video on the program’s implementation, and engage in an “Eco-Orientation” quest game.

“Water Conservation for a Green and Resilient Community”

Location: Lchikazor Settlement, Noyemberyan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Lchikazor Secondary School
The program intends to raise awareness of climate change among young people and adults in Lchikazor and surrounding settlements and create a modern rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation system to water trees planted in the area. At least 25 youth will be trained, with 5 of them using the “Students Teach” methodology to conduct lessons for other adults and school staff.

“Renovation of School Fence and Water Supply, Courtyard Landscaping”

Location: Sarigyugh Settlement, Ijevan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Sarigyugh Secondary School
The program aims to renovate the school’s fence, install a water collection tank, place trash bins in the courtyard, and implement awareness-raising initiatives.

“Partial Paving and Drainage of Street No. 4 in Ditavan Village”

Location: Ditavan Settlement, Ijevan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Ditavan Kindergarten
The program plans to partially pave Street No. 4 in Ditavan and repair and drain an impassable section with an 8-degree slope, making the street accessible for children attending kindergarten and school. This area is in poor condition due to recurring mudslides and floods.

“Youth Against Community Climate Vulnerability”

Location: Alaverdi Consolidated Community, Alaverdi Town, and Pokr Ayrum Settlement, Lori Region
Implementer: Community Consolidation and Support Center NGO
The program aims to train 30 youth from Alaverdi community on climate change and environmental conservation, organize a competition for climate adaptation projects, and raise awareness among the population through campaigns.

“Lori Youth as Eco-Environment Ambassadors for a Favorable Climate”

Location: Stepanavan and Gyulagarak Consolidated Communities, Lori Region
Implementer: “KAMK” Lori Youth Programs Center NGO
The program plans to organize an eco-school for 60 youth from Stepanavan and Gyulagarak communities, preparing them as eco-ambassadors who will conduct eco-awareness days. The project will include an “Eco-Challenge” video competition and intellectual games in schools, the creation of 2 social informational videos, and 2 informational “talking” signs.

“Climate Resilient Kurtan”

Location: Gyulagarak Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Kurtan Secondary School
The program involves the engagement of 40 adolescents, 113 students (ages 6-12), and 5 teachers from Kurtan Secondary School in initiatives promoting climate change adaptation. It includes the creation of a 100-meter protective tree belt and the organization of a 3-day “Climate Awareness” workshop-eco-camp to design a park plan with an ecosystem-based approach.

“Shamlugh Green School”

Location: Shamlugh Settlement, Alaverdi Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Shamlugh Secondary School
The program aims to replace the school windows with energy-efficient windows to ensure energy conservation and implement awareness-raising initiatives among learners.

“Solar Photovoltaic Station Construction”

Location: Noyemberyan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Noyemberyan Municipality
The program plans to install photovoltaic systems in a community-building offering educational services for children and youth, reducing air and water pollution and saving financial resources.

“Green Playground Construction”

Location: Ijevan Town, Tavush Region
Implementer: Ijevan Municipality
The program involves the construction of a fenced playground in the Spandaryan neighborhood of Ijevan, with play attractions, solar-powered street lights, trash bins, benches, landscaping, and awareness-raising initiatives. The program will benefit around 3500 residents of the mentioned neighborhood.

“Tree Planting in Darpas Settlement”

Location: Darpas Settlement, Vanadzor Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Vanadzor Municipality
The program will plant trees along the road leading to the Darpas settlement and the adjacent cemetery area for safe traffic flow and raise awareness among youth and children on disaster risk reduction through training.

“Green Alaverdi”

Location: Alaverdi Town, Alaverdi Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Alaverdi Municipality
The program aims to engage youth and children in tree planting in Alaverdi to mitigate climate change through the establishment of a canopy of dense trees.

“Youth Park in Dsegh”

Location: Dsegh Settlement, Tumanyan Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Tumanyan Municipality
The program plans to install new walkways, trash bins, and tables in the park adjacent to Hovhannes Tumanyan’s statue, renovate benches, and conduct discussions on climate change and risks, along with distributing awareness leaflets.

“Solar Energy for Warm Smiles of Children”

Location: Akori Settlement, Alaverdi Consolidated Community, Lori Region
Implementer: Lori Development Center NGO
The program plans to install a solar photovoltaic system in a community-building that provides educational services to over 100 children in Akori, replace light fixtures, and carry out awareness initiatives among beneficiaries.

“Drink and Save”

Location: Noyemberyan Consolidated Community, Tavush Region
Implementer: Noyemberyan Community Development and Investment Fund
The program will install drinking water sensor faucets in 10 schools in Noyemberyan Consolidated Community, providing clean water for students, and implement awareness-raising initiatives on drinking water conservation and climate adaptation among learners.

“Creation of a Network of Agro-Eco Centers for Climate Change Mitigation in Residential Schools”

Location: Lori Berd Consolidated Community (Lori Berd, Lejan, Agarak, Yaghdan, Koghes, Bovadzor, Urrut, Sverdlov), Lori Region
Implementer: “Argina” Cultural NGO
The program aims to create a network of agro-eco centers in residential schools in Lori Berd community to support climate change mitigation.

The “Adolescents as agents for climate change in their communities” program is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by UNICEF, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia. The program is coordinated with consolidated communities, regional administrations, schools, teachers, and youth.