Culture Against the Crisis: summary of projects 2022

09.01.2023 — Article Armenia
In April 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) in Armenia launched its "Arts and Culture Against the Crisis" campaign, in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 War. In the firm belief that artists play a valuable role in helping people to process their experiences through creativity and encounters with others, the SCO AM called for creative and innovative project proposals, which would contribute to the development of contemporary arts in Armenia. 

Switzerland approves CHF 960’000 in aid for resilience and economic recovery of border communities in Armenia

28.11.2022 — Press release Armenia
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC has approved CHF 960’000 in aid for Armenia to improve border communities' resilience towards crisis situations. Partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) for implementation, Switzerland provides immediate humanitarian and long-term economic support to Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik with the “Resilience and Economic Recovery of Border Communities in Armenia – REBCA” project.

Armenia‘s territorial reform and decentralization – Step by step to success

15.11.2022 — Article Armenia
With two events in Dilijan for municipalities in the North and in Goris for the South, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure MTAI, together with the implementing partner GIZ, shared experiences on day-to-day efforts and progress of the ongoing Local Self-Governance project (LSG).

Call for Proposals: Local backstopper as facilitator – Recruitment

15.11.2022 — Article Armenia
Switzerland, together with Austria and Germany, launched the main phase of the "Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia" MAVETA project to assist the Government of Armenia to reform the vocational education system in Armenia in agriculture. The intervention aims to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals and graduates in agriculture and related fields. Thus, the project will contribute to sustainable, climate friendly, inclusive growth, increased incomes and enhanced (self)-employment in rural Armenia.

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC on socio-economic and environmental aspects of “Hospitality Education Management Academy in Armenia”

07.11.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Programme Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study on socio-environmental benefits of establishing the “Hospitality Education Management Academy in Armenia”. 

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC future Governance project (2022-2032) in Armenia

04.11.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study dedicated to the preparation of a multi-annual project Democratic Institutions and Innovative Policy-Making in Armenia (tentative title).

CHF 8.3 mln. for professional education in agriculture in Armenia: Switzerland joins forces with Austria and Germany

27.09.2022 — Press release Armenia
On September 27, 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Armenia organized the launch event of the long-term development project "Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia 2022-2025 - MAVETA". 

Arts and Culture Against the Crisis

26.08.2022 — Article Armenia
In April 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Armenia SCO called for creative and innovative project proposals, which contribute to the development of contemporary arts in Armenia in the aftermath of the twofold crisis of the 2020 War and the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that artists have a valuable role in speaking up for culture, in championing the place of culture, and in helping people make sense of their experiences through creativity and collective encounters of shared experience.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2023-2024 for Armenian Scholars

10.08.2022 — Article Armenia
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. The awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), selects recipients. All disciplines taught in the mentioned Universities are accepted, except artistic disciplines.

1st of August address of the President of the Swiss Confederation

28.07.2022 — Local news Armenia

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC future Climate Change project (2022-2032) in Armenia

30.06.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study dedicated to the preparation of a multi-annual project Better governance and private sector development for Climate change resilience in Armenia (tentative title).

Call for Consultancy Applications: Mid-term evaluation of SDC governance project in Armenia

28.06.2022 — Press release Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus announces a call for consultancy applications for conducting a mid-term evaluation of the second phase of the Program “Improvement of the Local Self-Governance System in Armenia”.

Switzerland approves CHF 960’000 in aid for resilience and economic recovery of border communities in Armenia

28.11.2022 — Press release Armenia
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC has approved CHF 960’000 in aid for Armenia to improve border communities' resilience towards crisis situations. Partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) for implementation, Switzerland provides immediate humanitarian and long-term economic support to Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik with the “Resilience and Economic Recovery of Border Communities in Armenia – REBCA” project.

CHF 8.3 mln. for professional education in agriculture in Armenia: Switzerland joins forces with Austria and Germany

27.09.2022 — Press release Armenia
On September 27, 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Armenia organized the launch event of the long-term development project "Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia 2022-2025 - MAVETA". 

Call for Consultancy Applications: Mid-term evaluation of SDC governance project in Armenia

28.06.2022 — Press release Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus announces a call for consultancy applications for conducting a mid-term evaluation of the second phase of the Program “Improvement of the Local Self-Governance System in Armenia”.

Swiss development project worth CHF 12’000’000 to reach most remote farmers in Armenia

27.05.2022 — Press release Armenia
On May 27, 2022, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC approved a grant worth CHF 12’000’000 for an economic development intervention in Armenia and launched an international tender process to identify an implementing partner. Titled “Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Mountainous Armenia” SIGMA, this new SDC project will reduce poverty in mountainous areas of Armenia in an inclusive, innovative and climate-aware manner. With a duration of 10 years, SIGMA’s geographic focus will be on the poorest regions in Northern Armenia, reaching areas at an altitude of more than 1500m.

Combining economic growth and nature protection in Armenia: Switzerland launches multi-annual project with CHF 4.500.000

04.04.2022 — Press release Armenia
On April 4, 2022, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC approved an amount of CHF 4’500’000 for an earlier announced project “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia”. The project will assist Armenia to combine in an innovative manner nature conservation and economic growth to the benefit of those most in need. The project is implemented by the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Strategic Development Agency NGO as a part of a broader regional program Eco-Corridor Fund for the Caucasus (ECF).   

New Swiss Cooperation Programme for the South Caucasus Region 2022-2025: doubled budget for Armenia

09.12.2021 — Press release Armenia
On December 9, 2021, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia Stefan Kloetzli, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia and equally Deputy Regional Director of Swiss Cooperation South Caucasus Werner Thut informed the media about the new Swiss Cooperation Programme for the South Caucasus Region 2022-2025. The Programme describes the objectives, which Switzerland’s International Cooperation aims to achieve in the South Caucasus. In Armenia, the budget of the new Programme will be doubled, amounting to tentatively over CHF 20 mio over the course of four years.

Switzerland launches reform project - CHF 7’130’000 for the modernization of Vocational Education System in Agriculture of Armenia

03.12.2021 — Press release Armenia
On December 3, 2021, Switzerland launches a long-term development project to assist Armenia in its efforts of modernizing its Vocational Education System in agriculture. The Swiss Development Cooperation approved in principle a support program to Armenia with a total amount of CHF 7’130’000. The project is carried by a unique alliance of international and local development actors, as well as public and private sectors, which will also mobilize additional funds. The reform will be implemented by the Swiss NGO HEKS, the Armenian NGO SDA as well as the German Corporation for International Cooperation GIZ, under the overall coordination of the Government of Armenia.

Call for proposals

28.06.2021 — Press release Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) for the South Caucasus is calling for proposals by Non-Governmental Organizations - NGOs (CSOs and foundations registered in Armenia; academia) to strengthen the civil society, to widen the civic space, as well as to deepen and expand knowledge in the priority areas of media, environment and migration. 

Switzerland Supports Democracy through Fair Elections in Armenia

10.06.2021 — Press release Armenia
On June 10, 2021, Switzerland decided to assist the Republic of Armenia in further enhancing its electoral system and strengthening democracy, rule of law and human rights in the country. The Government of Switzerland approved a grant worth of CHF 300’000 in view of a project, which will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This Swiss intervention is part of a broader UNDP Electoral Support Project in Armenia, which strives to encourage the authorities and participants to ensure that the pre-term parliamentary elections on 20 June meet or exceed the high standards set in 2018. 

Switzerland allocates CHF 4.500.000 to Armenia for nature protection and economic development

15.04.2021 — Press release Armenia
On April 15, 2021, Switzerland launched a new development intervention to assist the Republic of Armenia in its efforts regarding nature conservation and economic development. The Government of Switzerland approved in principle a grant worth of CHF 4’500’000 for the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” project. In close cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), this project will be implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as a part of a broader regional program Eco-Corridor Fund for the Caucasus (ECF).   

Switzerland Supports OSCE Anti-Corruption Efforts in Armenia

08.12.2020 — Press release Armenia
On December 1, 2020, Switzerland joined ongoing anti-corruption efforts to support the Republic of Armenia in the implementation of its reform agenda to strengthen rule of law, human rights and economic development. The Government of Switzerland approved a grant worth of EUR 374’880 in view of a two-year project “Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia”, which will be implemented by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in close collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The project is part of a broader OSCE program “Strengthening anti-corruption reform in Armenia”.

Switzerland and Germany to Extend Support to Municipalities of Armenia in Response to COVID-19

18.11.2020 — Press release Armenia
Early in October 2020, the Governments of Switzerland and Germany decided to extend their support to the municipalities of Armenia in addressing challenges to local economic development in times of COVID-19. In the context of the ongoing “Improvement of the local self-governance system Armenia” programme, additional funds amounting to CHF 460,000 will be committed to the municipalities for the delivery of public services to the population in a more efficient and participatory manner. 

Culture Against the Crisis: summary of projects 2022

09.01.2023 — Article Armenia
In April 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) in Armenia launched its "Arts and Culture Against the Crisis" campaign, in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 War. In the firm belief that artists play a valuable role in helping people to process their experiences through creativity and encounters with others, the SCO AM called for creative and innovative project proposals, which would contribute to the development of contemporary arts in Armenia. 

Armenia‘s territorial reform and decentralization – Step by step to success

15.11.2022 — Article Armenia
With two events in Dilijan for municipalities in the North and in Goris for the South, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure MTAI, together with the implementing partner GIZ, shared experiences on day-to-day efforts and progress of the ongoing Local Self-Governance project (LSG).

Call for Proposals: Local backstopper as facilitator – Recruitment

15.11.2022 — Article Armenia
Switzerland, together with Austria and Germany, launched the main phase of the "Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia" MAVETA project to assist the Government of Armenia to reform the vocational education system in Armenia in agriculture. The intervention aims to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals and graduates in agriculture and related fields. Thus, the project will contribute to sustainable, climate friendly, inclusive growth, increased incomes and enhanced (self)-employment in rural Armenia.

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC on socio-economic and environmental aspects of “Hospitality Education Management Academy in Armenia”

07.11.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Programme Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study on socio-environmental benefits of establishing the “Hospitality Education Management Academy in Armenia”. 

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC future Governance project (2022-2032) in Armenia

04.11.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study dedicated to the preparation of a multi-annual project Democratic Institutions and Innovative Policy-Making in Armenia (tentative title).

Arts and Culture Against the Crisis

26.08.2022 — Article Armenia
In April 2022, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Armenia SCO called for creative and innovative project proposals, which contribute to the development of contemporary arts in Armenia in the aftermath of the twofold crisis of the 2020 War and the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that artists have a valuable role in speaking up for culture, in championing the place of culture, and in helping people make sense of their experiences through creativity and collective encounters of shared experience.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2023-2024 for Armenian Scholars

10.08.2022 — Article Armenia
Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. The awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), selects recipients. All disciplines taught in the mentioned Universities are accepted, except artistic disciplines.

1st of August address of the President of the Swiss Confederation

28.07.2022 — Local news Armenia

Call for Proposals: Feasibility Study for SDC future Climate Change project (2022-2032) in Armenia

30.06.2022 — Article Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus Office in Armenia, announces a call for proposals for conducting a feasibility study dedicated to the preparation of a multi-annual project Better governance and private sector development for Climate change resilience in Armenia (tentative title).

Call for Arts and Culture project proposals

25.04.2022 — Local news Armenia
The Swiss Cooperation Office (SCO) in Armenia announces a call for proposals for small projects in the field of contemporary arts. The call intends to issue funding for creative and innovative projects, which contribute to the development of contemporary arts in the Republic of Armenia, in the aftermath of the twofold crisis of the 2020 War and the COVID-19 pandemic.  The proposed projects shall address current socio-cultural and socio-economic issues faced by the Armenian population in the midst of regional instability, as artistic contributions to a public debate on Armenia’s immediate future. The SCO believes that artists after the twofold crisis have a valuable role in speaking up for culture, in championing the place of culture, and in helping people make sense of their experiences through creativity and collective encounters of shared experience. 

"Leave No One Behind" – in focus of Swiss engagement

08.03.2022 — Article Armenia

(Part 2, Armenia)

With the adoption of the Agenda 2030 in 2015, Switzerland pledged to "endeavour to reach the furthest behind first". The principle of ‘leave no one behind’ has been since pursued in all Swiss projects the world over. The Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus has started  a new series of articles dedicated to its efforts to tackle multidimensional poverty in rural areas of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

SDC project “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia”: completion and bridge into the future

16.12.2021 — Article Armenia
On 16 December, 2021, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC closed its “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” flagship project, together with its implementing partner organization the Strategic Development Agency SDA NGO. After six years of implementation in the southernmost regions of Armenia, Syunik and Vayots Dzor, the project achieved outstanding results on market, farm and social levels.