Fighting Climate Change Through Local Assets and Youth Leadership

Arbat Village, Ararat Region: “Supporting the Development of a Clean and Sustainable Environment in the Masis Consolidated Community” project was developed collaboratively by ArmeniaCorps participants from Azatashen, Arbat, Khachpar, and Hayanist villages within the framework of the “ArmeniaCorps” Development Initiative and funded through the US DOS Public Diplomacy Section grant.

Its main objective was to increase the environmental awareness and responsibility of school-aged children in these areas, thereby promoting the creation and preservation of a clean environment in the Masis community and contributing to global efforts to address climate change.

The project organized courses in the schools of the four settlements, providing more than 500 students with information on the importance of loving nature and their homeland, keeping the environment clean, and preserving it. They also learned about the potential hazards of mismanagement of waste, explored ways to sort and process it and participated in practical activities such as cleaning their settlements. In addition, paper and plastic waste sorting boxes were installed in schools, and the sorted waste transported to recycling plants.

Overall, the project aimed to encourage schoolchildren in these localities to understand and appreciate the importance of creating and maintaining a clean environment, both in theory and practice. By doing so, the project contributed to the promotion of sustainable living and environmental protection.

The project demonstrated how asset-based, youth-led initiatives can advance Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to climate action, quality education, and sustainable communities.

We express our gratitude to all our partners, including local authorities, school administrations, the local population, and “Makrapatum” Environmental-Educational NGO, for their productive cooperation.