Resilient Syunik: Team Europe boosts sustainable progress

The budget for the Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative over five years amounts to approximately €200 million, of which €65 million are grants and €135 million are loan funds.

Representatives from the EU Delegation to Armenia told reporters during a media tour in Syunik that the stated amount includes funds already disbursed and those planned for future allocation.

The main objective of Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative is to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region. In particular, it aims to contribute to; Improved business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enhanced private sector competitiveness; Improved access to high quality, people-centric public services; Prioritised green regional development and increased protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity.

According to data provided by the implementing organizations, in Syunik last year alone, 52 jobs were created or preserved (95 in total since 2023). Twenty new SMEs and startups were established (56 in total since 2023), and 80 SMEs and other businesses received support (123 in total since 2023). A total of 3,204 people benefited from vocational education and skills development programs (3,363 in total since 2023). Ten new or improved local services have been introduced (23 in total since 2023), and 48 new educational initiatives received support (68 in total since 2023). Twenty-two community infrastructures have been rebuilt or restored (56 in total since 2023). Energy-efficient solutions have been implemented in 281 households, and 2,891 farmers have received assistance (3,101 in total since 2023). Sustainable management practices cover 884.47 hectares of agricultural land and 15 natural resources (38 in total since 2023). Improved social infrastructure and services have benefited 24,237 people (26,373 in total since 2023).

The “Resilient Syunik Team Europe” initiative is a joint effort by the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and EU member countries Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, as well as partner country Switzerland. The initiative aims to promote the sustainable socio-economic development of Armenia’s Syunik region.