To care for ourselves we must care for nature. In recent years, environmental issues have been at the forefront with people around the globe taking action to help reverse damaging trends. Here in Armenia, we work with many environmental organizations whose goals include promoting sustainable development and ethical environmental practices, and creating food and agribusiness leaders through state-of-the-art education programs and cutting-edge research. AVC’s partner base is constantly expanding and we wanted to share some of our exciting opportunities here in Armenia!
Meet two new “green” partners
One new partner, My Agrovillage, focuses on creating natural developmental opportunities for rural communities in Armenia. They promote and share “rural good” while offering ethical and responsible outdoor and agricultural experiences and services to children and adults.
Also new to the AVC partner list is Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), a state-run higher educational institution based in Yerevan with branches in the regions. Established in 1930, it is one of the oldest universities in Armenia. ANAU is the country’s only agrarian, technological and research university that trains and prepares specialists for the broad agricultural sphere. The institution also owns agricultural labs, greenhouses, a winery, as well as a smart animal farm and veterinary clinic.
Meet a volunteer contributing to a “greener” Armenia
Philomene Chivard, 23, (France) came to Armenia in September 2019, armed with passion and creativity. During her seven-month volunteering experience, she worked two days a week with our partner Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development of Communities (ISSD), and her example of involvement should motivate many more people who wonder how they can make a difference. “They are tackling a lot of environmental issues simultaneously like recycling and sorting waste, nature ambassadorships in cities, helping festivals to improve their environmental impact, biodiesel, providing children of border communities with playgrounds, and helping people grow their own culinary herbs.
Volunteering with them made me understand all the work that’s needed in Armenia. My background in communications and graphic design enabled me to get involved in so many different things. For example, I helped to modernize the materials and tools they use to raise awareness among children, I assisted in one of the trainings and reported on how to use games during these sessions, I also did all the visuals for a new app they are planning – a little game on how to sort waste. But that’s not all; they allowed me to design news looks for their sorting bins, I appeared in their promotional video, and I tried to help them implement the sorting bins in French companies and organizations. Hopefully soon, the French Embassy will lead the way.”
If you’re looking to make a positive impact in the second half of 2020 or sometime in the near future, you can apply to our program today. Your application is valid for a whole year.