“Young beneficiaries of the EU4Youth project successfully participated in the Harvest Festival 2020”

The Green Lane NGO organized and implemented the annual Rural Life Traditions Festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival) for six years in a row, the main goal of which was to promote sustainable development of agriculture and rural communities in Armenia. The festival is a unique platform where farmers, producers, buyers, various organizations and potential investors meet for mutual cooperation and experiences sharing. In addition, the Festival provides an opportunity for participants to present the culture and traditions of Armenians, national minorities in Armenia and different nations.

The Festival was held on September 26-27, Y2020. Taking into account the global pandemic restrictions in the country, the festival was held in the open air at the Green Training Center’s area (1ha) in Dzoraghbyur settlement, where all the necessary conditions were created to comply with all safety rules.

The Festival was organized by the Green Lane NGO and Government of Armenian Republic [P2] and several prominent international organizations, such as European Union, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN), Austrian Development Agency, UNDP.

130 participants presented their products at the Harvest festival, including both individual farmers and farming groups benefiting from the programs of various international organizations. One of the farmer groups was a beneficiary of “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) programme for Green Growth in Borderline Communities” project implemented by the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN). The group presented bright, beautiful, distinctive products, which included both agricultural products and handicrafts.

Anush Aslanyan, a young woman from Darpas settlement, Lori region, was among the participants presenting beautiful handmade dolls, jewellery and bright and colourful magnets. All the presented products were very fashionable and at the same time they embodied the traditional Armenian style.

Another participant from Lori region, 25-year-old Garik Mkrtchyan, who lives in Vanadzor, came with his wife Armine to present to the guests of the Festival the fresh homemade honey they make. The product was not only tasty, but also had unique packaging, and they managed to fit their presentation to the style of the Festival, in a very beautiful and fashionable way.

The list of agricultural products presented by the participants of the Festival was not limited to delicious honey. 29-year-old Mane Vardanyan from Anushavan settlement of Shirak region presented colourful and beautiful fresh fruits, pure dairy products and dried greens. Everything was very fresh and delicious. Mane prepared beautiful labels and packaging for the presented products.

Can you imagine a hospitality festival without aromatic coffee? The famous Mosinian coffee made without additives was presented during the harvest festival. 25-year-old Hamayak Grigoryan and Mosinyan family members arrived from Sanahin to the Green Training Center to create a warm family atmosphere, to serve their nicely packaged, aromatic products to the guests. The Mosinyans also prepared coffee packages as a gift for the Festival guests.

The next product presented to the guests of the Festival, was delicious and extremely attractive sweets made by 29-year-old Naira Badalyan, a resident of Haghardzin settlement, Tavush region. Naira passed all the flavours of Tavush region through her sweets.

Nonna Alaverdyan presented various handmade items made in the traditional Armenian style: beautiful carpets, carpet-styled bags, and other accessories. There were also glass paintings, hard to pass by if one is interested in art.

The participants of the festival were very excited. For sure, CENN “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) programme for Green Growth in Borderline Communities” project beneficiaries were among the bests.

The project “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) for Green Growth in Borderline Communities“  is  supported by the European Union, under the EU4Youth programme and is implemented by CENN (Georgia) in cooperation with Green Lane NGO (Armenia) and Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (Georgia).

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Yelaket.am News agency and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union