On October 28, within the framework of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, the Government of the Republic of Armenia, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Government of Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), officially launched the new “Advancing Nature-based Solutions in Armenia for Biodiversity and Resilient Communities” initiative. The three-year program (November 2026 – October 2029), supported by Sweden with a budget of SEK 30 million (approximately EUR 2.7 million), aims to restore ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity, and enhance the resilience and well-being of rural communities across Armenia through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions.

This strategic partnership is implemented by IUCN in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia and a consortium of partners—the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), Charitable Public Organisation “Shen,” the American University of Armenia (AUA), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). The project combines on-the-ground ecosystem restoration with policy support, capacity development, knowledge generation, and resource mobilization to accelerate the uptake of Nature-based Solutions nationwide and contribute to Armenia's commitments under the three Rio Conventions and the EU Green Agenda.

Addressing the significance of the program, Aram Meymaryan, Deputy Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia, stated: “The launch of this initiative at CBD COP17 reflects Armenia’s commitment to placing nature at the centre of our sustainable development pathway. By investing in ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions, we are investing in healthier landscapes, stronger communities and a more resilient future. This partnership will support Armenia in advancing national biodiversity, climate and land restoration priorities while delivering tangible benefits for people on the ground”. Dr. Oliver Avramoski, Regional Director of the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, noted that guided by the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™, partners will help strengthen ecosystem resilience and support local livelihoods. Daniel Westlén, State Secretary to the Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment, added that by investing in practical action on the ground today, Sweden is proud to support Armenia in building a more sustainable and resilient future while contributing to global efforts to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation.

Over the next three years, the initiative aims to restore or bring under improved management at least 1,050 hectares of land, support the restoration of 20 kilometers of river corridors in the Arpa and Yeghegis catchments, and directly benefit more than 5,000 people. Program activities will focus on three provinces—Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor—where ecosystems and rural communities face increasing pressures from land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. As part of the key interventions, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) will implement the restoration of the Arpa and Yeghegis river corridors through Nature-based ecosystem restoration measures. Meanwhile, Charitable Public Organisation “Shen” will lead the establishment of climate-resilient windbreak systems and agroforestry solutions to reduce soil erosion and strengthen agricultural resilience.

Reflecting on the practical significance of the initiative, Ruben Khachatryan, Director of FPWC, noted: “The strength of this initiative lies in its ability to connect ecosystem restoration with the needs of local communities. Together with our partners we will implement practical Nature-based Solutions that restore degraded ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and help communities adapt to a changing climate. These actions demonstrate how investing in nature can generate long-term benefits for livelihoods, resilience and sustainable development across Armenia”. Beyond field operations, in close partnership with the Acopian Center for the Environment at AUA and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the initiative will pilot Armenia's first Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Living Lab—bringing together government institutions, academia, local communities, civil society, and private-sector actors, while promoting the meaningful participation of women and young people and supporting a new student internship and applied learning program. As Eeva Primmer, Executive Director (CEO) of SEI, emphasized, science and innovation are essential to scaling effective Nature-based Solutions, and through this partnership, SEI will contribute evidence, knowledge, and practical tools to ensure that restoration and resilience efforts deliver lasting benefits for both people and nature.