Environmental Education

What we do

The need of environmental education and ecological literacy is a key priority for the development of coordinated and integrated approach for an effective implementation of Armenia’s environmental obligations under identified three focal areas of the Rio Conventions: climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation of biodiversity and prevention of soil degradation. 

National Capacity Self-Assessment by the Armenian Government in 2003-2004 revealed that there is a low level of environmental literacy, lack of “environmental culture” among the population and scarce knowledge of decision-makers about global environmental issues and multilateral environmental agreements in Armenia. 

The objective of the project is to strengthen Armenia’s capacity to use environmental education and awareness raising as tools to improve the capacity of stakeholders involved in the management of natural resources The achievement of this objective will strengthen the capacity of staff in the public sector, raise the public awareness about global environmental issues and the related international conventions, strengthen the links between sectors, including the mainstreaming of environmental concerns in development policies and projects, and finally contribute to an ecologically safe and sound environment.

UNDP is supporting national partners through:

·        Addressing the capacity gaps preventing environmental education of being effectively used as a tool by stakeholders involved in natural resource management;

·        Mainstreaming environmental education into national strategies, programmes and projects;

·        Developing environmental education programmes as well as sustainable delivery mechanisms targeting staff in the public sector and educators in Armenia;

·        Developing the capacity of community-based organisations and of the media to use environmental education and awareness raising as tools for conducting information awareness and environmental education activities at both community and national level

·        Supporting public dialogues on key environmental issues with targeted stakeholders groups;

·        Supporting the dissemination of environmental information on state-of-the-art technologies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, conservation of biodiversity and prevention of soil degradation.

Some results so far

An assessment of the national legislation and policy frameworks revealed the weaknesses and barriers hindering usage of Environmental Education (EE) as a tool for improving natural resource management (NRM) and fulfilling commitments under the MEAs (Rio Conventions, Aarhus Convention etc.).

Assessment of existing institutional framework related to the usage of Environmental Education (EE) in Armenia has been conducted.  Particularly, existing institutional frameworks for EE in place were reviewed and analyzed as well as the gaps and needs to use environmental education as tool for better environmental management were identified.

Based on the findings of the above-mentioned assessments, recommendations were prepared enabling the stakeholders to effectively use institutional framework for EE as a tool for natural resource management.

“National Strategy on development of Ecological Education and Upbringing” was developed and approved by the Republic of Armenia (RoA) government http://www.irtek.am/views/act.aspx?aid=93900.

Capacity of relevant educational entities on environmental education improved through development of environmental education programmes, integration of distance learning mechanisms into existing training programs and introducing face-to-face environmental training for decision-makers in Armenia.

Capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) and media to raise environmental literacy of population in Armenia is enhanced through development of public awareness materials, delivery of wide scoped communication campaigns and implementation of capacity building programs.

Package on legal instruments/amendments related to Environmental Education (EE) was developed and submitted to the ME and MESCS. The documents are in process of proceeding by the Ministries.

In close cooperation with National Assembly of RA drafts of “Law on Ecological Information” and “Law on Ecological Policy” were developed.

In collaboration with the American University of Armenia E-learning course comprised of comprehensive 11 training modules focusing on environmental protection and natural resource management developed.

240 (45M and 195F) teachers of public schools and lecturers were trained to deliver EE programmes.

1,500 decision-makers (905 M, 595 F) (civil and community servants, leaders of local communities, members of elderly councils, staff of local self-governing bodies, private sector) trained on sustainable management of natural resources.

Capacity built for 34 CBOs to use environmental education and awareness-raising as tools for sustainable natural resource management

72 journalists (18M and 53F) representing 23 media outlets, as well as professors of different universities engaged in teaching journalism were trained on environmental awareness including global environmental issues and solutions.

“Environmental Journalism” manual was developed and “Environmental Journalism” was introduced in the curricula of Yerevan State University of Languages and Social Sciences.

One public awareness campaign related to implementation of three Rio Conventions and Aarhus convention in Armenia was completed. The campaign included:

-          installation of Green Urban Pavilion on Northern Avenue for public at large

-          Environmental poster design competition and competition for Journalists for covering environmental issues through mass media

-          Pechakucha Night Yerevan “Living Green”

-          movie screenings

-          development and launch of Recycling.am website https://recycling.am/

12 Radio Programs related to environmental protection with special focus on sectoral legal framework were developed and broadcasted by Public Radio of Armenia.

Eco-platform” TV project was developed. Totally 16 TV programs were filmed and  broadcasted by the Public Television of Armenia (https://www.1tv.am/hy/program/videos/Էկոհարթակ).

Pro-environmental public awareness 8 billboard were developed.

20 Data Stories on different environmental topics related to implementation of Rio Conventions in Armenia were developed. The special section on environment was created in on-line media Ampop.am (https://ampop.am/category/ecology/).

4 short animations on implementation of Rio Conventions and Aarhus convention in Armenia were developed.