A practical demonstration of the "selective upgrading" technique in the selected pilot area in the Goris Forestry branch of Hayantar SNCO.

12 September 2024, Goris, Armenia - Thousands of rural households in Armenia, particularly women and low-income families, are set to benefit from new gender-responsive forest management practices aimed at enhancing their livelihoods and preserving critical forest ecosystems. By integrating renewable energy solutions and sustainable forest use, this initiative will not only support community well-being but also contribute to Armenia’s broader environmental goals.

Effective and sustainable forest management requires a holistic approach that considers not only ecological factors but also the social dimensions of forest use. Energy efficiency plays a critical role in this framework, more so in the context of Armenia, as optimizing the use of forest resources can reduce the need for extensive logging and diminish its environmental impact. Implementing sustainable solutions, such as biomass energy from sustainably managed forests, can help communities living near forested areas to meet energy needs while preserving forest ecosystems.

Women and low-income households who often rely heavily on forests for survival have limited options of livelihoods. The project emphasizes gender equity, understanding that men and women have different relationships with forest resources. By addressing these differences, the initiative creates more inclusive and effective forest management practices. Gender-responsive strategies not only empower women in forest-dependent communities but also contribute to more sustainable and efficient resource use. As forests provide essential resources that support local economies and contribute to poverty alleviation the Governments are seeking to achieve an optimal balance between environmental management, economic development and social values to meet the needs of society on a sustainable basis. Many communities rely on forests for their livelihoods, deriving resources such as timber, non-wood forest products (e.g., fruits, nuts, medicinal plants), and income from involvement in afforestation and forest harvesting activities of the forestry sector or activities like ecotourism.

“Forest resilience of Armenia, enhancing adaptation and rural green growth via mitigation” project, jointly implemented by FAO and the Environmental Project Implementation Unit of Armenia's Ministry of Environment, is advancing forest restoration efforts while focusing on strategic forestry developments that promise substantial long-term economic benefits for local communities. The project is financed by the Green Climate Fund as well as by the Government of Armenia, the World Wildlife Fund, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Italy), the Austrian Development Agency and FAO.

On September 12, FAO organized awareness-raising sessions on gender-responsiveness in forest management planning, energy efficiency, and sustainable solutions, all aimed at strengthening forest management practices in Armenia.

The awareness raising sessions were followed by a practical demonstration of the "selective upgrading" technique in the selected pilot area in the Goris Forestry branch of Hayantar SNCO in Syunik Marz, aiming to showcase the improvement of the degraded coppice forests and highlight the project's commitment to both environmental and community-focused objectives.

During this demonstration participants observed the advanced tools procured within the framework of the project and discussed important workplace safety issues. The purchased machinery and the equipment were provided to Hayantar SNCO.

FAO Forestry Officer Norbert Winkler-Ráthonyi and International Silviculture Specialist Prof. Eduard Hochbichler led a comprehensive session on forestry restoration in the field.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in Armenia's commitment to sustainable forest management and biodiversity protection. By selectively improving degraded coppice forests and converting them into higher-quality, more resilient forests, Armenia can enhance its capacity to adapt to climate change, boost biodiversity, and promote green economic growth in rural areas.

The collaboration between international and local partners may bring innovative solutions, fostering a stronger and more resilient natural environment for future generations.