“BLEJAN” NGO has been selected by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sustainable Caucasus organization as a partner organization to implement a pilot program in the Gavar community, aimed at climate adaptation.
The selection criteria included, first, the fact that Gavar is located about 2,000 meters above sea level, and in recent years hot summers, abrupt weather changes, and large day–night temperature differences have been recorded. Therefore, the program will contribute to shaping the city’s microclimate and addressing public health issues.
A second factor is that in 2017 Gavar joined the Covenant of Mayors, under which the community already has an action plan aimed at sustainable energy development and climate protection.
On May 23, a meeting and discussion took place with Gavar community head Gurgen Martirosyan and representatives of the project to establish a nature-based park in the area known as “Jaki Boulevard.”
After that, in order to inform the wider public about the project, awareness meetings about establishing the park were held at the Gavar municipal administration and the Gavar city library with local NGOs, members of the council, representatives of the municipality and educational/cultural institutions, as well as experts.
During these meetings, the implementing parties—Mariam Devidze (from Georgia) representing UNEP, Ansgar Felendorff (from Austria), Marine Matosyan, the Armenia country lead of the Sustainable Caucasus program, Ani Ghukasyan, a representative of the Climate Policy Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Environment, Lianna Asoyan, President of BLEJAN NGO, and representatives of the municipality—presented the park establishment project.
According to the project, creating a park in Gavar using nature-based solutions will help preserve biodiversity and improve the environment. The park will not only help make the Gavar community more climate-resilient, but will also serve as a place for residents to rest and spend leisure time, and as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle.