ATP Celebrates Remarkable Achievements of EU-funded “EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future” Project

L to R: Jinishian Memorial Foundation representative Ruben Krikyan,

General Director at Armenian Energy Agency Luisa Vardanyan,

Operational Manager of Cooperation Section at the EU Delegation to Armenia Tatevik Davtyan,

ATP Yerevan Office Coordinator Rousanne Arustamyan,

EU4Environment: Green Community-Resilient Future Project Coordinator Rima Abrahamyan

Head of Cooperation Section at the EU Delegation to Armenia Frank Hess.

On February 29th, ATP hosted a momentous event marking the triumphant conclusion of the three-year EU-funded “EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future” grant project. The celebration brought together funders, partners, and beneficiaries to reflect on the project's impactful journey.

The initiative aimed at addressing Armenia's pressing environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, air pollution, soil erosion, and over-exploitation of water resources. Through strategic education and targeted environmental improvements in Armenia's small cities and towns, the project successfully fostered sustainable practices.

ATP Director Rousanne Arustamyan emphasized, "The past three years have presented challenges, but we remained steadfast in our commitment to our goal. As ATP marks its 30th anniversary in 2024, we are determined to continue our positive impact on the environment through afforestation, greening, and environmental education programs."

Despite obstacles, ATP is proud to showcase the project's achievements. In the afforestation category, a significant 100 hectares of forest were planted in Mets Sariar Community (Shirak Region) and Urasar Community (Lori Region), comprising over 390,000 trees and generating 290 seasonal jobs for the local community.

Under the green infrastructure umbrella, ATP established a cutting-edge nursery in Gyumri named Gyumri Selection Station, that produces over 120,000 seedlings annually across 15 tree species. This initiative secures the future of reforestation in the sparsely forested Shirak Region.

In the green jobs sector, the ATP Backyard Nursery micro-enterprise program expanded from 22 to 150 beneficiaries, offering rural communities opportunities for supplemental income through plant sales and contributing to increased tree availability for afforestation.

Community greening initiatives saw ATP transforming 50 schools, 22 community parks and forests, and planting a total of 33,316 trees, including decorative and fruiting varieties.

In environmental education, ATP established and supports 15 eco clubs at partner schools, engaging 1,170 students in eco camps, over 2,000 students in environmental stewardship activities, and 2,000 students in tree plantings. In the realm of environmental resources, ATP developed and piloted a Green Urban Development Model and Online Information-Sharing Learning Portal to promote a green lifestyle in target regions.

Frank Hess, Operational Manager of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Armenia, expressed his satisfaction during his speech, stating, "We are thrilled to have had a partner like ATP in this green urban planning and forestation project, particularly focusing on instilling environmentally friendly culture, including among children. These are crucial priorities of the European Union."

While celebrating the project's closure, ATP acknowledges the bittersweet sentiment of concluding a successful partnership. As ATP gears up for its 30th-anniversary festivities, the organization hopes for new partnerships to emerge, ensuring the continued growth of impactful programs initiated or sustained under the “EU4 Environment: Green Community, Resilient Future” project. A heartfelt thank you goes to the EU for envisioning this green initiative and providing crucial funding, along with gratitude to project implementation partners Jinishian Memorial Foundation and Armenian Energy Agency.

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Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

April 15, 2025

Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 30 Years with Exclusive Commemorative Trip to Armenia

From Seed to Soil: Rebuilding Armenia’s Green Future

March 25, 2025

As winter recedes, a new season of hope takes root in Armenia. In ATP’s tree nurseries, a quiet urgency fills the air as thousands of seedlings are carefully nurtured, each one a promise of renewal. The forestry team watches closely as the snow melts, knowing that the perfect window for planting is just around the corner. This year, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) will plant an astounding one million trees across Armenia. With this initiative, ATP will surpass a major milestone—9 million trees planted since its inception. To put that into perspective, this is enough to cover an area larger than 1,000 football fields. These plantings are not just about trees; they are about resilience, sustainability, and restoring Armenia’s natural heritage. The spring planting season kicks off in the villages of Bovadzor and Urasar in Lori, then expands to Tsaghkaber, Mets Sariar, Lernakert, and Pemzashen in Shirak, before concluding in Leranist in Kotayk. These regions have been carefully selected for their need for reforestation and their potential to thrive as part of Armenia’s green future. At the heart of this movement are the people who make it possible. Last year, 500 seasonal workers joined ATP’s efforts, many of whom return each year. This spring, 200 tree planters will take on the responsibility of planting half a million trees. Among them are cousins Marine and Armine Gogoryan from Lori, who have dedicated years to tree planting. “Planting trees is like planting hope,” says Marine. “We’ve seen forests rise where there was once nothing. It makes us believe in the future.” Their passion, alongside the tireless efforts of ATP’s forestry teams, has transformed barren lands into thriving forests. Looking back at past plantings—the Hrant Dink Memorial Forest, the Sose and Allen Forest, and the Koghes Forest—it’s clear how far this initiative has come. Once desolate landscapes are now home to lush, growing canopies, proof that long-term commitment yields extraordinary results. Yet, the urgency of reforestation in Armenia has never been greater. Climate change, deforestation, and the displacement of communities have intensified the need for green spaces. Forests act as natural shields against soil erosion, provide oxygen, and help regulate the climate. Every tree planted is a step toward a healthier, more sustainable Armenia. ATP’s mission is gaining recognition beyond Armenia. Environmental organizations worldwide have praised its reforestation model, and global conservation leaders are taking note. With continued support, the impact of these efforts will extend far beyond national borders. You can be part of this transformation. Whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, every contribution helps secure Armenia’s green future. Help ATP plant the seeds of change together by visiting ArmeniaTree.org.