On April 19th, the EcoServ project was presented to external stakeholders at Yerevan State University, beginning with welcome speech of Yerevan State University Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs Rafael Barkhudaryan. Vice-Rector emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the project and its contribution to one of the priorities of YSU, the research capacities development. EcoServ project coordinator, Verena Radinger-Peer (BOKU, Vienna), presented the project's main activities and expected outcomes and contribution to SDGs, expressing her enthusiasm for sharing BOKU's experience with Armenian partners. Armenian ministry representatives emphasized the project's significance in promoting sustainable freshwater resource management and preparing specialists in the field of ecosystem services management. The EcoServ Project Team members then presented the project's main concepts and methods, highlighting the involvement of multiple stakeholders from academia, business, policy makers, and local communities.
Participants from the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, and Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, as well as international and local development organizations working on nature protection, biodiversity, and freshwater conservation in Armenia, academic institutions, professors, and students from different universities and scientific centers of Armenia were involved in the Kick Off Meeting. The project will use participatory approaches to involve these stakeholders in different stages of its implementation.
EcoServ contributes to the APPEAR programme’s thematic focus “Protection of the environment and sustainable management of natural resources – mitigating climate change and its impacts, protection of ecosystems, responsible use of natural resources, sustainable energy, water and sanitation”. However, the EcoServ project also targets other thematic areas of the APPEAR programme such as education for all, gender equality, empowerment of women and girls, governance, as well as sustainable economic development. Furthermore, EcoServ strongly contributes to SDG 4 Quality education, SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation as well as SDG 15 Life on Land.