Biodiversity Assessment and DNA Barcoding of Mycorrhizal and Xylotrophic Fungi in Forested Regions of Armenia | BioBarFungArm

The BioBarFungArm is an academic teaching-oriented project, which based on modern research platform. The project aims to foster collaboration between Austrian and Armenian institutions through a comprehensive research initiative focusing on fungal diversity investigation and their DNA barcoding, enhancing research capacity, promoting higher education, and facilitating sustainable development through targeted dissemination strategies. Public engagement and outreach are integral to the project's strategy, with activities planned to raise awareness and showcase the project's outcomes to policymakers, NGOs, local communities, institutions, and other stakeholders. These efforts will include public lectures, exhibitions, and awareness campaigns, highlighting the significance of biodiversity conservation and forest ecosystem health.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of the project, with existing partnerships among research institution and universities serving as a foundation for joint educational-research community. The BioBarFungArm project will strengthen the collaboration of researchers from Austria and Armenia, spreading know-how and training young researchers in cutting-edge mycological and botanical methods. 
The project explicitly addresses gender and inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for participation in all activities, particularly focusing on training and capacity-building sessions for young researchers and students. 

As part of the APPEAR program, the BioBarFungArm project contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation, forest ecosystem health, and the promotion of responsible natural resource use, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 4, 15. The SDGs are of global interest and require local action. The EU and its partners in Armenia are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which address the major development challenges faced also by people in Armenia. From the other side STEM sectors are an important source of growth for Armenia which is the main driving force to redeveloping and strengthening STEM education, including life sciences in Armenia, such as Mycology, Botany, Genetics, Biodiversity and Nature conservation. 
It is extremely important to have an opportunity for experience exchange from a developed EU country like Austria to developing Eastern European countries as Armenia, as well as to have an opportunity for capacity building for Armenian educational and scientific institutions. 

A key focus of BioBarFungArm is capacity building in mycology and forest ecosystem preservation. Given that the Department of Botany and Mycology of YSU is the only institution in Armenia educating specialists in mycology, this project addresses an urgent need for experts in this field across Armenia, as a hotspot region of the Caucasus. 
The project will undertake various activities, including capacity building and training programs, the updating of curricula for 3 Educational Programs of YSU. The development and implementation of courses, study programs, and degrees relevant to the needs of the job market will enhance the employability of high-quality native specialists. The project will give us the opportunities to upgraded laboratory facilities to support teaching and research activities in YSU and “Armbiotechnology” Institute. By fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange between Austria and Armenia, BioBarFungArm aims to enhance educational and research capabilities, ultimately creating better opportunities for future generations and advancing towards sustainability and high-quality, internationally recognized education.