The Support Programme for Protected Areas – Armenia (SPPA-A), supported by GFC through KfW, aims to strengthen the management of natural resources and protected areas while improving the socio-economic conditions of adjacent rural communities. In the long term, the programme contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in the South Caucasus, ensuring that conservation efforts are aligned with the livelihoods and income generation needs of local populations.

Within this framework, capacity building of the Zangezour Biosphere Complex SNCO is planned across multiple directions, with a strong emphasis on enhancing forest landscape restoration potential in Syunik region. This is particularly relevant in the context of Armenia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement NDC and the Bonn Challenge.

Key activities and achievements include:

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• Strengthening institutional capacity of Zangezour Biosphere Complex SNCO:
Support is provided to enhance technical, organizational, and operational capacities for effective protected area and landscape management.

• Promotion of forest landscape restoration in Syunik region:
Identification and reinforcement of opportunities for large-scale restoration activities, contributing to ecosystem recovery and climate commitments.

• Assessment of existing nursery conditions:
Evaluation of the current state of the nursery system used for long-term production of planting material and genetic resources, identifying gaps in infrastructure, efficiency, and environmental compliance.

• Development of a modernization concept:
Preparation of a comprehensive concept for nursery modernization, including biological, technical, and operational solutions, as well as requirements for future development and scaling.

• Integration with ongoing restoration activities:
Ensuring that the nursery modernization concept is directly aligned with ongoing forest restoration interventions implemented by the Zangezour Biosphere Complex SNCO.

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As a result, the assignment supports the creation of a modern, efficient, and environmentally sound nursery system that strengthens forest restoration efforts and contributes to long-term biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in the region.