(28 January 2022) – The European Union supports rural communities in Armenia in setting up LEADER initiatives. In December 2021, five Local Action Groups (LAGs) were born in the provinces of Lori and Tavush.

The Local Action Groups were set up with European Union support, under the Local Empowerment of Actors for Development (LEAD) Programme, launched following the entry into force of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in spring 2021.
At local level, the initiative aims to pilot the European LEADER approach by supporting locally driven rural development to reinvent rural areas, create local businesses, jobs and better living conditions.
The project aims to help local rural people in Lori and Tavush – men, women, youth, and elderly and citizen groups, including minorities – to play an active role in inclusive, resilient and sustainable local development in the long term.