EcoLab is an organization focused on youth education, and therefore, most of the people involved in the project will be youth. The partners of this project are organizations run by young people ? both Tree of Life which will carry out the biodiversity education, and Boo Mountain Bike Park which will help with setting up the camping site, are established and run by young professionals and enthusiasts. Education of school students is one of the components of this project. At least 50% (but probably as high as 90%) of the guides to biodiversity will also be young people.

Ecolab attaches major importance to changing the attitude towards nature - from a consumerist and exploitative to an appreciative and caring approach. One of the strengths of this project is that it will walk to this goal on one hand through education, and on the other hand through helping people receive income. EcoLab Foundation implements annual alumni meetings, where the developments and new projects of the foundation are discussed. EcoLab will communicate this project to its alumni, will propose replicating it in other communities; in case of interest - will organize capacity building and small-scale funding support.

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The EcoLab foundation will make the lessons learned available to a wide network of changemakers throughout Armenia by including the information on the best and worst practices in the educational curriculum it offers to youth. EcoLab annually carries out educational programs for young people from all around Armenia and has an alumni network of more than 300 people; best practices and lessons learned through this project will also be shared in this network. Moreover, EcoLab is a member of MitOst association?s international network with around 25 countries involved, and will share the knowledge from this project during annual coordinators, facilitators and alumni meetings of the MitOst network. The project reports will document our experience and make it available to other organizations interested in replicating the project framework. In general, Ecolab will create an open informational culture of transparent communication with all the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project through making the project activities, approaches and other key data available to all the interested parties.

The project aims first of all to reach behavioral change ? care and appreciation of the nature and biodiversity of Vanadzor Canyon as opposed to the presently dominant consumerist and exploitative approach. Particularly through involving teachers and students in the process, it is envisaged to produce long lasting and multiplying effects in this regard. Moreover, quality eco-tourism facilities/services will be put in place through making a camping site, refurbishing Boo Alternative House, proposing hiking routs for watching birds, plans and mushrooms. Also, regular garbage collection by the municipality will be put in place, as well as separation of plastic waste which will decrease pollution.

The project goals will be communicated through face-to-face meetings with community-based organizations and schools; through providing opportunities to experience it by participating in the Canyon clean-up activities or educational hikes; through cooperating with the local media, mainly Lori TV.

The project influences local government practices. Vanadzor municipality is involved as a partner in this project to ensure regular garbage collection facilities in the canyon. The municipality will also take part in public awareness about the project and the new, appreciative approach to the Canyon. In addition, Ecolab team is in communication with Vanadzor municipality in order to develop a strategy for sustainable development of the city in terms of environmental, social and economic municipal policies.

The project involves mechanisms for continuity of its results: regular cleaning and monitoring of the area will be set up together with the municipality of Vanadzor to continue doing it after the project; there will be trained guides to biodiversity who can continue forest appreciation tours even after the project, and it will ensure them income. Boo Alternative House is a social entrepreneurship; the infrastructural development will positively affect the business model of the Boo House and will raise its expected income; therefore, EcoLab will also invest part of its income in the protection of the Canyon. Promotional campaign for Vanadzor Canyon and town will be implemented by the team for ensuring economic self-sustainability of the project. The strengths and added value of this project is that its main actors are based in Vanadzor and work there long-term - EcoLab has its training center Boo Alternative House in the Canyon, which insure attendance of at least 500 people every year; Boo Mountain Bike Park plans to base in Vanadzor and run their social business there, and they are also implementing another GEF funded project in the Canyon; Vanadzor municipality is the main local governance body, and local hospitality businesses can expect long term gains through conservation of the canyon and possibilities of ecotourism there. This is all a guarantee of high motivation of the actors involved.

The project will provide possibilities for additional income for individuals and entities involved in hospitality businesses in Vanadzor, primarily the tour guides and B&Bs. Overall, an availability of eco-tourism and recreational activities in Vanadzor Canyon will end up in increased number of visitors to Vanadzor and their longer stay in the town which will positively affect social-economic situation of several social groups in the town. The project also intends to change attitudes towards nature and biodiversity ? a care-based approach as opposed to the present consumerist approach; garbage facilities in the Canyon and availability of biodiversity appreciation tours will become alternatives to the existing plastic-fast food-leisure.