Project Detail

Improving Energy Efficiency for conservation of forest ecosystems in Zaritap Community Conserved Area of South-Eastern Lesser Caucasus Ecological Corridor

Artavan village of Vayots Dzor region is located in one of the Key Biodiversity Areas within South-Eastern Lesser Caucasus Ecological Corridor, identified as a conservation priority in the Caucasus by Conservation International and WWF and, supported through Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. It is among 8 villages consolidated under administration of Zaritap municipality, which established a Community Conserved Area (CCA) covering 7,531 ha, forming a part of the South-Eastern Lesser Caucasus Ecological Corridor in 2017. Later on, the community signed a conservation agreement with Martiros Foundation and WWF-Armenia to conserve valuable wildlife habitats and secure ecologically sustainable land use in the community. The agreement includes the Wildlife habitat management plan of Zaritap CCA for 2018-2025 covering also the natural forest territories adjacent to Artavan village. Conservation of Artavan forest will contribute to increase of population of such species as Caucasian Leopard, Bezoar Goat, Brown Bear and Lynx. Since Artavan village does not have access to natural gas the forest is used by the local population as the main source for household heating which negatively influences the forest ecosystem, providing habitat for a vast array of globally significant plant and animal species.
The project aims to conserve the forest ecosystem in Artavan by reducing the dependence of the local population on forest resources through improving the energy performance of the community households and public facilities. In particular, the project plans to install solar thermal and PV systems to reduce daily wood fuel consumption by the households and public facilities. The project will also contribute to the community?s resilience to climate change and increase local awareness on value of biodiversity critical ecosystems, as well as understanding on biodiversity-friendly and climate-smart livelihood practices in and around conservation areas.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

MARTIROS Charity Foundation

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP6 -Y4 (Jul 18 - Jun 19)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 37,544.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 16,100.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP6/Y4/STAR/BD/19/24

Start Date:

6/2019

End Date:

5/2021

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

Almost 50% of the community population are women who bear the burdens of domestic work. They will be the main beneficiaries of the project, as women spend a lot of time on heating their houses and ensuring hot water supply for household needs. Availability of hot water will improve household comfort and ensure considerable time saving for women.

Notable Community Participation

As local youth are directly involved in collecting wood from the forest, it is envisaged that they will be directly involved in the installation of solar systems in their households. It is also planned to promote knowledge transfer and practical education on RES and EE for youth and other stakeholders through ?learning by doing? approach. Moreover, the youth will be also involved in wildlife monitoring activities under supervision of local caretakers and WWF experts.

Replication of project activities

In Armenia there are many mountainous communities with similar problems. Most of the communities still have no access to natural gas and people rely on firewood for heating and hot water needs. Successful implementation of the project will enable replicating the project components in other forest adjacent villages.

Capacity - Building Component

It is envisaged that by end of the project the local population of Artavan village will be informed about biodiversity challenges of the nearby forest and would value the importance of conservation of threatened species through protection and sustainable use of the forest. Community members will also increase awareness on locally adapted application on low-carbon technology and associated co-benefits, such as resilience, ecosystem effects, income and health. This will be achieved through different awareness raising campaigns, community meetings and practical trainings.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

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Linkages gef projects

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Planning gef grant

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Planning non gef grant

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Policy Impact

N/A

Policy Influence

N/A

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project will enable an opportunity for local population to access renewable energy sources which will have positive economic impact on their livelihoods. Through operation of solar thermal systems at least 300USD will be saved by each of 55 household annually due to savings from electricity and wood consumption. Moreover, electricity generated from the grid-connected PV system will provide comfort to the community public institution, thus ensuring considerable savings to the community budget.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The results of the project will be shared and disseminated via social and mass media. The project closure event will be organized in the village to introduce the achieved results to different stakeholders (Administration of Vayots Dzor region, Heads of other villages of the Zaritap municipality, NGOs, International Organizations etc.).

Project sustainability

The sustainability of the project will be achieved by application of energy efficient technologies at the community households, resulting in considerable savings and development of energy saving culture and traditions at the local level. WWF supports long term biodiversity conservation activities in Zaritap Community Conserved area that include regular patrolling and monitoring and will help to prevent illegal logging in Artavan forest area. WWF assistance will also include awareness raising on biodiversity conservation over a long period of time and assistance to local population for making additional income that will helps to decrease dependence on wildlife resources.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

Through dissemination of project results among different stakeholders, the project will ensure transfer of knowledge and experience in the communities with similar situation.

Project Results

The project will achieve the following results:
? Installation of 53 solar thermal systems ensures reducing wood consumption, saving in electricity costs for households;
? Installation of a photovoltaic system results in improving comfort and conditions in the local secondary school and
? Over 500 trees are planted in the area damaged by a major fire in 2017.
? Awareness raising of the local community is increased application of energy-efficient technologies;
? Positive socio-economic impact on local community as people will start saving more money due to decrease in wood and electricity expenses. Approximately each household will have savings of 120,000 AMD annually.
? Improved living conditions for local community.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 5013

Empowerment

Innovative financial mechanisms put in place through SGP project 1

Livehood

Increase in household income by increased income or reduced costs due to SGP project 400

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