Project Title
Managing the Regulated Wild Plant Collection in Armenia

About the Project
The project aims to (1) support the Armenian government’s efforts to effectively manage regulated collection of wild plants in accordance with Armenian government’s efforts to promote biodiversity and protect endangered wildlife, augmented by input from the communities in question; (2) improve legal mechanisms that regulate and monitor wild plant harvest; and (3) promote and support multi-stakeholder consultation and interaction to establish a concrete and comprehensive future action agenda.

Project Duration
February 1 – October 31, 2020

Project Description
The American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment, within the scope of a grant awarded by the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, will support the RA Government in developing the capacity to manage the regulated collection of wild plants. This project is part of the support on promoting biodiversity, protecting endangered wildlife, and countering the illegal trade of flora and fauna, which is provided to Armenia by the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. To implement the project, the AUA Acopian Center will cooperate with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia.

The project objectives are:

– To identify and engage key state and non-state stakeholders involved in wild plant collection and monitoring
– To identify an action agenda for the Armenian government to better manage wild edible plants and ensure its sustainability
– To promote an understanding and awareness on how to balance economic necessities and environmental concerns

The project activities and deliverables include:

1. Stakeholder mapping, identifying state, regional and local government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders

2. An online platform with resources related to wild plant harvesting and monitoring
A series of interlinked webpages that aggregate policy and research resources related to wild plant harvesting and monitoring. The categories included in the platform are: legislative and policy documents, research publications, stakeholder perspectives and comments based on an online survey.

3. Republic of Armenia legislative and institutional review

4. Review of past experience and research on wild harvest regulation and management in Armenia

5. Organizing a multi-stakeholder workshop on wild plant harvest and its regulation and management (Note: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions of movement the workshop will be conducted online on September 16, 2020. In addition to the workshop, there is an online survey soliciting stakeholder comments.). To participate in the workshop, please contact us via [email protected].

6. An action agenda on improving regulation and management of wild plant harvest in Armenia (particularly with greater community participation)
Based on legislative and institutional as well as existing literature/ research reviews, and stakeholder input to:
– develop government capacity (e.g., monitoring, collecting fees, licensing, establishing a comprehensive database, strengthening regional governing bodies, outreach education etc.)
– improve legislation
– encourage greater community engagement
– encourage private-sector cooperation
– improve the regulation and management of wild plant collection in Armenia

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