Armenia’s nature is threatened by overexploitation of biodiversity resources, unregulated tourism activities, habitat loss and climate change. The cumulative impacts include the accelerated loss of vulnerable habitats and associated species and the growing insecurity of ecosystem services.


Governmental agencies, site managers and communities have very limited experience with management of protected areas that allow for creative “multiple-use” approaches. Establishing new and improving existing sanctuaries generally requires the commitment and inclusion of local communities. Still, there are no good national examples of community-based/participatory management, sustainable tourism management, information-based decision-making, sustainable financing, and other concepts key to successful management of "multiple-use" protection categories. In this regard, creating and developing the institutional capacity building complements the project priorities.

While improving the protected area system of Armenia and their management, the Project also helped to promote connectivity and alleviate poverty in communities. The project enhanced the environmental, financial, social, and institutional sustainability of Armenia’s protected area system through achieving the following outcomes: