BACKGROUND:
ICU Vedi implemented not only ordinary activities as it is envisaged by its Statute, but also activities in collaboration with international donors and organizations like Eurasia Foundation, USAID and GTZ (2005-2007) to foster the cooperation and partnerships between the 15 municipalities.

At the present moment, the most important activity of “ICU Vedi” is the participation, as official Armenian partner together with RDA Vayots Dzor, in the international cooperation project called “LEADER: a Regional Network for the pro- motion of integrated sustainable development of Ararat and Vayots Dzor Regions” co-financed by European Community (Ref. EuropeAid/124645/C/ACT/AM)
and granted in the framework of the TACIS Program (ReDAM, phase II – Tacis Contract 2007/140637). TACIS Programme was set up in 1990 by the European Council; the Programme aims to encourage de- mocratization, the strengthening of the rule of law    and the transition to a market economy in the N e w Independent States, arisen by the break-up of the Soviet Union, as Armenia.

THE L.A.G.

The “InterCommunity Union of Vedi” (ICU Vedi) is, de facto, a L.A.G. located in central-western Republic of Armenia, in the Ararat region (total area 2096 km2 and 309 220 inhabitants), founded in 2004 as union of municipalities of Vedi’s territory and presently formed by 15 municipalities. The main goal of the organization is to coordinate and systematize the activities of its member municipalities, joining the efforts to solve common problems, as a non-profit and non-commercial or- ganization. ICU Vedi has the following main purposes:
to solve the communities problems in a more effective way,
to exercise intercommunity unions’ powers as granted by law and to promote the enforcement of laws, within the limits imposed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia,
to support networking relationships among the commu- nities to foster rural development, to support member-communities, external communities, organizations, international donors and other organiza- tions pursuing the same goals to establish connections and arrangements.
Moreover, ICU Vedi supports the preparation of Regional Development and Local Action Plans. The Agency has an important role in planning and managing of the territory, as it is responsible for the organization of public services like gar- bage collection, water and heating supply, roads, bridges and buildings reparation or reconstruction, etc. The intervention area of ICU Vedi is a rural territory with almost 100.000 habitants distributed in 31 municipalities, belonging to Ararat region. Its main economic sectors are agriculture (viticulture, fruit and vegetables) and stone processing, but it can count on a rich historical and natural heritage too.
The InterCommunity Union is lead by the Council, which has managing and decision-making powers carried out by its President and Director (appointed by the Board). The struc- ture is completed by technical and administrative Staff.

THE RESULTS

Through a participatory process, 4 micro projects have been singled out, approved and realized.
“Urban Waste Cycle Management Model”
This pilot project established a centralised public company run and managed thanks to the tech- nical equipment, human and financial resources currently existing in the 19 Communities involved in the project (15 from ICU Vedi and 4 neighbou- ring Communities, including Ararat City). It received Technical Assistance (at legal, normative and operational levels) and new means, equipment, machinery and tools (trucks, trash-bins, backhoe loader, software, etc.) in order to rationalize and optimize the urban solid waste cycle management: from the picking up to the disposal in a centralised landfill, till the attempt to implement a sort of differentiated collection (to recycle, at least, pa- per and plastic bottles) in an area with about 76.000 inhabitants.

“Establishment of Tourists Visit and Accommodation Centre” The project allowed the realization of a building (135 sqm) well placed in the environmental context of Khosrov State Reserve; the building provides 8 accommodations divided in two living units, together with an information/visit Centre,
bar cafeteria and a small restaurant. The website of the Reserve and the active promotion of tourism have also been improved, so as to improve the infrastructure of the Reserve, offer a better tourist reception and increase visibility and accessibility at both national and international level. Through the implementation of this project it has been possible to contribute effectively to the promotion of sustainable tourism in this area, a natural habitat for some rare ani- mal species in risk of extinction.

“Establishment of Agri-Mechanisation Centre” The Project helped in the provision of 2 new tractors and other innovative agricultural equip- ment, machinery and tools (2 trailers, soil milling machine, cereals and universal sowing machi- nes, hayrakes, etc.). It allowed the creation of a supply and distribution centre for agricultural machinery and services, at Khor Virap Agricultural Cooperative. The intended beneficiaries are not only cooperative’s members, but also external farmers. In fact, after Cooperative’s needs and requirements have been met, external farmers can rent and have at their disposal the same machinery in shorter time and at cheaper pri- ces, so ensuring the service both economic sustainability and maintenance of the equipment, better quality of the products and improved life conditions for the farmers of the area.

“Establishment of fruit and vegetables Drying and Packaging Unit” The Project allowed the purchase of modern and innovative machinery (vacuum packaging devi- ces, etc.) and equipment (greenhouses and pal- lets for drying the fruit, devices for washing fresh fruit and vegetables, etc..) to create a centre for packaging fresh and dried vegetables and fruits (14 tons of processed products). The service is intended to support not only the members of the NGO “URTS” but also external far- mers, ensuring the service both economic sustainability and good management of resources. Furthermore, improving the quality of food and agricultural products means to be able to present the market a more competitive and healthy goods so as to obtain a higher price. In this way it is possible to raise the general revenue and the living standards of both the NGO members and farmers of the area.


Download the ICU VEDI Flyer: Flyer English - Flyer Armenian - Flyer Italian