BACKGROUND
RDA implemented not only ordinary activities envisaged by its Statute, but also activities carried out in collaboration with international donors and organizations like Eurasia Foundation, USAID and GTZ to foster cooperation and partnerships between SMEs, NGOs, communities and civil society.
At the present moment the most important activity of “Vayots Dzor” RDA is the participation, as official Armenian partner together with ICU Vedi, in the international cooperation project called “Regional Network for the promotion 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 Programme (ReDAM, phase II – Tacis Contract 2007/140637). The Community’s TACIS Programme was set up in 1990 by the European Council; the Programme aims to encourage democratization, the strengthening
of the rule of law and the transition to a market economy in the New Independent States, arisen by the break-up of the Soviet Union, as Armenia.

THE L.A.G.
“Vayots Dzor” RDA is a L.A.G. located in the mountainous region of Vayots Dzor, in the central-western Republic of Armenia. It was founded in 2005 as a Union of Legal Enti- ties and reformed in 2007 as an Association.
The main purposes of RDA are: to promote sustainable initiatives aimed at narrowing the gaps in regional and interregional different levels of deve- lopment; to find out and put in practice means for the best usage of natural, economic and human resources; to support institutions which encourage the creation of “entrepreneurial culture”, the development of entrepreneurship and rural communities; to promote inter-regional and inter-community partnership networking. Other major objectives of RDA Vayots Dzor are the deve- lopment of a Regional and Local Action Plan, finding and raising funds to implement regional projects, developing business plans, etc. The intervention area of RDA is the whole region of Vayots Dzor (total area 1.619 sq. km, almost 68.000 inhabitants distributed in 44 Communities). Its main economic sector is agriculture (especially viticulture and livestock) but it also has a rich historical and natural heritage. “Vayots Dzor “Association is lead by the Council, which has managing and decision-making powers. The Executive Director carries out the decisions taken by the Council and coordinates technical and administrative staff.

THE RESULTS
Through a participatory process, one micro project having territorial value has been singled out, approved and rea- lized.
Tourism Development and Professional Training Centre Thanks to the creation of such Centre, this pilot MicroProject promoted not only the development of regional territory and public/private tourist organizations, but also the improvement of local workforce professional competencies and of human resources involved in the tourist sector (restaurants, hotels, tour operators, guides) as well as in related sectors (such as business management, accounting, office management, handicraft, etc). The objective has been achieved thanks to the establishment of a Travel Agency within the Centre, which realises and disseminates video and other promotional material (brochures, leaflets, etc.), achieves, manages and updates one database and Tour Packages to be distributed to national and international Tour Operators. At the same time several certified professional training courses have been held within the Centre, in order to ensure offered tourist services a correspondence to the proper standards.

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