Piotr Świtalski in Gyumri announced EUR 1 mln Grant Scheme for Regional Development

Today in Gyumri, the EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski announced EUR 1 million Grant Scheme for Regional Development designed to promote culture and creative sectors for the benefit of Armenian citizens in Shirak region.

The Grant Scheme will help building capacity in project management and funds management and directly support the development of the Shirak region. It will contribute to raising the economic competitiveness, creating jobs and reducing tendencies of outward migration.

The EU Ambassador statedm “The Pilot Regional Development Project in Shirak region is a strong tool, fostering culture as a catalyst for sustainable social and economic development. When I say culture, I mean more jobs in the creative and innovative sector. By emphasizing culture in the context of regional development of Armenia we mean building cultural bridges by integrating human capital, innovation, inclusion and infrastructures”.

This is the second call for proposals under the Pilot Regional Development Programme Grant Scheme (PRDP GS). Until now the PRDP GS is the biggest regional development programme in Armenia, both in terms of the available funds and the geographical coverage of the programme. The overall objective of PRDP GS is to support the Government of Armenia in progressing towards a more balanced social and economic development between regions of Armenia via (1) creating  economic opportunities and diversify economies in the ten regions of Armenia (support business climate, productive investments, cooperation among companies, especially SMEs, and related infrastructures), and (2) creating employment opportunities (provide relevant skills and promote sustainable employment, specifically in growth sectors, emerging and innovative sectors, especially among the young adults) in the regions.

The first call for proposals under the Pilot Regional Development Programme Grant Scheme (PRDP GS) was published by the European Union and the Ministry for Territorial Administration and Development (MTAD) on 14 September 2015. At the end seven PRDP grant contracts were signed with the EU and the Ministry of Territorial Administration. The implementation of the projects started at the beginning of 2017.

Now the second call for proposals is being launched which aims to select 1 or 2 additional regional projects to be financed from the remaining PRPD funds. Under this additional call for proposals, project ideas for Shirak region in culture and creative sectors will be invited. Jobs will be created and SMEs/enterprises registered in Shirak region will benefit from assistance. However, eligible organisations from all the regions can apply, if they find a suitable regional partner from the target region.