Modernizing VET in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA)
Switzerland with Germany and Austria continues to support Armenia’s transition to a work-based VET system building on its expertise and first phase results. The project will empower and strengthen state actors to take ownership and coordinate efforts towards a more inclusive and labour market relevant system. Simultaneously, targeted support to colleges and private sector organizations should improve agricultural VET quality, enabling rural youth to access decent job opportunities.
| Región/País | Tema | Período | Presupuesto |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Armenia |
Agricultura y seguridad alimentaria Educación
Formación profesional
Servicios agrícolos & mercado Política de educación |
01.10.2025
- 30.09.2028 |
CHF 3’220’000
|
- National State Institute North
- Sector privado extranjero Norte
- GIZ
-
Sector según clasificación del comité de ayuda al desarrollo de la OCDE EDUCACIÓN
AGRICULTURA
EDUCACIÓN
Sub-Sector según clasificación del comité de ayuda al desarrollo de la OCDE Formación profesional
Agricultural services
Política educativa y gestión administrativa
Temas transversales El proyecto apoya también mejoras en la organización contraparte
Tipo de ayuda Mandato sin fondos fiduciarios
Contribución a proyectos y programas
Número de proyecto 7F10375
| Contexto | In 2023, 52% of total employment was in agriculture (ILO estimate), which is vital for rural livelihoods and poverty reduction despite contributing only 9.4% to GDP. The sector faces significant challenges, including land abandonment and low productivity, exacerbated by climate change and a lack of infrastructure, which disproportionately affects small and female farmers. In response, the state is implementing new technologies and subsidies to boost agricultural sustainability. Concurrently, education is a key government priority, with the 2021-2026 Government Programme and 2030 Education Strategy aiming to improve its quality and alignment with the labor market. While the VET system has historically struggled with a reputation for low quality, it is now seeing a growing interest, particularly from female students and secondary school graduates. |
| Objetivos | Improved knowledge and skills contribute to enhanced (self)-employment and increased incomes of VET graduates and professionals in agricultural and related fields. |
| Grupos destinarios | The project will primarily target rural youth (including women and Nagorno Karabakh refugees). It will also support VET colleges, private sector organizations, and the new VET body institutionally, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS) in policy reform. |
| Efectos a medio plazo |
Outcome 1: State institutions provide the legal and regulatory framework that is enabling a functional VET system based on the new VET law. (macro-level) Outcome 2: The new VET body and private sector organisations ensure joint responsibility for the provision of VET services. (meso-level) Outcome 3: Private sector and colleges jointly provide improved skills and qualifications for female and male A-VET students, graduates and professionals. (micro-level) |
| Resultados |
Resultados previstos: 1.1: State institutions establish a new VET body, provide an inclusive VET policy framework and develop private sector involvement mechanisms. 2.1: Private sector organizations are functional and have enough capacities to be involved in VET. 2.2: The new VET body is functional and has capacities to coordinate VET system as per its role and responsibilities. 3.1: Colleges offer high-quality VET services through updated curricula and teaching methods in A-VET. 3.2: Colleges have capacities to establish partnerships with the private sector, provide career guidance, address issues with gender equality and social inclusion, facilitate and promote A-VET. Resultados de las fases anteriores: As a result of MAVETA Phase 1, significant milestones were achieved such as the adoption of the new VET law (May 2024), introduction of dual curricula in six agricultural professions, enrolment of over 400 students in new or better vocational skills development, building capacities of six partner colleges, and over 40 companies/farms to offer highquality apprenticeships. The lessons learnt and challenges are related to legal alignment complexities and weak institutional capacitities, especially within state institutions and VET colleges. Low teacher salaries and a shortage of qualified instructors impede quality. Private sector involvement remains limited and unsystematic. Additional issues include access to VET, low learner motivation, and a lack of sustainable and scalable mechanisms for work-based learning. |
| Dirección / Officina Federal responsable |
COSUDE |
| Contrapartes del proyecto |
Contraparte del contrato Sector privado Institución estatal extrangera |
| Coordinación con otros proyectos y actores | The project will seek synergies with other SCO Armenia projects such as SIGMA, SEIRA, and FORACCA, as well as regional project WEE, in the development of skills, promotion of (self-)employment and private sector development in Agriculture and related areas. . |
| Presupuesto | Fase en curso Presupuesto suizo CHF 3’220’000 Presupuesto actual suizo ya emitido CHF 0 Total del proyecto desde la primera fase Presupuesto suizo CHF 3’152’005 Presupuesto inclusive contrapartes del proyecto CHF 7’130’000 |
| Fases del proyecto | Fase 2 01.10.2025 - 30.09.2028 (Fase en curso) Fase 1 01.12.2021 - 30.09.2025 (Completed) |
