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.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Arménie |
Agriculture et sécurité alimentaire Education
Formation professionnelle
Services agricoles & marché Politique d'éducation |
01.10.2025
- 30.09.2028 |
CHF 3’220’000
|
- National State Institute North
- Secteur privé étranger Nord
- GIZ
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE EDUCATION
AGRICULTURE
EDUCATION
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Formation professionnelle
Services agricoles
Politique de l’éducation et gestion administrative
Thème transversal Le projet contribue à améliorer le fonctionnement de l'organisation partenaire
Type d'aide Mandat sans gestion de fonds
Contribution à des projets ou programmes
Numéro de projet 7F10375
| Contexte | 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. |
| Objectifs | Improved knowledge and skills contribute to enhanced (self)-employment and increased incomes of VET graduates and professionals in agricultural and related fields. |
| Groupes cibles | 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. |
| Effets à moyen terme |
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) |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: 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. Principaux résultats antérieurs: 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. |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel Secteur privé Institution étatique étrangère |
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | 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. . |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 3’220’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 8’259’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 3’152’005 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 7’130’000 |
| Phases du projet |
Phase 2 01.10.2025 - 30.09.2028 (Active) Phase 1 01.12.2021 - 30.09.2025 (Phase en cours) |
