Armenia: Team Europe to continue investing in a safe, energy-efficient and resilient future for the country

• Today marks the opening of kindergarten no. 47 in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, refurbished under a construction project to create around 50 learning facilities that are warmer, more resistant to earthquakes and more energy efficient.
• The €15 million Yerevan energy efficiency project is supported by EIB Global, the E5P, GCF via UNDP, and Yerevan municipality.
• EIB Global also joined the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative to support the construction of two educational and training centres for up to 6 000 children and young adults from 50 rural communities in Southern Armenia.

Today in kindergarten no. 47, newly renovated to be safer and more energy efficient, children and staff were welcomed by EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin, Head of Unit at DG NEAR (EU Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement) David Cullen, Head of Regional Representation for the South Caucasus at the European Investment Bank (EIB) Maciej Czura, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili, and First Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Levon Hovhannisyan. 

They were pleased to announce the completion of facility upgrades for earthquake safety and energy efficiency made under the Yerevan energy efficiency project. 15 kindergartens in all will receive comprehensive renovation for energy efficiency, while around 35 will benefit from horizontal energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

The renovation works included a complete seismic upgrade, structural reinforcement, integration of solar photovoltaic and water heating systems and improvements for energy efficiency. The kindergarten was also adapted for people with limited mobility to make it more accessible to children and staff with disabilities and improve social inclusion.

First Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Levon Hovhannisyan said, “We are here today to celebrate the completion of works on kindergarten no. 47, with more to come this year. Thanks to funding and expertise from the European Union, the EIB, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environmental Partnership (E5P) Fund and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), kindergartens in Yerevan will be warmer and more energy-efficient places for learning. The new energy efficiency measures will make our kindergartens more comfortable and safer for children and their educators. In addition to better learning and working conditions, the project will also result in much lower operating costs, which we can redeploy to make other improvements in the provision of public services. We continue to pour all our efforts and dedication into furthering new energy-efficient projects for Yerevan.” 

EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin added, “We are delighted to welcome these children and their teachers into the newly renovated, energy-efficient kindergarten no. 47 in Yerevan. As the largest contributor to the E5P Fund, the European Union is delighted to help create a safer, more inclusive and healthier environment for children, while helping Armenia use less energy and financial resources. Energy efficiency is an important pillar of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the European Union’s environmental goals. Together with the EIB and other Team Europe partners, we can achieve the targets set for the benefit of the Armenian population.”

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, responsible for operations in Armenia, explained, “The EIB, the bank of the European Union, is proud to have contributed to a safer future for Armenian children. One more kindergarten in Yerevan has now been made safer with a complete seismic upgrade, structural reinforcement and energy efficiency improvements. We have created a safe, healthy and comfortable environment for children to play and learn in. In parallel, the project will significantly reduce energy costs for Yerevan municipality, while furthering Armenian energy independence. The support this project received from the European Union, the EIB and Team Europe, and our partners in the E5P, UNDP and GCF clearly demonstrates the power of international cooperation, and highlights the social value of investments that address climate change and improve the lives of our citizens in the process. I would like to thank our partners in Yerevan municipality for the opportunity to increase the quality of living in the city, and I look forward to seeing new kindergartens renovated.”

Maciej Czura, EIB Head of Regional Representation for the South Caucasus, remarked, “It is particularly rewarding to work for these children, who are receiving a new, warm and comfortable learning space today. I would like to wish the children and staff of kindergarten no. 47 every success in their safer and greener building. Comprehensive energy efficiency, structural and accessibility improvements to Armenian kindergartens and the integration of renewable energy sources will help Yerevan municipality reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability and resilience this winter and beyond. This is a good example of efficient cooperation between the EIB, the European Union, the Armenian government, Team Europe and other stakeholders.”

Resident Representative of UNDP in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili said, “UNDP acknowledges the importance of retrofitting public buildings for energy efficiency. This ensures around a 50% improvement in their energy performance, helping reduce energy poverty, improve the comfort of beneficiaries and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with Armenia’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the CEPA. We are ready to continue our support in the second phase of the project.”

EIB Global and Team Europe to back the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region

EIB Global, the arm of the Bank focused on operations outside the European Union, also joined the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative that was officially launched today. This is a joint undertaking of the European Union, the EIB and the Member States Austria, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden, with Switzerland as an external partner. Its main objective is to foster the sustainable socioeconomic and institutional development of the Syunik region, taking coordinated action in line with the development priorities of regional and local authorities and the EU-Armenia flagship initiative focusing on the area.

Under this initiative, EIB Global and the European Union will provide financing and support to construct two rural educational and training centres in Southern Armenia. This investment in the Syunik province is planned to include free-of-charge after-school educational opportunities and access to missing services for up to 6 000 children and young adults (6 to 18 years of age) from 50 rural communities.