RED-NEO

SUPPORTED BY

USAID

DESCRIPTION

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The "Rural Economic Development-New Economic Opportunities” program will build upon current and
previous projects, initiatives and activities that the government of Armenia, the U.S. government and
USAID, and other donor and non-governmental organizations are implementing to address the
economic challenges in rural Armenia.
RED-NEO activities will promote inclusive, sustainable economic security and economic growth by
supporting at least 100 businesses in at least 60 communities. The program will accelerate the growth of
small- and medium-sized enterprises (including farms and cooperatives) in the regions; facilitate market
linkages between producers and buyers; and establish networks to promote local economic
development. It will foster the development of a competitive agriculture sector by improving the
performance of rural businesses and cooperatives, and their ability to meet quality standards.
RED-NEO is being implemented by CARD Foundation together with AM Partners Consulting and
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO.

PROJECT TARGET VALUE CHAINS

The project works in the following value chains:
- Horticultural production
- Fruit production,
- Berry production,
- Fruit and berry processing,
- Viticulture,
- Greenhouse production
- Nursery production
- Agricultural mechanization services,
- Agritourism (F&B, F2T) and apiculture

SMALL GRANTS COMPONENT

The program envisions small grant (SG) component to support its beneficiaries upgrade their production
capacities and escalate growth.
The conditions and limitations of getting a SG within the frames of RED-NEO program is presented
below.
- The grants will be disbursed in 60 communities of 10 regions of Armenia.
- Overall 100 small grants will be provided, which will be selected out of 3000 project
trained participants.

- The grants will be provided in kind only.
- The own investment of beneficiary will comprise at least 70% of total budget of
proposed SG project.
- The maximum amount of SG cannot exceed USD 15,000.
- The SG does not cover working capital (salaries, inputs, utility expenses), as well as
taxes, construction works, in apiculture – acquisition of beehives.

In the process of SG beneficiary selection, a priority will be given to entities which:

- have substantiate expertise in the field
- report high feasibility rate for the proposed project
- ensure increased incomes at their businesses and for the ones they cooperate with
- ensure increased sources of incomes for their businesses and the ones they cooperate
with
- will create new jobs and/or increase employment rates
- will involve women and youth in their operations
- will enhance market system development, horizontal and vertical integration in a given
value chain.

For example, if you are a fruit processor and you want to apply for SG for acquisition of
equipment, and thus to increase your production and marketing volumes, then your
application will be prioritized if you plan to collect additional fruits from other farmers,
or market their produce creating new income opportunities for the latter.

FARM SERVICE CENTERS

Within the frames of RED-NEO Program, it is envisioned to upgrade the capacities of all Farm Service
Centers (FSCs) to enhance horticultural service provision and access to inputs in all regions of Armenia.
To that end, FSCs will be equipped with agricultural machineries and equipment, as well as capacities
will be built to provide quality and on time services. So far the following FSCs have been upgraded:

- Achajur FSC
- Poqr Vedi
- Artashavan
- Aragatsavan
- Yeghegnadzor

Video

RED-NEO Project Launch Event

PROJECT GEOGRAPHY

The following communities are selected for project implementation:

VIDEO

NEWS

Nov 12 2019

Integrated pest management, as a way to reduce the usage of pesticides

On November 7, 2019, “Integrated pest management, as a way to reduce the usage of pesticides” training took place in CARD Foundation office, organized by the “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO, within the frames of “Rural economic development- and new opportunities” program. Gayane Avagyan was the speaker of the training․Among the participants were Farm Service Center representatives and beneficiary farmers. During the course, the main principles of IPM, its’ usage in agricultural crop cultivation technology and the use of PERSUAP-approved pesticides in IPM were discussed. The course ended with a question-answer discussion on the existing problems and possible solutions.

Apr 23 2019

“Rural Economic Development-New Economic Opportunities” Project launch event

On April 22, 2019, USAID, the Center for Agribusiness & Rural Development (CARD), and partners marked the official launch of the new Rural Economic Development – New Economic Opportunities (RED-NEO) Program in Armenia. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne M. Tracy, and representative of the Armenian Government delivered opening remarks at the kick-off event. Ambassador Tracy stressed the importance of rural economic and agriculture sector development to ensure broad based economic growth and regional development in Armenia. The project’s Chief of Party Susanna Khachatryan presented the goals and objectives of the project, which are designed to boost rural economic development in Armenia through RED-NEO Program. The RED-NEO program will build upon current and previous project...

Jul 16 2019

Agricultural machinery demonstration/practical training

In the frames of the USAID funded "Rural Economic Development – New Economic Opportunities" program, agricultural machinery demonstration/ practical training was conducted on the importance of land quality improvement and preservation through the application of modern agricultural machinery. Participants were familiarized with the uses and key advantages of modern machinery and their systems. Special emphasis was paid on the safety procedures to be followed during the operation of farm machinery. A comparison was done between cultivation with plough and power harrow, their differences, advantages, effectiveness and efficiency. The disadvantages of a late-season burn were highlighted by the expert. This kind of practice harms the soil and remove volatile n...

JOBS

The last vacancy

Consultant for Gender Based Violence and Child Labor Trafficking

Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC)

The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia

USDA FAS

Heifer International