USAID is proud to partner with the countries of Europe and Eurasia. The region as a whole has undergone a historic transformation in a short time. Young countries have overcome tremendous social, political, and economic hurdles to chart a new course for their citizens, guided by free markets and democratic principles.
The Ararat Valley is a 1,300-kilometer swath of fertile land in western Armenia that lies in the shadow of Mount Ararat. The valley is known as the breadbasket of the country. “It feeds about half the population,” says Armen Varosyan, project director of USAID’s Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water (PURE Water) project. He explains that a clean and accessible groundwater reservoir fuels the region’s productivity. But, Varosyan says, “There is a problem.” Armenia’s natural groundwater is drying up.
Mane Minasyan lives in Vedi, a small town in the heart of the Ararat Valley in the west of Armenia. At 19, she is raising awareness of groundwater depletion and prompting behavior change in her community. Mane received her investigative journalism training from USAID’s Participatory Utilization and Resources Efficiency of Water (PURE Water) project, which is working to increase water productivity, efficiency, and quality in the Ararat Valley by enhancing citizen participation in water resources management.
On September 18, the USAID-funded Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water (PURE Water) project, and 12 project partner communities, in collaboration with Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia celebrated the World Water Monitoring Day.
On July 18, USAID and Coca-Cola HBC Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue their efforts to partner with the Armenian people to protect precious water resources. The new joint project will raise public awareness on the importance of water conservation, effective water use, and sustainable water management in the Ararat Valley.
