SYC organized water monitoring activities in the Rivers Debed, Dzoraget and Pambak as a part of World Water Monitoring Day events organized around the world. The monitoring tests had information collecting as well as educational purposes. SYC organized these activities annually.

Challenge: Problems identified in Debed basin in northern Armenia particularly in Stepanavan and Tashir include a lack of information and awareness about the environmental issues of Debed River basin. As a consequence, the local population continues contaminating the river by disposing their garbage directly into the river. It is necessary to promote environmental understanding in the region. This activity is part of a small grant program being implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) as part of the USAID Water Management in the South Caucasus project that implemented an integrated planning process for increased stakeholder involvement in water issues in the Debed River basin in northern Armenia.

Activities and Results: Two three-day training courses were organized for 120 students and six seminars were organized for 250 high school students for six three schools of Tashir and the adjacent villages. About 1,000 colored calendars, 500 children’s books, and 500 coloring books were published and provided to day-care centers, schools, libraries, and NGOs. A 10-minute video film was developed and provided to educational institutions and aired on local television. About 1,000 booklets entitled “Water Pollution and Our Health” were published. Three environmental clips on water saving, pollution, and health threats were aired on local television. Round table discussions on environmental education were attended by school teachers, local NGOs, and governmental institutions.

Stepanavan Youth Center initiated and developed a proposal for local library in Stepanavan to develop its capacity and provide new services for local population. SYC provided technical and managerial support to the library to start the project which aimed to develop informational accessibility for inhabitants of Stepanavan, increase access to publications and modern informational sources. The project was financed by Open Society Institute.